ARTICLE - 94 GRADUATES - AGRICULTURE

94 YOUNG GRADUATES IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES
(Haiti Libre) -

Last Saturday, 94 young people aged 18 to 25 (30% women) from 10 municipalities of the north, have graduated in Cap-Haitien, after an intensive six-month training in agricultural techniques. The training was carried out under the project, "Training and Socialization" which was funded to the tune of $200,000 U.S. dollars by the Section of Community Violence Reduction (CVR) of the MINUSTAH. Out of 100 candidates initially, 94 youth have successfully completed their six month training at the premises of the Vincent Foundation, the implementing partner of the project, which has extensive experience in the agricultural sector. Intensive courses were supported by psychosocial activities.

"The long awaited moment has arrived for you. After six months of hard training, you will be in contact with the real world, directly in the fields with the peasants. Remember that you have been trained to serve in the area of crop production or in the sub-sector of livestock production. Despite the problems, do not be troubled, because you have what it takes to face adversity," advised the agronomist Jean Mary Michaud, sponsor of the first graduating class; promising also to support his 'referees' throughout their careers, by advice, and other support they need.

For his part, Emilio Castaneda, the Head of the Regional Office of the Minustah, concluded the graduation ceremony by launching two calls; to the local authorities, first: "Ladies and gentlemen, members of local authorities, the training given to young people is insufficient to make of them useful men and women. They expect your support, your guidance and unconditional support,"; and to the 94 new agricultural agents: "Dear young people, do not forget that you are catalysts for development, and that the training that you received should be helpful to make of you men and women, useful to society."

Kits were distributed to each new agricultural agent comprising: a wheelbarrow, spade, rake, shovel, hoe, gloves, boots, seeds for growing vegetables, a book of agricultural technology, a watering can, a portable chicken coop, 25 chicks, and food for chicks.