Sun | Feb 22, 2026

Agri scholarship programme expanded to attract more youth to sector

Published:Thursday | June 19, 2025 | 12:11 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
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Derron Grant (left), chief executive officer of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS); Floyd Green (second left), minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining; Robert Levy (centre), chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group; Owen Dobson (second right), presiden
Antoine Lodge/Photographer
Derron Grant (left), chief executive officer of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS); Floyd Green (second left), minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining; Robert Levy (centre), chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group; Owen Dobson (second right), president of the JAS; and retired Colonel Jaimie Ogilivie, Hi-Po vice-president, engage in a conversation during the launch of the Denbigh 71st Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, held yesterday at the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre in St Catherine.
Floyd Green (left), minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining, greets Robert Levy, chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group, at the launch of the Denbigh’s 71st Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, held yesterday at the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre in St Cath
Antoine Lodge/Photographer
Floyd Green (left), minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining, greets Robert Levy, chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group, at the launch of the Denbigh’s 71st Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, held yesterday at the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre in St Catherine.
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Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining Floyd Green has announced a major expansion of the Government’s agricultural scholarship programme, signalling a shift towards greater private sector involvement as part of a broader push to attract more young people into the agriculture sector.

Speaking on Wednesday at the official launch of the 71st Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre in White Marl, St Catherine, Green revealed that the Government would be offering 30 new agricultural scholarships this year – and is seeking partnerships with private-sector entities to increase that number.

“There are some wonderful students who do agricultural science at the secondary level, Jamaica being one of the top performers at the secondary school certificate level,” Green noted. “Unfortunately, a lot of those students do not end up in agriculture. So we decided that, starting this year, we are going to offer full tertiary scholarships for the top boy and girl across each parish in agricultural science, and we are also doing four additional scholarships for persons who want to do agricultural education.”

GRADUATE PLACEMENT PROGRAMME

According to Green, the move is part of a wider thrust to secure Jamaica’s future in agriculture by grooming the next generation of agricultural teachers and professionals.

He also announced a graduate placement programme aimed at easing the transition from study to employment for young agricultural professionals. This initiative, he said, came after a visit to the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), where he learnt that many graduates were struggling to gain employment due to a lack of experience.

“We are launching a graduate placement programme. What we are going to do is work with the private sector, [so] that when our students finish tertiary [school], we give them placement for one or two years; give them an internship payment, so that they can get the experience that they need to move into agricultural-based jobs,” Green disclosed.

The minister also outlined key changes to the agri-park programme, which reserves 25 per cent of land space for youth. In response to affordability concerns, the Government will adjust the requirements for young applicants.

“Normally, you would get a lease for five years and prove that you have 70 per cent of the capital to start your enterprise. For young people, we are reducing that to 35 per cent. Normally, the lease you would pay – we are cutting it in half to two years; and we are saying, we will give you free land preparation up to two acres for the first two years,” Green announced.

WELCOME INITIATIVE

Meanwhile, Colonel (retired) Jaimie Ogilvie, Hi-Pro vice-president, endorsed Green’s initiatives and confirmed the private sector’s willingness to play a larger role in youth development through agriculture.

“We welcome more persons coming on board; and certainly, this injection by the Government is even better, because more persons will benefit from the arrangements,” Ogilvie stated.

“Hi-Pro has been enabling an internship programme for quite some time and will continue to do so,” he added.

Hi-Pro has maintained a long-standing scholarship partnership with agricultural institutions such as Knockalva, CASE, and Ebony Park, and remains a primary sponsor of the Denbigh Show.

This year’s Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show – the largest event of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean – will be staged under the theme ‘Overcoming Challenges, Building Resilience, Securing Our Future’.

The three-day showcase will run from August 1 to 3, with each day bearing special national significance – August 1, Governor General’s Day; August 2, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Mining & Youth Day; August 3, Prime Minister’s Day.

Special attractions and features at this year’s show will include a farmers’ market, agricultural displays, health and wellness village, children and family village, small business village, 4-H Clubs’ Youth in Agriculture Village, Tourism Linkages’ village, horticulture village, a livestock section and motor vehicle parade.

Evening highlights will bring a festive close to each day - August 1, Denbigh Good Night Vibes; August 2, National Farm Queen Coronation; and August 3, Hi-Pro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza.

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