BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE Melvin James has revealed that more women are taking a backseat in that sector by are not working in the fields as much, but are involved in marketing and selling of produce.
That comment comes against the backdrop of more women seen on the streets or in the markets selling agriculture produce.
James, in an interview with SKNVibes, explained that his Department has been focusing on getting more people involved in farming and not just men.
He however noted that although many women are not involved in crop production, the Agriculture Department does support all who are engaged in that sector, be it marketing or the selling of same.
“Some of the women are involved in the marketing and not as much as in production. But there are some in production and we try as much to treat them as equals, and whatever niche and whatever persons are particularly comfortable in, we work with them.”
Speaking to the distribution of incentives, the Director noted that “there is no discrimination whatsoever” and that consideration for more could be given to women should they be involved in crop production.
James pointed out that in addition to women, the Federation’s youth have also been reluctant in tilling the soil even though Agriculture officials had implemented a number of programmes in schools to encourage them to start from an early ages.
For many years the Government and the Agriculture Department have been working assiduously to get more young people involved, but that appears to be difficult.
Director James told SKNVibes that in order to achieve the goals that they would want for the sector, they are looking to introduce more activities for the youths, whether it be those who are academically inclined or not.
He indicated that though that might be the case, the Department has not forgotten the womenfolk, adding that they are fully aware that women had played and remain a critical part of development across all sectors, with many of them being the breadwinners of their homes.
That is why, James said, space is always available to women whenever the Agriculture Department rolls out developmental programmes.
“We are going to have to work with them if we are going to transform the sector.”
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