Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS) — The St. Kitts-Nevis Agricultural Youth Forum (SKNAYF) is making a push to spread greenhouse technology to farmers and provide them with opportunities to develop new leadership skills so as to make them more productive citizens.
The group opened its two-day conference on Crime, Greenhouse Technology and Leadership at the UWI Conference Room on Thursday (April 16) which is being attended by 46 participants of all ages from St. Kitts and from Nevis. They will explore the Importance of Greenhouse Technology, Youth and Crime, Agricultural Opportunities and Leadership among others.
“The SKNAYF is fast becoming a recognized entity that represents youth involvement in not just the agricultural sector but youth at risk as well,” explained General Secretary, Kristal Phillip at the opening ceremony, noting this initiative will help the group realize their goal to construct greenhouses in all secondary schools in the federation. She added that activities in this area will continue, as the group has developed another project which promotes the expansion of agricultural-related programmes in schools and the community.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, the Honourable Shawn Richards, congratulated the young people for organizing the workshop as part of the Social Innovation for Change Project, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He endorsed the local project goals noting that it advances the knowledge of agricultural production, entrepreneurship and the potential of both to advance “national economic prosperity and sustainability.”
He told the participants that during the workshop they “will also take time to consider the social impact of this innovative model of agro-entrepreneurship and discuss its role in the reduction of instances of the marginalization and destructive forces of youth crime. Initiatives such as these are well aligned with the mandate of the Department of Youth Empowerment and my government, to empower our young people to actively engage in the development of our nation by becoming productive citizens of our sister isles,” he stressed.
The Deputy Prime Minister pledged continued support for this and similar initiatives that feature community individuals or groups working together to improve the well-being of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.