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Home | Financial resources and access to climate-smart technologies critical for sustainable agriculture, says Green
The mobilization of financial resources that can assist youth and women as well as the development of appropriate climate-smart technologies have been described as critical issues to be considered in the mobilization of women and youth involvement in the agricultural sector.
So said, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Floyd Green, as he addressed participants at the general debate of the 42nd Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Virtual Conference on June 15, 2021 under the theme ‘Agriculture Food Systems Transformation: from Strategy to Action’.
“The financial systems of small island developing states are often not developed enough to support agricultural enterprises led by youth and women,” stated Green, who acknowledged that youth and women are critical to rural transformation and the establishment of viable food systems.
He urged the FAO to utilize its significant reach and network of developmental partners and the private sector to mobilize resources that can help youth, especially across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Among initiatives been undertaken by the Government to incorporate youth and women into the agricultural sector outlined by Green were specialty programmes such as the establishment of an Agvocate Council, which provides youth with an opportunity to make an input in the shaping of agricultural policies, and the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme, which provides training, mentorship and grants to youths.
Green stated that in its drive to better the lives of youth and women, the Government also has a policy that mandates a percentage of benefits and land are reserved for them for agricultural pursuits.
On the matter of climate change, the agriculture and fisheries minister said the agricultural food systems are at greatest risk, especially in Caribbean and Pacific countries.
Extended periods of drought and intensive rainfall, he said, have been destroying the gains that famers have been making. This necessitates farmers practising more precision-based and protected agriculture with significant focus on soil regeneration and water conservation.
Proffering that access to the adoption of climate-smart technologies was the answer to the climate change challenges, Green said if the food systems are to be sustainable; the FAO must leverage the world’s major technology companies to provide appropriate climate-smart technologies to assist the developing world.
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