Bitter In Your Mouth

 To stand out and be counted! The burdens carried by our youths are heavy. What weighs down even more upon our shoulders is the ignorance and general unwillingness of some to mould, support and encourage our future leaders. I met a young man and I was moved to tears by this plight. This post meets me angered, confused and disheartened.

     Reynaldo, unlike most young men of my island seeks independence. Not to contribute to the dependency syndrome pandemic. Realizing the importance of food security in any society, this true Agrifootsoldier, decided to make his contribution to society at the most basic level- food production. He sought the teaching of farming veterans on the island  and, if that was not enough, acquired training in agriculture in the Youth Apprenticeship Programme in Agriculture.

     Excited and rearing to go, this graduate found himself caught in the web of  bureaucracy. Where was he going to farm? Where was he going to source the much needed capital to set up his holdings? Without legal titles to any lands he is unable to move forward. The red-tapes within the system and lack of internal networking among Divisions has left this soldier down and despondent. For Tobago agriculture to improve, we must find a way to eliminate the unnecessary delay and bridge the gap as we fight for those who are willing to fight for country and self.

     In our world today, most of our youths can be considered 'at risk'. Let us encourage our young ones to climb out of the barrel and contribute meaningfully to societies. To fight this illness I prescribe a cup of Zebapique tea.

Photo courtesy Google

Let's Drink to That!

     There is something extraordinary in being a West Indian. There are so many things that we ought to be proud of. We are a unique people with similarities that make us different and stand out from the rest. I am West Indian!
 
   For the next few blogs, in addition to my weekly post about issues regarding the sector, I am seeking to highlight the efforts made by our "Agrifootsoldiers" the region over. From the Bahamas to Guyana, I find and celebrate our young agriculturists for believing in self and sector.
 
   Join with me and sip on some Bush Tea as we pay tribute to our Youths In and For Agriculture.

I Fight !

   With World Food Day 2013 fast approaching, agriculturists, stakeholders and consumers, have their eyes focused on the Agricultural sector once  again.  The theme for this year's celebration as announced by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations "Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition, is very thought provoking.

     Food systems speak to every detail that goes into the production and consumption of food. The global population has been estimated to reach figures of over nine billion in the year 2050. In 2013, it is now very necessary that in our thrust to achieve food security, we function in a manner that does not bring about the depletion or destruction of our resources, upon which we so heavily rely.

     In the past few decades a global stance was taken to initiate a  change in the way we protect our environment. From recycling to watershed management, efforts are being made to reduce our carbon footprints. We within this sector, are called upon to bring about this change. We need be conscious of the way we grow, process, package, transport, store,consume and dispose of our food. As agriculturists, it is important that we adopt healthy food systems and encourage those around us to do the same.
 
   As we do all within our power to fight hunger and alleviate poverty, we must do so in a manner that is sustainable and gives hope to posterity. Let us pool our resources and have meaningful dialogue over a cup of Lime-bud Tea!

Crop is Over!

   I boarded the airline in Barbados, destination homeward bound. I was happy to go home. Excited. Agriculture never felt this good to me.

   I sat on my farm plot this morning as I watched my field of melon being irrigated and I asked myself: How can I do more in achieving food security? How am I going to be apart of the movement that works towards "Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition"- theme of World Food Day 2013. As the ideas flowed in, the need for cooperation cannot be emphasized enough. We need to build and maintain networks if we are to affect a change regionally.

   The training received in ICTS in Agriculture has allowed me to see all that can be achieved in this very dynamic sector. We need cooperation and human effort to bring about this change. To be as beacons and light the way for self and others to follow.

   As the curtains come down in Barbados, we prepare a stage for a bigger, better performance. One where young people take leading roles in this sector. The Crop may be Over in Barbados but the work has begun across the Caribbean.
   So as we ready ourselves to take up the mantle let us reflect with a cup of  Vervine Tea!!

 

Picture taken from quentrall.com