LAUNCH AND POLICY DIALOGUE

REGIONAL FAO-IFAD ProjectSTRENGHENING DECENT RURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN IN THE CARIBBEAN

7 - 9 September 2015Bridgetown, Barbados

My Experience as a Youth in AgricultureMs Kristina Adams / Adams Aquafarm Ltd

Farmer Profile

Ms. Kristina Adams

• Manager/Owner of Adams Aquafarm Ltd– Red Tilapia and Red Claw Crayfish

– Local market (Barbados)

– Export in the near future

Share My Experience as a …

–Youth

–Entrepreneur

–Farmer

Youth in Agriculture

Overview: Major Challenges Experienced by Youth

• STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH AGRICULTURE

• EDUCATION

• FINANCING

• ACCESS TO LAND

• ACCESS TO MARKETS

• USE OF NEW TECHNOLGY/AGROTOURISM/GREEN BUSINESS

STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH AGRICULTURE

• As a young person you are not encouraged to be a farmer …

• You are told to get a better job than farming

• You are told that farming is for poor uneducated people

• Vs.

EDUCATION

• Courses are not appealing to youth

– Limited funding

– Offer only basic training

– Don’t focus on new technology

– Few advanced or science level courses

Vs.

FINANCING

• Cannot qualify for loans

• Amounts are small

• Need collateral

ACCESS TO LAND

• Tourism and housing get the best land

• Most available land is in remote undeveloped areas

– Security is an issue

– Poor services / utilities

ACCESS TO MARKETS

• Public does not support locally produced food

• Markets tend to be dominated by chains and companies

– How do you compete with cheaper imported products

– You are new and cant even get noticed

USE OF NEW TECHNOLGY/AGROTOURISM/GREEN BUSINESS

• Extremely attractive….

• BUT … – Too expensive – Small loans do not give you enough working capital– No local training

• Cannot afford to go to overseas workshops

I HAVE NO OPTIONS …WHAT DO I DO???

FARMING IS A BUISNESS

SOLUTIONS

1. AGRI-PRENEURSHIP

– Public appearance

– Public speaking

– Knowledge of accounting

– Business plan

SOLUTIONS

2. OPPOURTUNITIES FOR INVESTORS

– Create links between agri-preneurs and investors

Young Farmer Investor

No money Money

Time Retire/retired

Energy Experience

Passion Mentor

Willing to work hard Contacts

Wants to make profit Wants to make profit

SOLUTIONS

3. HIGER EDUCATION

– Workshops

– Internships

– Overseas tours (virtual)

SOLUTIONS

4. PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF LOCAL PRODUCTS

– Branding

• Awareness of benefits

• Local support

– Public awareness

• Tours/Transparency

• Social media

SOLUTIONS

5. AGROTOURISM LINKAGES

– Earns revenue

• Tours

• Workshops

• Interactive session

Way Forward

• Engage Youth

– Agri-preneurship

– New Technology

– Role models to follow

Way Forward

• Create Opportunities

– Investment

– Training

– Agri-Business Training

– Mentoring

– Funding

Way Forward

• Public Awareness

– Gain support from

consumers

– Easier market access

– Pride and respect for

farmers

THANK YOU