On Friday, July 31, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Taiwan Technical Mission, hosted the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Agricultural Productivity Recovery and Young Farmers’ Training Project at the Orange Hill Biotechnology Centre.
The project equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills in agricultural production and the enhancement of young farmers, aiming to contribute to the expansion, innovation, and sustainability of the agriculture sector in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Graduates of the project also received Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certificates in recognition of their successful completion.
Addressing the ceremony were the Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission, Kevin Lin, and Hon. Israel Bruce, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation, who commended the graduates upon their successful completion. Graduates were encouraged to apply the knowledge and skills gained to establish successful ventures in the agriculture sector.
Remarks were also made by Mr. Rohan McDonald, (Ag) Deputy Chief; Marcus Richards, (Ag) Chief Agricultural Officer; and Hon. Shevern John, Minister of Social Welfare and Community Empowerment, Disaster Management and National Heritage.
Outstanding participants such as Shauniel Lavia captured first place and received a EC$10,000 seed fund, Michelle Williams secured second place with an EC$8,000 seed fund, while Clifroy Hoyte placed third and was awarded with a EC$6,000 fund. All participants also received agricultural supplies.
The graduation ceremony marked a successful completion of the programme’s first cohort and reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation, along with development partners and the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' commitment to empower the next generation of young farmers.
SOURCE: Ministry Of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation
