Government Information Service - Commonwealth of Dominica

YOUNG FARMERS PROGRAMME

DOCUMENT

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Decline in the number of young persons involved in agriculture and agribusiness related activities.

Widespread subsistence-style farming approach void of any significant business principles leading to a negative stigma of agriculture among young people.

Agricultural Census (1995)

Four (4%) percent of all farmers are under the age of 25, while 36% were over the age of 55;

The majority of our farmers have not gone beyond primary education.

Population and Household Survey (2001)

1. Persons between the ages 15-34 only 4.83% of the employed individuals are engaged in Agriculture, Fishing, & Hunting.

.the percentage of individuals working in the Agricultural sector declined from 30.8% in 1991 to 21% in 2001

Widespread subsistence-style farming approach void of any significant business principles leading to a negative stigma of agriculture among young people.

Agricultural Census (1995)

Four (4%) percent of all farmers are under the age of 25, while 36% were over the age of 55;

The majority of our farmers have not gone

beyond primary education.

Population and Household Survey (2001)

1. Persons between the ages 15-34 only 4.83% of the employed individuals are engaged in Agriculture, Fishing, & Hunting.

The percentage of individuals working in the Agricultural sector declined from 30.8% in 1991 to 21% in 2001

AND RESULTING IN

1. FOOD INSECURITY…High Food Import Bill

2. POVERTY

3. LOW AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY

4. INCREASING UNEMPLOYMENT

5. INCREASING YOUTH DELINQUENCY

6. DRUG ABUSE, TRAFFICING & its related VIOLENCE

7. MASS MIGRATION OF HUMAN RESOURCE

8. UNDERUSED LAND RESOURCES…Abandon lands

WHY ANOTHER YOUTH PROGRAMME?

• BUILDING ON GAINS MADE YFRD PRGRAMME (1999)

• DEVELOPING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

• IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE AND PRATICAL SKILLS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

• INCREASE THE DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS IN AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENTS

• PROVIDE A BASIS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY, POVERTY ALLEVIATION, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND EMPLOYMENT

OUR GOAL

Youth in Dominica are part of a vibrant and creative culture who can

reinvigorate Agricultural Development .

1 . Use the creative vision of youth

2. Develop vibrant leadership in the country

3. Offer innovative strategies and solutions for Dominica’s sustainable development

4. Improve Youth perception of agriculture as “prosperous and entrepreneurial”

We must encourage Youth in Agriculture…

We must protect our local culture, our food supply, our livelihood…

We must support the selected few and help them to be successful…

This provides the basis for the YFP!

VISION OF THE YOUNG FARMERS PROGRAMME

Our vision lies in promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and facilitating improvements in agricultural productivity and management so that agriculture may become an economically viable and socially equitable industry for farmers, fisher folks, and agribusiness youth in Dominica.

PROGRAMME MISSION

To enhance food security, growth and sustainable development of the agricultural sector through the integration and implementation of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and natural resource management programs, projects and activities targeting young persons between the ages of 16-35 with training and investment opportunities, enabling them towards sustainable rural development, poverty reduction, increased agricultural output, and food security, and to

perceive agriculture as a “prosperous and entrepreneurial” profession in Dominica.

PROGRAMME STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

To develop entrepreneurial skills in young persons through technical and business training to enable them to take advantage business opportunities in the agricultural sector.

To provide knowledge and skills in key areas of agricultural production including aquaculture, small ruminant production, organic crop production, vegetable production under greenhouses, wild-life farming and souvenir production from local forest products.

To conduct a series of studies or reviews that will assist in determining the economic feasibility and/or economies of scale of agricultural (and related areas) enterprises that will be supported through the programme.

Based on 3 above to support the establishment of at least seven (7) viable pilot demonstration agro-enterprises that will not only provide the practical basis for acquiring knowledge and skills but which will also provide practical training and experience in agri-business management.

