Floyd Green urges young Jamaicans to chase agribusiness opportunities

Hon. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, is pressing more young people in Jamaica to look seriously at careers in agriculture, arguing that the industry can underwrite entrepreneurship, build personal wealth and strengthen the country’s growth.

Speaking recently at the New Testament Church of God Kingdom Builders Business Expo in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, he urged the audience not to treat agriculture as only conventional farm work. The minister said the field spans a broad set of roles along the agricultural value chain, among them transport, logistics, supply-chain operations and tech-driven innovation.

“When you think about agriculture, I want you to think about the full value system that is connected… there is so much potential and opportunity in this agriculture space,” the Minister pointed out.

“We must remember that agriculture is the most important profession in the world. No matter what you do in life… no matter what situation you are in… you have to eat… and people who provide that food will always be critical,” he added.

Mr. Green also pushed back against the idea that farming cannot pay well, pointing to Jamaican producers who are earning strong returns from high-value crops and livestock.

At the expo, Minister Green inspected East Indian mango seedlings while Samuel Nembhard, founder of Petals on Rock, outlined how they are grown.

He called on younger Jamaicans to deepen their knowledge of the industry and seize the openings now appearing within it. Among government measures meant to draw more youth into agriculture, he cited support for livestock rearing, aquaculture and easier access to farmland.

“If you are a young person… 25 per cent of all government land for agriculture is reserved for young people… and you can get it on preferential rates,” the Minister informed.

Eligible young farmers, he said, can also qualify for incentives such as free land preparation on as much as two acres, farm inputs, and continued assistance through the first years of production.

Against that setting, Minister Green asked those present to treat agriculture as a workable business and to help grow Jamaica’s farm output.

“My message to you is really [to] rethink agriculture. Agriculture can truly move you from farm to fortune,” he said.