KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, has applauded the island’s 4-H Clubs for their work in preparing young people to pursue careers in the agriculture industry and contributing to the country’s efforts to achieve food security.

Speaking at the Clubs’ National Achievement Exposition held at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon recently, the Minister said that the organisation, through its various training initiatives, is empowering generations of agricultural scientists, processors, and entrepreneurs.

“It is through the 4-H Clubs that young people are getting the opportunity to be exposed, trained [and] given the requisite skills, so that you can be the next generation of leaders,” he said, while encouraging the young people to make the best use of the opportunities being provided.

According to a release, Charles Jr said that the 4-H movement remains an integral part of the Ministry’s quest to strengthen the agricultural sector and said he intends to meet with agriculture teachers across the island to have their input in the country’s food security programme.

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs is the leading youth training organisation with more than 105,000 members across Jamaica. It has a mandate to mobilise, educate and train young persons, ages five to 25 years, in agriculture, homemaking, leadership and social skills, which will prepare them for or influence them into careers in agriculture and agro-related occupations.

The movement seeks to provide a cadre of trained young leaders, capable of contributing to national development.

Clubs are found in schools, churches, communities, and special youth facilities.