    Legally registered non-profit, non governmental regional umbrella farmer organisation. Formed and initiated by farmer organisations across the Caribbean in 2002. Mandated to speak on behalf of its membership and to develop programmes and projects aimed at improving livelihoods. Collaborate with all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to the strategic advantage of its farmers.

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MISSION: “To enhance Caribbean food and nutrition security, foreign exchange earnings and foreign savings, by repositioning agriculture through the capacity building of farmers and the institutional strengthening of farmers organisations”

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GOALS

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To improve the quality of life for small farm families throughout the Caribbean region

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To gain economic empowerment and sociopolitical independence in the agriculture sector

 The Caribbean is a treasure chest geological wonders and well positioned to take advantage of a myriad of development options in the sector of agriculture. However, this fact applies to the land and not to the minds of the masses.

Unlike other places in the world, the plantation economy histories of the Caribbean coupled with historically based negative social perceptions have manifested itself as quite an obstacle to the full realization of the potential of the sector especially among our youth. As such across the Caribbean region there is a marked absence of young entrepreneurs entering the industry.

Surveys among farmers’ organizations across the region reveal that the average age of farmers has been increasing to 45 years old in most islands with the majority being over 60 years old. It is for these reasons CaFAN suggests that a wider definition of youth should be utilized ie: 15-35 years.

 Despite the many challenges, key successes have been made in attempts to involve our youth in the agricultural sector.

 The Gilbert Development Agricultural Centre for these young persons.

and (GARD Rural C) continues to provide training assistance for young farmers and young persons who wish to get involved in agriculture.

Currently, GARD is partnering with other organisations to provide job placement

 Agrofest is an annual exhibition produced by the Barbados Agricultural partnered Agriculture by Development.

Society the and It (BAS) Ministry provides and of Rural an opportunity for all stakeholders of the agricultural sector, both local and overseas to come together and showcase a variety of their products and services. It also highlights the different opportunities within the sector as a means of attraction and investment in the sector.

 The National Association for Youth in Agriculture continues to work with young students to develop an appreciation for the Agriculture Sector.

Programmes such as school essay competitions and school gardens are encouraged in Dominica.

 A model that Guyana Agricultural Producers Association (GAPA) has developed as incentives to young farmers is to introduce technology such as green house production, a project conceived in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to build model farms where field school training were conducted and field trips by schools. Young farmers who were interested were assisted in building the shade house completed with drips and mulch plastics. The farmers provided the land. GAPA supplied the materials at a reduced cost to the farmers and also continued mentoring and guidance is provided to the farmers.

 The Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS) through its annual Denbigh Agricultural show provides an opportunity to show case the agriculture sector in Jamaica.

One of the major highlights of the Show is the National Farm Queen competition.

competition personality, According to JAS, this epitomizes intelligence, the agricultural sector for one year.

grace, right values, and attitudes all capsulated by agricultural knowledge. The winner of the competition will represent the

 The success of the Oxfam Market Access Project in St. Lucia - Linking Agriculture to Tourism has seen more St. Lucian young farmers becoming members of farmers organisations to be a part of the project.

 In SVG, the Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture and Development Organisation (ECTAD) developed a project called “Linking Agriculture to Health and Nutrition”.

in backyard farming.

This project was specifically targeted as a promotional campaign for the young to get involved in local food production and consumption. Successful indicators of the project shows a growth in more people, especially the young getting involved In addition, ECTAD farmers were asked to include their children in the management of farms with the responsibility of record keeping entrusted to them.

 CaFAN has joined with the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (CTA) through their Agriculture, Rural Development and Youth in Information Society (ARDYIS) project to strengthen fully participate.

a greater youth participation in the agriculture sector. Several programmes under the project including an Essay and Blog Competition has commenced and CaFAN is encouraging all its members to

 CaFAN is a very practical and action oriented organisation and believes that we do not always have to reinvent the wheel. CaFAN advocates that we look at what is available, and we build upon it and replicate its success throughout the other countries of the Caribbean. The examples provided are but a drop in the bucket and they provide a base upon which further work can be done and current work be expanded.

 We have found it to be quite an incentive to provide guaranteed market access to youth entering the sector as young entrepreneurs.

This is one lesson we learned from our Oxfam project in St Lucia. We have also found success through creating linkages with other sectors such as health and nutrition, sports and tourism. Through initiatives like these with continuing public and private sector collaboration, strides are being made to create a more favourable environment for young rural agriculturalists.

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 While training on labour, marketing management are becoming more readily available, CaFAN also supports and encourages training on personal and community development as well as introducing youths to agriculture at a young age and advocates for the strengthening of small farm families.

and financial CaFAN hopes that young persons across the region seize these blossoming opportunities not only to gain financial independence and security but also to become involved in and contribute meaningfully to reducing food insecurity across the region as well as increase rural employment and development and aid in the reduction of poverty in the Caribbean.

CONTACT US CaFAN C/o ECTAD, Beachmont P.O. Box 827, Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies Tel: 784 453 1004 Fax: 784 453 1239 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Website: www.caribbeanfarmers.org www.caribbeanfarmers.ning.com