Prospere Bemoans Insufficient Youth Involvement In Agriculture

At this week’s pre-cabinet briefing, Minister of Agriculture Alfred Prospere expressed concerns about the shortage of farm workers on the island. According to the minister, local farmers report difficulties in securing enough labour to manage their daily operations—an issue he believes is worsened by the declining presence of young people in agriculture. Sharing an interaction with a local farmer, Prospere said, “Farmers are saying they are not getting the labour support that once existed. There is a farmer in Soufriere with 30 acres of good agricultural land, but he may have to leave the sector because he needs about 20 workers and is only able to get three or four.” The minister noted that while some young people have shown interest in the sector, a lack of long-term involvement may be contributing to the labour shortage. “I don’t know what has happened to some of our young people, but they do not seem attracted to providing farm labour,” he added. Prospere referenced the Youth in Agriculture program, aimed at engaging local youth in the farming industry, but he admitted the initiative has not been successful. “We actually engaged a number of young people in the south, and if you drive...