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Home | Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Launches National AgVocate Council
The newly appointed 11-member National AgVocate Council along with Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw (centre); Member of Parliament, St. Elizabeth South Western, Floyd Green (3rd left); Executive Director, Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Dr. Ronald Blake (left, back row); Jamaica 4-H Clubs Chairman, Collin Virgo (2nd right, back row); and other officials of the Agriculture Ministry. Members of the AgVocate Council will serve for a period of two years and advocate for youth on issues relating to their operations and development within the agriculture and fisheries sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, on Wednesday, launched the National Agvocate Council tasked with advocating on issues regarding the development of youth across multiple areas within the agriculture and fisheries sector.
The 11-member council consists of youth between 18-35 years of age who will have an opportunity to dialogue with the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister through scheduled meetings, allowing them to deliberate on issues; as well as to offer guidance on policies relating to youth in agriculture.
The newly minted members of the council will serve for a period of two years. Throughout their tenure, their advocacy efforts will also include developing campaigns to encourage more youth involvement in agriculture.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, lauded the initiative which was the brain child of Member of Parliament, Floyd Green, as one that demonstrates the realization that change starts with our youth, and that they are capable of aiding government representatives with policies that are beneficial to them.
“With this Agvocate Council, the Government of Jamaica aims to create key influencers in the strategic direction of agriculture, youth engagement and enable young people to shape sustainable food systems,” stated Shaw.
This move to establish such a council, Shaw said, is in alignment with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the rights of the child recognizing children and young people’s right to participate in policy decisions that affect them.
Among the criteria for membership in the council were involvement in agriculture and fisheries through farming, fishing and being a student of agriculture or a clubite of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs. Additionally, experience in advocacy specifically on agriculture or social issues was also another major determinant.
The council members include:
Chadwade Anderson, Sutanya Ellington and Derron Thompson, graduates of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology; Crystal Haye and Kuwyne Edwards, Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme participants; Shanique Shand, member of the Jamaica Agricultural Society; Toni-Ann Lalor, Farm Queen and youth farmer; Khalil Brown, Animal Nutritionist; Vanessa Miller, graduate of the Ebony Park HEART Academy; Terry Ann Raynor, youth farmer of livestock production and apiculture and Sakeem Leslie, student of Agro Processing and Business Management at Knox Community College.
The Agovocate Council will be spearheaded by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, the youth arm of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
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