Young farmers, agribusiness operators, and agricultural traders were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and propose solutions during a Youth and Gender Inclusion Working Session hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation.
According to an FAO press release, the June 5, 2026, session, held at the Ministry of Agriculture Office in Kingstown, formed part of FAO’s ongoing efforts to promote youth and gender-responsive approaches that create greater opportunities for young women and men to participate, lead, and succeed throughout agrifood value chains.
The event brought together 23 stakeholders from across the agricultural sector, including young people actively involved in farming, agribusiness and agricultural trade. Representatives from the Gender Affairs Division, civil society organizations, and technical officers from the Ministry also participated.
Reportedly, participants shared firsthand experiences regarding the obstacles they face in agriculture, while discussions focused on identifying practical solutions and opportunities that could help strengthen their involvement in the sector.
FAO Caribbean Gender Focal Point and Value Chain Technical Lead, Juan Cheaz, highlighted the importance of ensuring young people and women play a central role in agricultural transformation.
“Young people are key drivers of innovation, and transformation in agrifood systems. However, young women and men often face additional barriers to training, employment, and leadership opportunities. By placing youth and gender as important subjects in our discussions, we can create more inclusive pathways for decent work, and a stronger future for agriculture in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
The need to attract more young people into agriculture was also emphasized by Permanent Secretary Colville King, who noted that youth represent only about 10 percent of registered farmers in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The future of agriculture depends on attracting young people and ensuring that they have a voice in shaping its development. We need the next generation of farmers, innovators, processors, marketers and entrepreneurs if agriculture is to remain sustainable and safeguard national food security,” he stated.
Throughout the session, participants identified several barriers affecting their success in agriculture, including limited access to financing, land, markets, transportation, training opportunities and participation in decision-making processes.
Young farmer Dianza Selby shared one of the more striking examples of the challenges faced by producers seeking reliable markets.
“One time I lost over 600 pounds of cucumbers because I could not find a market for them. I supplied supermarkets, schools, charities and community members, but I still experienced significant losses, which was discouraging,” she said.
Her experience resonated with other participants, many of whom discussed innovative approaches they have adopted to minimize losses and increase profitability. These included producing value-added products such as pickles and hot sauces, as well as utilizing public storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.
The discussions also highlighted opportunities for youth-led entrepreneurship, agro-processing, branding and value-added production.
Participants further raised concerns about transportation and export challenges, noting that younger farmers and traders often have fewer resources and less capacity to adapt than more established operators.
Agricultural trader Glenroy Thomas stressed the importance of involving young people in decisions that directly affect them while also highlighting the need for consistency in meeting regional market demand.
“If decisions are made about young people, then young people should be part of those conversations from the beginning,” he said.
As per the press release, a recurring theme throughout the session was the need for stronger support systems for young people and women entering and expanding within the agricultural sector. Participants called for more mentorship opportunities, technical assistance, improved access to resources and greater involvement in policy discussions.
FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the perspectives and experiences of young women and men continue to inform the development and implementation of programmes and initiatives aimed at strengthening agriculture in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
