Youngsters find farming unattractive
Published:Sunday | August 15, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer
THE INCREASING number of young persons who continue to shy away from farming is creating concern among some major players in Jamaica's agriculture sector
At last Friday's Gleaner Editors' Forum, which was staged in collaboration with the Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS), president of the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers' Association (AIJCFA), Alan Rickards, said most young Jamaicans saw farming as an unattractive venture.
"Many of us who want to retire cannot because we're not being replaced by younger people coming forward," said Rickards.
Rickards pointed out that despite a renewed interest in farming due to a resurgence in the 4-H movement, questions remained as to whether Jamaican farmers were encouraging their sons to choose agriculture as a vocation.
He lamented that some persons attending the College of Agri-culture did so solely to obtain certification, as they had no interest in entering agriculture.
Still hope
He said senior players in the industry had a responsibility before retiring to promote agriculture as an attractive option, making it something a 22-year-old person would embrace, particularly those qualifying to attend the College of Agriculture.
However, JAS President Glendon Harris said there was still hope with regard to encouraging persons into farming, citing 2010 Young Champion Farmer Rahim Bacchus as an example.
"At age 25, he is at the level where his father has handed over his farm to him. So all is not lost," Harris said.
Harris also pointed out that the average Jamaican farmer was now younger when compared to former years.
"If you attend a JAS branch meeting now, you'll see the average age of persons attending is 55 and under," he said.
Previously, the average age of the Jamaican farmer was 70 years old.
President of the Caribbean Agri-Business Association, Dr Keith Amiel, suggested that land reform was a possible strategy worth exploring to attract young Jamaicans, including university graduates, into farming.