Strategic Approach

The programme will be executed under the YFP through:

ü Consultations with key stakeholders: Agribusinesses, Marketing Agencies, Young Farmers, Extension & Field Staff, Financial Institutions, Government Departments;

ü Thorough selection process of young farmers for participation in the Pilot Projects and the Agricultural Credit Scheme;

ü Conducting Training Needs Assessments nationally to identify specific training required to enhance agricultural productivity;

ü Provision training directly to groups of individuals with the same training needs or interests;

üCollaborative work with the Dominica Youth Business Trust;

STRATEGIC APPROACH

ü Visits to young farmers who are actively involved in production with the plan of promoting their enterprises, providing managerial and technical support, and facilitating development goals;

ü Identification and registration of young farmers in Dominica;

ü Extensive promotions of successful young farmers in various fields of agriculture;

ü Conferences, training camps and workshops on young farmers production, marketing, financing policy issues, record keeping & accounting system, and sustainable agriculture principles;

ü Provision of institutional support to the National Association of Youths in Agriculture (NAYA)

Identifying and negotiating the use of idle land resources that can be fully employed in agriculture by the youth

Programme Management

Programme Steering Committee

(PSC)

Programme Manager

PSC COMPOSITION

Mr. Oliver Grell (DOA): Representative of the Division of Agriculture

Mr. Malcolm Wallace: Representative of NAYA

Mr. Kevin Stephenson: Representative of IICA

Ms. Debbie Jean-Jacques: Representative of the private sector

Mr. Terry Raymond: Representative of the Youth Development Division

Mr. Bernard Mark John: Ex Officio Member

National Program Coordinator (Agriculture Diversification Programme)

Mr. Reginald Severin: Ex Officio Member

Programme Manager (Young Farmer Programme)

PSC Responsibilities

Ø Review and approve Annual Work Plan and Budgets

Ø Review and adopt programmes for Training (T), Public Awareness (PA), and the Revolving Credit Scheme (RCS)

Ø Adopt eligibility criteria and select participants for participation in the Demonstration Pilot Projects (PP)

Ø Providing guidance in promotion and public relations

Ø Review of all Monthly and Quarterly Progress reports

Ø Overseeing of all activities of the Programme Manager

Ø Evaluation of Programme within the 3^rd,6^th and 12^th months of implementation

Ø Making recommendations for improvement, implementation and impact

Ø Reporting to the PS-MOAFE on implementation and specific outputs

MANAGER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

1 .Develop the Annual Work Plans (AWP) and Budget

2. Undertake economic feasibility studies/reviews

3. Undertake the preparation of competitive proposals/business plans for young persons

4 .Implement programme and assist in monitoring and evaluation

5 .Assist in the preparation of documents required for negotiating agreements

6 .Prepare reports for review, making recommendations for decision-making

7. Execute all project procurement

8 .Determine human resource and training needs

9 .Facilitate the activities of consultants, financing agencies, aid donors and other resource institutions

PROGRAMME FINANCE

ITEM	Year 1	TOTAL
Training	50,000	50,000
Establishment of Pilot Projects (7)	150,000	150,000
Establishment of Credit Scheme	150,000	150,000
Public Awareness Campaign	2,500	2,500

Additional funds contributed directly from ADP-SFA

Total Estimated Implementation Costs: EC$352,500.00

PROGRAMME COMPONENTS

1 TRAINING (Technical & Agribusiness)

2 RESEARCH (Economic Feasibility Studies, Market Research, Training/Inputs Needs Assessments)

3 INVESTMENT (Grant Financing of Pilot Demonstration Agricultural Enterprises)

4 CREDIT FACILITATION (Establishment of an Agricultural Credit Scheme)

5 PROMOTION (Development of a Public Awareness Campaign for Young Farmers)

TRAINING

Focus on developing the agribusiness competence of Young Farmers in Dominica; through:

§ Partnering with the MOAE- Extension, NAYA, NDFD, AID Bank, DEXIA, DYBT in

offering specialized training in agribusiness management;

§ Conducting training needs assessment with the aim of responding to specific

business management deficiencies and developing the entrepreneurial Approach

to production;

§ Identifying training opportunities to enhance practical exposure and build

experience of Young Farmers Entrepreneurs;

§ Targeting Young Farmers across Dominica, investment type and size for

specialized training in developing farming as a business career.

