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Challenges and Opportunities
of Youth Entrepreneurs
in Agriculture:
Keeley Holder
Nov 14th, 2012
A Caribbean Perspective
Caribbean Opportunities
Successful sectors saturated with
talent
Youth unemployment biggest
developmental challenge
Agriculture NOT saturated
Youth ardent about creating dynamic
solutions to complex problems
There’s a hidden complexity in agriculture
Caribbean Opportunities
Food, Oil, Economic, Environmental,
Health Crises
Agriculture thrives in a recession
Agriculture is knowledge intensive
> Youth pursuing knowledge at UWI
Greater access to information through
ICTs
Use of ICTs appeal to Youth
Caribbean Opportunities
Old Agriculture:
Strong Reminder of Poverty & Colonialism
that is “Best Forgotten/Ignored”
Smart Agriculture:
Exciting, Fulfilling, Financially Rewarding
& Socially Acceptable
Caribbean Reality:
The Fruit & Vegetable Industry
Declining & de-emphasised last 30 year
Short term gains, long term pains
Overall profitability being eroded
Farmer only knowledge worker
Caribbean Reality:
The Fruit & Vegetable Industry
Not business-driven
Few opportunities for private professionals & researchers
Little opportunity to: OBSERVE globally competitive
farms/institutions
Not competitive recruiting/keeping talent
Caribbean Reality:
Support Systems
WEAK
INTERACTIONS
Empowering Youth:
The Key Things To Be Done
Success Breeds Success
1. Select a “small” group youth w/ right
talents
2. Equip them w/ needed skills for long-
term success
3. Provide supporting framework for long-
term success
4. Leaders MUST create “spaces” for
other youth to participate
Empowering Youth:
The Key Things To Be Done
1. Attract talent that have SKILLS to be
excel in this reality:
3Ds – Determination, Desire, Dedication
Self-motivated, Intensely focussed, People-
centred
Passion & Empathy; Purpose & Objectivity
Lifelong Learners, Quick Learners
“Perspective Thinkers”
Can Handle Failure
Empowering Youth:
The Key Things To Be Done
2. Provide talent with other SKILLS
needed:
STRATEGIC Thinking, Problem-SOLVING,
Analytical
Leadership & Team Building
Negotiating & Decision Making
Time MANAGEMENT (esp. Women)
Knowledge Management (filtering, relevance)
Global Literacy
Empowering Youth:
The Key Things To Be Done
3. Supporting Framework:
Access to expertise & opportunities for
collaboration
Align them w/ influential SPONSORS
Empowering Youth:
The Key Things To Be Done
3. Supporting Framework:
Access to expertise & opportunities for
collaboration
Align them w/ influential SPONSORS
Empowering Youth:
The Key Things To Be Done
3. Supporting Framework:
Mentorship
Find people w/ knowledge (tacit/explicit) &
experience and Don’t Waste Their Time
More Ears, Less Mouth
Don’t let gender/age be an obstacle
We need to learn MUCH MORE than they
need to teach us
Empowering Youth:
Changing the Status Quo
4. Creating spaces for other youth:
Build globally competitive models
Opportunities to work/trial (internships,
apprenticeships)
Opportunities to observe (believing is seeing)
Build smart partnerships
Breaking the “short-term gains” cycle
Thank You
