PM Gonsalves offers lands for $1 per year for youth in Agriculture

By Admin. Updated 6:50 p.m., Monday, April 15, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has offered five acres of his own land to young individuals interested in agriculture for farming purposes.

According to an April 15 press release from the State-run Agency for Public Information – API, Dr. Gonsalves said he would sign an agreement with these young people who would pay him EC$1 annually to work the lands, planting their desired crops, to sustain themselves.

According to the prime minister, he has lands in Gorse and in Mt. William on the Windward side of the island.

Dr. Gonsalves made the announcement while delivering the feature address at the launch of the Wholesome Empowerment for Citizens while Advancing the Nation “WE CAN” Project today April 15, the API said, adding that the “WE CAN” project is an initiative of the Ministry of National Mobilization in conjunction with the World Food Programme (WFP).

The prime minister’s remarks come after recent discussions in the news media surrounding access to lands for young people in agriculture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines – SVG.

Talks surrounding the establishment of an agricultural land bank have also resurfaced.

It is not the first time the prime minister made the offer.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gonsalves, during his remarks at the “WE CAN” Project launched praised the work of the World Food Programme – WFP in SVG.

According to the API, he said the WFP has worked tirelessly with the Government and People of St. Vincent and the Grenadines since the volcanic eruptions to establish such programmes. He said the links with the WFP have deepened and he pledged the government’s commitment to work better and closer with the WEP.

The Prime Minister noted the participants of the “WE CAN” Project will be cultivating short crops and urged them to avoid the usage of pesticides that are harmful to their health and to employ sustainable farming practices as they embark on this agriculture initiative, according to the API.

He encouraged them to use more scientific methodologies while farming. and to have good security systems in place to prevent praedial larceny, the API said.

Meanwhile, Minister of National Mobilization Orando Brewster hailed the “WE CAN” Project as a significant agriculture initiative. He said the Project has earmarked 300 participants who are clients of his ministry from Low and No-income households, the API said.

Mr. Brewster said the clients require long-term interventions and the ministry is proving that through the “WE CAN” Project with the cultivation of short-term crops such as lettuce, cucumbers, and habanero peppers, the API said.