Farm Queen wants more youth, women in agriculture

Farm Queen Samantha McLean has expressed the desire to see more women and youth in agriculture.

"As you know, our youths not only represent Jamaica in terms of sports, entertainment and academics, but we need them to represent in agriculture more because food security is a big thing and we must secure our future," the Manchester native said.

McLean spoke with THE STAR the Denbigh Agricultural Industrial and Food Show 2024. The event was held at Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre, White Marl, St Catherine last Friday.

The Government has been pushing to include women, youth and persons with disabilities in agricultural production. In May, portfolio minister Floyd Green said 25 per cent of all new agro-park lands will be reserved for assignment to women, youth, and persons with disabilities. He indicated that $390 million will be set aside for young farmers under the ministry's Production Incentive Programme.

McLean, who was crowned Farm Queen at last year's Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, said it was destined for her to become involved in the agricultural sector as both her parents and grandparents are farmers.

"I have had that interaction from a tender age and then I moved on to high school, where I studied agriculture at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level, and then I later went to do agriculture and business management. Currently, I am out of production, but prior to now I cultivated sweet peppers, carrots, spices, and so on," she said.

In the meantime, Owen Dobson, second vice-president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, said he is encouraged by the extent to which women and youth have been involved in agriculture.

"More young people are getting involved, especially in the small areas. We are talking about persons from age 35 and under. We are seeing teenagers getting involved in goat rearing. I have gone to most of the parish agricultural shows and observed, and there are lots of small farmers there," he said.

Dobson noted that the youth and women contributing to the sector can only do good for the economy, as less money will be spent on importation.

The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show is slated to take place from August 4 to 6.