11. FAO-IFAD - Agripreneurship

LAUNCH AND POLICY DIALOGUE

REGIONAL FAO-IFAD ProjectSTRENGHENING DECENT RURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN IN THE CARIBBEAN

7 - 9 September 2015 Bridgetown, Barbados

KAREEM PAYNEPROJECT MANAGERYOUTH AGRI-PRENEURSHIP PROGRAMMEMINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD,FISHERIES AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

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Background And Context

Project financed by the EU-funded Human Resource Development Strategy

About the Youth Agri-preneurship Incubator Programme

• The Youth Agri-preneurship Incubator Programme is a programme funded by the European Union, through the Human Resource Development Strategy of Barbados, executed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management. The programme is geared towards training youth in the concept and practice of agri-business to address some of the overarching objectives of Barbados such as reducing unemployment and the food import bill.

Objectives of the Programme

• To encourage young people to recognize agriculture as a viable option for employment and business opportunities.

• To reduce unemployment and the rate of poverty among young people and to empower them

• To demonstrate to young people, the link between agriculture and enhancement of the environment

• To demonstrate and expose the target group to the modern techniques of agricultural production

• To expose young people to risk management techniques in business, particularly agriculture

Expected Outcomes

• A significant change in the perception among young persons with respect to agriculture

• A measurable increase in the use of scientific techniques in agriculture

• An increase in the confidence of financial institutions in assisting young people who have the desire to develop the business of agriculture

• An increase in the contribution of agriculture to GDP in absolute terms

Background and Justification

• Historical Context of Agriculture in Barbados - Barbados predominantly focused on agriculture in the 17TH Century. - As recent as the 1970s, agriculture contributed approximately one third of the nation’s GDP

• Why Focus on Youth? - Large population/percentage of youth in the Caribbean. - Vulnerable but very important group. • The importance of Entrepreneurship. - Economic Growth - Diversified Economy

Pillars of the Programme

Organic

•Permaculture•Composting•Crop Rotation

Business

• Business Plan Development• Financing Your Business• Marketing

Research

• Different Types of Research?• Application of Research in Agriculture• Analysis and Presentation of Data

Science and Technology

• Technologies Used in Aquaponics• Technologies Used in Animal Husbandry• Technologies used Renewable Energy Processing

Participant Selection Process

• Promotional campaign– Social Media– Mornin’ Barbados– Government Information Service– Print Media– BMEX– Sensitisation Workshops

• Over forty applicants

• Interview process

Composition of Class

• 14 Males• 9 Females• Various Academic

Backgrounds• Various Agricultural Interests• Small Business Owners

Main Outputs

• Demonstration Farm• Agricultural Cooperative

The State of Youth Employment and Participation in Agriculture????

• Positive Outlook.• Need for a More Synergized Approach. • Need for Stakeholder Support.

THANK YOU