Green commits to new efforts to nurture next generation of agricultural leaders
Published:Monday | August 4, 2025 | 12:07 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
Citing youth as both the face and future of agriculture, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green has announced a raft of initiatives aimed at transforming young Jamaicans’ participation in the sector.
Speaking on day two of the 71st staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Clarendon on Saturday, Green emphasised the Government’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders.
“As you move around, you will recognise that the face of agriculture is changing ... is evolving,” Green told attendees during his keynote address, referencing displays and presentations from the youth in agriculture village.
Among the key initiatives to bolster youth in agriculture, Green said, is the awarding of scholarships to the top-performing boy and girl in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) agricultural science examinations in each parish. These students will receive full scholarships for tertiary studies in agriculture education.
“What I find is that the young people in high school who do excellently in agricultural science end up elsewhere. If you’re the best and brightest in agricultural science at the secondary level, we want you to stay in agriculture,” he added.
“And that is why, starting this year, the top boy and top girl in every parish will get a full scholarship for tertiary education right here in Jamaica,” Green said.
Green also announced that four full scholarships will be made available to educators or prospective educators who wish to pursue studies in agriculture education.
“What I have found is that those who have a passion for agriculture had great agriculture teachers,” said Green, while paying homage to his own former teachers.
Currently, 25 per cent of land in Jamaica’s agro-parks is designated for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. However, Green said access has remained a barrier for many, especially youth, because of high financial entry requirements. He outlined measures the Government is taking to address these challenges.
“I went out and listened to my young people,” Green said. “They said, ‘Well done, Minister. Good move. We see you’ve reserved the land, but we still can’t access it because the requirements – what we have to prove to get that contract – are too high.’”
PROJECT FUNDING
In response, Green announced that young applicants will now be required to provide only 30 per cent of project funding, down from the previous 70 per cent. Additionally, lease fees for the first two years will be reduced by half.
“We’re saying to our young people, for your first two years, we’re cutting your lease in half. We’re also saying, instead of proving to us that you have 70 per cent of the money to start, come with 30 per cent and you’ll get your lease.”
Further incentives include land preparation and input support – up to two acres – free of cost for the first two years.
The minister also highlighted that funding of the National Agribusiness Pitch Competition had been increased from $2.7 billion to $5 billion, a move he said underscores the Government’s growing commitment to support youth entrepreneurship in agriculture.
The pitch competition, which is operated through the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, in partnership with the HEART/NSTA Trust, serves as a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their agribusiness ventures. It falls under the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP), which provides entrepreneurial training to young Jamaicans in areas such as business development, management, and best practices in agriculture.
“We want to give more support to the young people who are taking agriculture seriously,” Green declared.
Recognising the challenges agricultural science graduates face in the job market because of a lack of experience, Green shared that the Government will be working more closely with the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE). Graduates will be enrolled in a postgraduate initiative designed to provide hands-on experience and facilitate a smoother transition into the workforce.
Green concluded that the initiatives were designed to make agriculture not only accessible, but aspirational for Jamaica’s youth.