GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has recognized students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Belize for their interest in the agricultural sector, as efforts continue to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 percent by the end of this year.
Students of Georgetown High School, St Vincent and the Grenadines at the 2024 edition of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA)The students from the Georgetown High School of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mopan Technical High School of Belize, and Pleasantville Secondary School of Trinidad and Tobago, took the top three prizes respectively in the CARICOM High School Agriculture Video Competition 2024.
The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that the competition was held to generate interest in agriculture at the secondary school level, as the region works towards reducing its food import bill by 25 percent by the end of this year. It said there were were 43 submissions from high schools across the region.
Senior Economic Adviser to the CARICOM Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Economic Integration, Innovation and Development Directorate, Dr. Wendell Samuel, in congratulating the winners, said the videos showed the students’ creativity, passion, commitment to excellence and dedication in shaping the future of agriculture in the region.
“Your innovative videos have demonstrated the bold ideas, opportunities and solutions in agriculture that can shape a brighter, more sustainable future for the Caribbean. You are all trailblazers, and we celebrate your achievement. Well done,” Samuel said.
The Assistant Secretary-General said that it is evident that young people are not only thinking about the future but are actively shaping it.
“The Caribbean Community has made it a priority to achieve the 25 by 2025 regional food and nutrition security goals, which are focused on enhancing food security, increasing the sustainability of our food systems, and promoting resilience across our region.
“We know that we cannot reach these ambitious goals without the creativity, innovation, and the energy of young people like you. You are not just the future of agriculture, you are the present,” he said.
Samuel also acknowledged the “invaluable contribution” of the school teachers who provided support and mentorship, adding “you are the guides who encourage curiosity, nurture talent and champion the potential of youth. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to this important cause.”
Director, External and Institutional Relations of the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Beverly Best, who addressed the ceremony, praised the students for their creativity, dedication and hard work.
“We trust this is just the beginning of your journey to greatness, as we urge you to keep pushing boundaries to inspire and captivate audiences – especially other young people, by telling powerful stories about the endless possibilities of this sector.”
Best, who on behalf of IICA Director General, Dr Manuel Otero, extended congratulations to all stakeholders, said that IICA believes that by actively engaging the youth, the Caribbean region will be better equipped to achieve the objectives of the 25 by 2025 food security initiative.
She said they will also play a role in revitalising local economies; drive innovation and employment; promote entrepreneurship and rural wealth, opportunities; and enhance the adoption of new technologies needed to competitively increase agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience.
“In other words, we at IICA are strong proponents of the adage ‘Nothing for Youth, Without Youth,” Best said.
The CARICOM Secretariat said that the next edition of the competition will be held in 2025.
