Environment Must Be Created for Young People to View Agriculture as Rewarding Career – PM

Caribbean countries must create an environment in which young people increasingly view agriculture as an industry capable of generating rewarding careers, entrepreneurship and wealth, says Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

Addressing the opening of the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), at the Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Trelawny, on Sunday (September 27), he said the region has a generation of young people equipped with education, technological skills and entrepreneurial ambition who can help to transform the sector.

“We must create the conditions in which they can see farming, agro-processing, and agricultural technology as viable and rewarding careers,” Dr. Holness emphasised.

He said attracting young people to the sector will require improving their access to critical resources and opportunities.

“This means improving access to land, financing, modern equipment, technical training, and reliable markets,” Dr. Holness said.

He pointed out that opportunities extend beyond primary production and are available throughout the agricultural value chain. These include logistics, processing, packaging, marketing and distribution.

“We must move beyond the traditional perception of agriculture as simply an occupation and recognise it as an industry with considerable potential for innovation, enterprise, and wealth creation,” the Prime Minister emphasised.

Dr. Holness further underscored that this shift is important to unlocking the Caribbean’s agricultural potential and building an industry capable of contributing more significantly to economic growth.

He noted that the region possesses considerable agricultural talent and entrepreneurial capacity, pointing to the achievements of farmers as evidence of what is possible when ingenuity is supported by appropriate investment and public policy.

Jamaica, he noted, has secured the CARICOM Farmer of the Year title for five consecutive stagings of the event, including 2026.

“This record demonstrates the considerable talent and entrepreneurial capacity within our agricultural communities,” Dr. Holness said.

“It is a reminder of what our region can accomplish when the ingenuity of our farmers is supported by appropriate investment, technology, and public policy,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the region’s agricultural potential can be realised through sustained efforts to encourage enterprise and create the conditions necessary for producers to succeed.

He said the desired outcome should be an agricultural industry that generates greater prosperity for farmers and creates rewarding opportunities for young people.