By Michron Robinson
Despite high levels of unemployment locally, some young livestock farmers are determined to create opportunities for themselves.
This as the graduates of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment and Prince’s Trust International’s Get Into programme declared Friday that they are on a mission to promote rabbit rearing across the country and in a serious way.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY at the graduation ceremony on Friday morning in the Courtyard by Marriott hall, one top graduate, Aika Murray, said she hopes to have an abattoir up and running by 2024.
in the programme.
“I’m going to be very honest. We all have to come together and work on this. We are the future of Barbados and time is getting away… My vision is to eventually build my own abattoir because in Barbados we actually have none. There are a few plans to have them built across the country, however there are none that are completed or close to completion,” she said.
Meanwhile, another top student, Chemar Lynch, said, as an aspiring businessman, he developed immensely from the programme. “This is a good avenue for youth – not only to deal with the rabbits but agriculture as a whole. It is a very good [path]. You can make a lot of money and start your own business. I learnt a lot about dealing with rabbits. That’s a business I’m looking to get into – producing meat to sell to restaurants and supermarkets,” he said.
Miguel Benjamin, who was also awarded as a high performer, had a word for youngsters who may be interested in getting involved with the programme. “Rabbits are [underappreciated] but they shouldn’t be. They are high in [nutritional value] with B vitamins and iron. [I encourage young people] not to get into rabbit rearing as a hobby, but they should do it if they have a passion,” he advised.
Executive Director of Barbados Rabbits and Ruminant Management Association Wayne Smith spoke to how the programme addressed youth unemployment. “We talk about employment and we always think it is about going to someone else’s business. This programme offered them [self-employment] within a larger group of businesses so the support is there and they may be able to specialise. One person may decide [they will] breed and send the young ones to [someone else] who will [rear them]. Once they can specialise, they can target their resources in an area that they can best handle,” he said.
The director described the rabbit rearing programme as a critical one. “There is the timely dissemination of information and they can discuss challenges they may be facing. Who knows, one of the other partners may be able to solve the problem,” he said.
Senior Agricultural Assistant in the Ministry of Agriculture Arlie Connolly said it is high time more young people are involved in agriculture. “We need to encourage young people and show them the benefits of agriculture. It cannot just be a hobby, it has to be something that you see as a business and [you] do what it takes with all the government agencies around to help,” he said.
Connolly also gave his support for the establishment of an abattoir. “The Ministry stands ready to give any assistance. There is enough knowledge that we can do it. I hope by 2024 I can be there for the cutting of that ribbon,” he said to loud applause.
(MR)
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