Five Groups that are a part of the Youth Agri-entrepreneurship for rural
development project, received equipment totaling approximately eighty-seven
thousand dollars (EC$87000) to help boost their production in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines.
A handing over ceremony was held at the fisheries conference room on Friday 26 th
January 2024, where the groups received industrial blenders, industrial stoves, oil
extractors, stainless steel strainers, pot sets among other things.
Minister of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs,
Youth, Housing, and Informal Human Settlement Hon. Orando Brewster, urged the
groups to make use of the equipment and he’s expecting to see more produce and
production happening due to these additional tools.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Saboto Caesar says that his government has taken
the initiative to achieve the target set by CARICOM of reducing the food import
bill by 25% by the year 2025 and projects like these contribute to the national
effort.
He also stated that expects to see products of the different groups in shops and
supermarkets throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines and in neighboring
Caribbean islands.
The Agriculture Minister also mentioned that over 1000 businesses would be
registered involving upcoming young entrepreneurs.
A National Backyard Supply Chain Programme, which will be launched in
February, according to Minister Caesar, would encourage more people to engage in
backyard farming and food production.
The groups that received equipment are: Infusiion.co, Chateau Pazzion, Bequia
Dynamic Investors, IYAMCO, and YAMCO.