One hundred and seventy young people between the ages of 16 and 35 graduated from the Shade House Production and Management and Aquaculture courses offered by the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service.
University of the West Indies Deputy Dean of Outreach and Internationalisation, Dr. Ronald Roopnarine, implored the graduates to continue on the journey that they embarked on over the course of the programme.
Though agriculture has not historically gained much respect as a viable career option, Dr. Roopnarine said the newly-certified young persons have the power to change that perception.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Avinash Singh, urged the students to continue to create an impact on the agriculture sector and the thousands of other young people who are inspired by their journeys.
Minister of Youth Development and National Service, Foster Cummings, said that by the end of this year, the goal set of educating 1,500 young persons by 2025 will be met. He recommitted the Government’s intention of investing in the future generations of farmers.
Among the 170 graduands collecting their certificates and special awards were the mother and grandmother of 19-year-old Samantha Chadee, who was murdered in July 2024. The murdered teen was a student in the programme and passed all of her subjects with distinction.