TRAINING PROGRAM

Base on the experiences in Dominica, the following areas represents potential areas for training of Young Farmers aimed at developing the entrepreneurial spirit among the target groups:

1. Value-added Farm Product Development

2. Record Keeping Systems

3. Accounting for Agriculture

4. Marketing Principles

5. Agro-processing

6. Farm Management

7. Sustainable Agriculture (Organic Farming)

8. Marketing Costs and Calculations

9. Credit Use and Management

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SCHEME

This component aims to provide credit for the procurement of farm inputs, labor, raw materials and other operational support required for Young Farmers’ investments.

The fund will be administrated under the guidance of participating financial institutions.

The following will be considered for enhancing and sustaining the scheme:

1. Absence of pre-loan conditions as security and savings;

2. Special Interest rate to cover administration costs;

3. Short-term repayment plans (1 – 48 months);

4. Request from Public and Private sector to continuously finance scheme;

Collaborative work with the Dominica Youth Business Trust in training and financing beneficiaries

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SCHEMEYFP-NDFD JOINT-VENTURE LENDING POLICY

§ Submission of a formal application form

§ Interest Rate 5.5% per annum discounted

§ Disbursement over a six (6) month period payments made directly to supplier or as required (based on a formal arrangement with YFP and suppliers)

§ Repayment Fixed monthly payments

§ Grace Period based on nature of enterprise

§ Credit Term up to a maximum of forty-eight months

§ Post-Loan Security: Bills of Sale, Assigned marketing contracts, DYB Trust Funds, Guarantor, Loan Agreement/Promissory Note

§ Maximum Credit available is ten thousand dollars ($10,000)

PILOT PROJECTS

Demonstration Pilots - the establishment of four to seven (4-7) commercially viable pilot demonstrations across the island (ideally one per agricultural region), represents a key output of the programme.

PILOT PROJECTS GOALS

1 .Demonstrate the wide range of commercially viable potential options that are available to young entrepreneurs willing to risk investing in the agricultural sector.

2. Raise the general profile of agriculture both as a business and as a socially acceptable productive activity to be engaged in by the youth.

3 .Serve as a catalyst for encouraging other young entrepreneurs to access the funds available under the credit program of the project for the establishment of their own commercially viable projects.

All pilot projects must

Address priority areas for agricultural investment dovetail to the overall mission of the Young Farmers Programme (YFP).

Designed to produce, process and market a specific, differentiated farm product in response to real local, regional and international market demand and/or a well defined problem.

Create social, economic and environmental benefits and have positive impact within the local community.

Projects must be

SUSTAINABLE, COMMERCIALLY VIABLE, EQUITABLE, PRODUCT-CENTERED, RISK MANAGED, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, ECONOMICALLY AND TECHNICALLY SOUND, & WELL PLANNED!

PUBLIC AWARENESS

q Set up a special PAC Committee to develop programs and secure sponsorship and airtime for the YFP-PAC.

q Development of a Young Farmer Award Program aimed at recognizing and promoting the contributions to agriculture in Dominica.

q Developing an Agricultural Youth Voice on radio or TV to highlight and promote young farmers, their products, farms, experiences, challenges and contributions as it relates to the overall programme mission.

q Conduct a national survey of young farmers to document their needs, status, plans, access to resources and potential contribution to agricultural development in Dominica.

PROGRAMME PARTICIPANTS

Entrepreneurially oriented, business minded, high energy, literate youth who are either already involved in some form of practical agricultural activity or who have/are demonstrating such an interest;

• Between the ages of 16 to 35

• Former Young Farmer Recruitment and Development Project

• Participants/graduates of the Youth Division’s Skills Training Program,

• Dominica Youth Business Trust Participants

• Members of the NAYA;

IDEAS FOR PROGRAMME FUTURE

Securing sponsorship for the Agricultural Credit Scheme to ensure continued support services to Young farmers beyond programme cycle;

Development of a Young Farmer Awards Programme aimed at recognizing and promoting young farmers contributions to and their successes in Dominica’s agriculture;

Contribute to the development of a Special Certificate Level Training for young farmers in collaboration with the MOAFE and the State College

Increasing the number of related agric enterprises in addition to those in the Pilot Projects specializing in agro processing

Strengthen NAYA and provide support for the formation of young rmer’s associations/groups/chapters nation wide

Maintain an active Registry of Young Farmers and develop a MENTORING Programme to assist young farmers