Caribbean

Dominica State College (DSC) strives to be recognized as a “premier institution of higher learning, committed to excellence and responsive to the needs of stakeholders, and to the social, spiritual and economic challenges which face the Dominican society in the global environment.” With that, DSC recently partnered with Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture and the University of Guelph Kemptville Campus. The Partnership was recently awarded funding under the CARICOM Education for Employment Program (C-EFE) projects.

The Ministry of Agriculture in Dominica and the CARICOM Secretariat recognize that agriculture is a key sector for Dominica’s economic development. Agriculture is the single most important private sector activity in Dominica in terms of GDP contribution, number of persons employed, domestic food and nutrition security, sustenance of rural livelihoods and generation of foreign exchange earnings. The Partnership responds to the Ministry of Agriculture’s priority to address the current decline of agricultural production by enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and commitment to provide support to key institutions within the sector, including institutions that educate and train current and future farmers.

The C-EFE is providing an excellent opportunity to establish Agriculture Business Management to increase employment opportunities for youth and women, ignite the spirit of enthusiasm and the drive of entrepreneurism, and meet the needs of farmers, government and all other stakeholders in the agricultural sector in Dominica. The Partnership believes that the program has the potential to support entrepreneurism and provide long term sustainable employment opportunities for students upon graduation. 

Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) was established in 1988 and offers a range of programs to approximately 1200 students. It strives to “foster the development of responsible, self-sufficient citizens by delivering a range of academic, professional and vocational courses and programmes that reflect the high values and standards and which prepare students to make lifelong contributions to their communities.” With that, CFBC recently partnered with Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Community College. The Partnership was awarded funding under the C-EFE projects.

Despite the historic fertility of the land, the agricultural system has failed to generate a reliable food supply in St. Kitts-Nevis. Food imports have been increasing while exports of agricultural products have been decreasing and indeed have plummeted following the closure of the major sugar factory in 2005. At the same time, agricultural production for local consumption has also been decreasing.

Concurrently, as the federation works to make the transition to a post-sugar economy, youth unemployment continues to worsen with more than 25% of 18-30 year olds having little or no work. In itself, this statistic is a major problem, particularly as unemployment is a contributing factor to the violence that puts youths at risk, and poses a potential threat to the tourism sector. Youth unemployment also bodes ill for the future and underscores the need to think and act in creative and entrepreneurial ways to generate more employment opportunities for young people.

The Partnership will work to ensure that agriculture, although burdened by the factors mentioned above, and traditionally perceived by a stigma of menial, low-paying and hard labour, will make a comeback in St. Kitts and Nevis in order to ensure food security and economic viability. By outfitting students with knowledge of agricultural science, practical applications of that science, and business fundamentals, the Partnership will create a cadre of young people able to turn emerging agricultural opportunities into profitable livelihoods through entrepreneurship.