Focus on Youth in Agriculture at Denbigh

The youth and their involvement in the local agricultural sector will take centre stage on Monday, August 5, at the annual Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, in Clarendon. It is dubbed: National Youth in Agriculture Day.

The Youth in Agriculture programme is spearheaded by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs and will take the form of a village, under the theme: ‘Plant a Seed for the Children We Feed’.

“The theme was chosen in an effort to highlight some useful solutions to the National School Feeding Programme and create a positive impact on issues relating to climate change,” President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, told  JIS News at a recent ‘Think Tank’.

“This village will promote and develop excellence in agriculture among youth and create an awareness of the need to improve agricultural activities in order to ensure food security and economic stability in the country. It will also highlight youth involvement in agriculture by the setting up of displays and having youth participate in various agricultural competitive events,” he added.

He pointed out that because the hosting day for Youth in Agriculture is Monday, August 5, which is a normal working day, telecoms company, Digicel, as part of their sponsorship and back-to-school promotion, has committed to assist with the transportation of 10,000 children to Denbigh on that day.

The main highlight of the village will be the Food and Technology competition, which will feature a lunch box concept. This concept seeks to encourage the preparation of a healthy lunch and snacks for school children.  It will focus on the use of various local produce to prepare and present economical food items.

Participants from various institutions, such as the 4-H Clubs, through their community and church clubs; the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Ebony Park HEART Academy, Sydney Pagon Agricultural School, and Knox Community College are expected to present a packed lunch box using local produce, including ground provisions, which can be prepared from home for a child to take to school.  They will compete for cash prizes and trophies.

Other highlights of the village will be the public speaking, essay, school garden and agriculture quiz competitions.

Speaking to JIS News, Public Relations and Marketing Manager at the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Karelle McCormack, said the Youth in Agriculture Programme was established in 1990. The programme was introduced to facilitate activities that encourage youth involvement in agriculture through study and the subsequent practice of agriculture as a profession.

The 2013 Denbigh Industrial, Agricultural and Food Show will be held from Sunday, August 4 to Tuesday, August 7, under the theme ‘Eat What You Grow…Grow What You Eat’.

Gates will open daily at 8:00 a.m. and admission is $700 for adults and $300 for children.