4-H Clubs begin selection of young farmers for Amity Hall Agro-Park
THE Jamaica 4-H Clubs yesterday began their selection process for prospective young farmers to be placed for work at the Amity Hall Agro-Park facility in St Catherine.
Through their Youth in Farming Initiative, the youth training organisation will select suitably qualified youngsters wishing to become a part of the Agro-Park initiative which was announced recently by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Roger Clarke.
According to Ronald Blake, acting executive director of the 4-H Clubs, this move is part of the partnership mandated by the agriculture ministry and includes the Agro Investment Corporation (AIC) and the College of Agriculture, Science and Education, (CASE).
“Over the last few weeks, we have been reaching out to interested young people via several media as well as at the recently concluded Denbigh Agricultural Show,” he said.
The interviews will see some 20 interested persons selected for five-acre plots to plant vegetable crops including onion, carrots, cucumber, pumpkin as well as Aloe Vera.
Some 100 acres of land are being allocated at Amity Hall.
Garfield Ewart, The 4-H Clubs director of field services and economic development, noted that more than 35 persons have expressed their interest.
“Interestingly, 40 per cent of these persons are females,” he said.
“We are looking specifically at the 18 to 33 years age group,” he added.
Ewart noted that names were also submitted through the Ebony Park HEART Academy as well as CASE. Parish development officers, particularly those working in St Catherine where the agro-park is located, have also submitted names,.
Following the interviews, names of selected individuals will be submitted to the AIC after which allocation of land is expected to take place.
The Jamaica 4-H Clubs form the youth training arm of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and have a membership of 73,000 islandwide. Their mandate is to train young people from ages nine to 25 in agriculture, home economics, environmental awareness, leadership, social skills and healthy lifestyle.
