‘Youth important to achieving food security goals’ – CARICOM ASG (ag) at High School Agriculture Video Competition awards ceremony

Youth in agriculture took centre stage on Tuesday 28 January as the winners of the CARICOM High School Agriculture Video Competition 2024 were recognised for their interest and submissions.

Georgetown High School of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mopan Technical High School of Belize, and Pleasantville Secondary School of Trinidad and Tobago, won first, second and third prizes, respectively. The competition was held to generate interest in agriculture at the secondary school level, as the Region works towards reducing its food import bill by 25 per cent by the end of this year. There were 43 submissions from high schools across the Region.

Representatives of the winning schools who spoke at the ceremony expressed gratitude to the CARICOM Secretariat and the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) which partnered to organise the activity They shared how the experience of creating the videos empowered and inspired them to become advocates for agriculture.

Dr. Wendell Samuel, Senior Economic Adviser to the Secretary-General of CARICOM and Assistant Secretary-General (ag) of the Economic Integration, Innovation and Development Directorate, congratulated the winners, indicating that their videos showed their creativity, passion, commitment to excellence and dedication in shaping the future of agriculture in the Region.

“Your innovative videos have demonstrated the bold ideas, opportunities and solutions in agriculture that can shape a brighter, more sustainable future for the Caribbean. You are all trailblazers, and we celebrate your achievement. Well done,” Dr. Samuel said.

Youth important to achieving food security goals

The Assistant Secretary-General (ag) added that it is evident that young people are not only thinking about the future but are actively shaping it.

“The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has made it a priority to achieve the 25 by 2025 regional food and nutrition security goals, which are focused on enhancing food security, increasing the sustainability of our food systems, and promoting resilience across our Region. We know that we cannot reach these ambitious goals without the creativity, innovation, and the energy of young people like you. You are not just the future of agriculture – you are the present,” he said.

Dr Samuel also acknowledged the “invaluable contribution” of the schoolteachers who provided support and mentorship. “You are the guides who encourage curiosity, nurture talent and champion the potential of youth. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to this important cause.”

Beverly Best, Director, External and Institutional Relations of IICA, also congratulated and praised the students for their creativity, dedication and hard work. On behalf of IICA Director General, Dr Manuel Otero, she extended congratulations to all stakeholders, especially the winners of the competition.

 “We trust this is just the beginning of your journey to greatness, as we urge you to keep pushing boundaries to inspire and captivate audiences – especially other young people, by telling powerful stories about the endless possibilities of this sector,” she told the students.

She added that IICA believes that by actively engaging the youth, the Caribbean region will be better equipped to achieve the objectives of the 25 by 2025 food security initiative; revitalise local economies; drive innovation and employment; promote entrepreneurship and rural wealth, opportunities; and enhance the adoption of new technologies needed to competitively increase agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience. 

“In other words, we at IICA are strong proponents of the adage ‘Nothing for Youth, Without Youth’. Ms. Best said.

The next edition of the competition will be held in 2025. View the awards ceremony here.