21
YAPA
Participants
Caroni - 3 trainees
St. George West - 5 trainees
St. George East - 4 trainees
St. Andrew/St. David - 4 trainees
Field Investigation of pests and diseases for agriculture crops inclusive of
watermelon, lettuce, peppers, christophene, sweet potato, cassava
Conservation and Preservation of Buffalypso
– the amount of $1.0 million
was utilised for the Construction of corrals and pens and for hiring labourers
for the daily routine management of buffalo herds by Rio Claro Industries
Limited.
Rehabilitation of Cocoa Industry
– an investment in the amount of $1
million was utilised for work on the Construction of the Cocoa Office, La
Reunion 2
nd
Phase. Construction of walls and roof, as well as the
establishment and maintenance of a cocoa seed garden on two (2) hectares
were undertaken focusing on propagation and planting of seeds.
Mandatory Citrus Quality Programme
- Procurement and installation of
shelving for store rooms and Library have been completed for the citrus
facility to produce disease free plants under this programme. These disease
free plants will be provided to farmers to ensure the production of safe,
healthy and high quality crops.
Rehabilitation of Marper Farm
- Improvements to infrastructure have been
undertaken at Marper Farm as a site of germplasm conservation for cocoa
and fruit crops. Works continued during 2013, for the refurbishment of the
soil shed, propagation shed, installation of chain link fence to secure the
propagation area and refurbishment of the workers facility.
Employment Creation
56.
Making agriculture a viable and competitive sector requires creating the impetus
for employment. Government‟s youth employment strategy for the agriculture sector is
geared towards encouraging persons in skill development in several in aspects of farm
management, crop cultivation and livestock production so as to stimulate interest to
become engaged in commercial farming as a competitive and profitable career. In this
regard, the amount of $5 million was spent to promote continuation of the following
programmes:
the
Youth
Apprenticeship
Programme
in
Agriculture
(YAPA) where youths between
the ages of 18-25 years are
exposed
to
technological
knowledge and skills involved in
the business of agriculture. In
2013 sixteen (16) persons participated in this programme
Young Professionals in Agricultural Development and Mentoring
Programme – through the University of the West Indies tertiary level
graduates participated in this mentorship programme that focused on,
primary production, agro-processing, agricultural academic development and
