KINGSTON, Jamaica – Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr, says that the Government wants young Jamaicans to increase their involvement in agricultural activities.

“As such, the Agro-Invest Corporation (AIC) and the Jamaica 4-H Clubs have partnered to formulate and execute the Youth in Agriculture (land lease) programme,” Charles told the House of Representatives in a statement earlier today (September 7).

He said that through the programme, eligible youth farmers have been selected to access lands provided by the AIC.

In collaboration with other stakeholder agencies, including RADA and National Irrigation Commission (NIC), the youth farmers have been provided with technical support, market linkages and irrigation solutions to facilitate sustainable agricultural projects that are profitable, Charles Jr said.

He added that, so far, the Ministry has issued 70 leases for agro parks located across the island. In the first instance of distribution, some twenty leases went to youth farmers, and 20 leases went to investors.

He said that, currently, there are 1,403.52 hectares of land in production for the Agro Parks and Production Zones for the month of June, 2022.

“In addition to receiving their lease contracts, the youth farmers also received guidance on input suppliers, cash crops and tubers (pineapple, onion, sweet potato, Irish potato, and hot peppers) and agro-processing, among other things,” Charles Jr said.

He said that the Youth in Agriculture (land lease) programme, once fully implemented, will increase access to government-owned Agro-Park and Production Zone lands for eligible young farmers.

He also pointed to improved economic and social status of the youth, increased agribusiness knowledge and entrepreneurial skills among young farmers, focus on youth, technology and the formation of clusters led by youth to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration in agribusiness activities and create sustainable linkages between young farmers and stakeholders.