Advisor to Government on Poverty Eradication and the Millennium Development Goals, Undene Whittaker ( right), briefing the first group of participants in the "Youth in Agriculture" project at the Animal Nutrition Unit in the Pine yesterday.

by JUSTIN MARVILLE

FIFTEEN YOUNG PEOPLE have been given the chance to empower themselves through agriculture.

In partnership with the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP), Advisor to Government on Poverty Eradication and the Millennium Development Goals, Undene Whittaker launched the Youth In Agriculture project yesterday at the Animal Nutrition Unit on Pine Plantation Road, St Michael.

The project was initially conceptualised by Whittaker to provide the youth with working skills while increasing their awareness of the importance of subsistence agriculture. These young workers will be allowed to reap the produce from their efforts.

Youth In Agriculture allows for the harvesting of low maintenance and short term crops such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, beans and cassava and the rearing of animals, for a stipend of $150 a week.

Whittaker said the option of going on to do a two-year diploma at SJPP after gaining certification in the one-year programme has also been provided to those who intend to further their interests in agriculture.

"I know that several young people, if given an opportunity, will make good for themselves," said Whittaker while speaking to seven of the participants on the land provided by 4H in Pinelands, St Michael.

Those comments were also supported by the head of the Division of Agriculture at SJPP, Hector Belle, who has been given the responsibility of supervising the field work of the programme.

"We at SJPP are always willing to provide training in different disciplines," said Belle, who wants to see those chosen for the programme prepared to take up the responsibility of managing a farm once land is available for them."