Last Updated on August 25, 2024, 12:29 PM AST by Anthony Morris
Basseterre, St Kitts: The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with Project Elevate, has launched an initiative ‘Harvesting Hope,’ that aims to engage youth in agriculture and build stronger communities.
This event initiative has marked the beginning of the journey for participants who have chosen agriculture as their skill development focus.
Over the course of six months, participants have actively engaged in Life Skills and Financial Literacy Training, gaining necessity things for personal growth and contributing positively to society.
This training lays a solid foundation for discipline, work ethic, and success in small business ventures, further skill development, and job placements, shaping a generation of responsible, community-minded individuals.
Shaune Clarke, Deputy Director of Agriculture and Ian Chapman of Crop Management, shared insights into available programmes, addressed the concerns of the participants, and gathered feedback to enhance their support.
Key programmes that they highlighted included: St Kitts-Nevis 25 by 25 Agenda and Safe Agriculture Programmes, which aim to boost local food production and reduce import rate dependency by 25% by 2025.
Coordinator Alicia Collins also played a vital role in supporting participants and facilitating the programme, which is set to begin in the upcoming week.
Participants are eager to work on their farms and to mentor and inspire younger community members as well. They envision agriculture as a means of fostering positive engagement, self-reliance, community integration, and family sustainability.
The “Harvesting Hope” initiative reflects a broader effort to create opportunities for youth, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society.
By cultivating purpose, responsibility, and a sense of belonging, this programme aims to nurture a more resilient and unified community.
The initiative “Harvesting Hope” is expected to yield both agricultural success and stronger, more connected communities and a brighter future for St. Kitts and Nevis.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
