DOMINICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF YOUTHS IN AGRICULTURE

Dominica is presently faced with numerous challenges as we seek to develop the main sectors, namely Agriculture and Tourism, which constitutes the building blocks of our national economy.

However, Agriculture seems to be the worst affected and is becoming increasingly difficult to compete at the local, regional and international levels. A primary contributing factor to this problem is the lack of youth involvement in this sector. We are fully aware that the average age of our Dominica’s farmers is post 50 years. In this competitive world environment, there arises an urgent need to inject new ideas and technology into the sector if it is to attain sustainability.

As a result, the National Association of Youth in Agriculture was launched on the 30^th of June 2003. The National Association of Youth in Agriculture (NAYA), as a representative of Dominica’s youth in Agriculture believe that we can assist in effecting the changes necessary by forging linkages with various institutions who assist and promote increased youth involvement and development in Agriculture.

The main aim of NAYA is to create a greater awareness among youth and to increase their participation in the Agricultural Industry. NAYA’s objectives include:

-       To form an umbrella organization, uniting the youth and promoting the involvement of youths in Dominica’s Agricultural sector;

-       To sensitize and educate youth on the opportunities and benefits to be derived from the Agricultural sector;

-       To act as the representative body for all youth involved in the Sustainable Development of Agriculture in Dominica;

-       To bring to the attention of the public any matter or problem faced by Dominica’s youth in relation to their involvement in Agricultural Development and to seek to address them;

-       To promote the use of modern/new technology pertaining to agricultural advancement among the youth;

-       To advance the interests, promote the welfare, and encourage the active participation of youth in the socio-economic life of Dominica through active involvement in Agriculture;

-       To foster integration, professional and academic advancement of the youth   through Agriculture related educational, social, cultural and sporting activities;

-       To afford the Government of Dominica and other appropriate bodies the collective views of youth and make effective representation and recommendations on all-important matters related to Agriculture.

-       To seek financial and material benefits from local, regional, and international organizations and Government that will seek to encourage the effective involvement of youth in Agriculture in Dominica.

-       To foster mutually beneficial relations between national, regional, and other youth organizations involved in the sustainable development of Agriculture.

-        To implement all necessary policies and activities that will ensure the successful achievement of all the above-mentioned objectives of the Association.

The executive committee of NAYA comprises of nine (9) individuals, to include;

1. Malcolm Wallace            President

2. Derrick Theophile            Vice President

3. Delroy Williams              General Secretary

4. Matthias Phillip               Treasurer

5. Matthias Alexander         Public Relations Officer

6. Mara Abraham                Committee Member

7. Steve Joseph                  Committee Member

8. Shirley Alexander            Committee Member

9. Ruthphin Dupigny            Committee Member

The General Membership of NAYA are individuals who are all employed or interested in various aspects of Agriculture; from research, teaching, extension, marketing, communications, plant protection, plant propagation, rural development to farming.

For additional information:

Attn: NAYA
c/o Division of Agriculture
Botanical Gardens
Roseau, Dominica.

Tel: 767 448 2401 ext 3411/3412
Fax: 767 448 8632
Email naya_da@hotmail.com 
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