GREETINGS

Denise E Antonio, UNDP Resident Representative

Presentation of Jamaica 4H Backyard Garden Model Champion Farmers

Thursday 25 February 2021, 10:30 a.m.

Salutations

• Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green
• Chairman, Board of Directors, Jamaica 4H, Collin Virgo
• Executive Director Jamaica 4H Clubs, Dr Ronald Blake
• Model Garden Farmers
• Representatives of the media
• Other distinguished attendees here on location and watching via livestream

Good Morning

The United Nations Development Programme through its GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) joins in celebrating the top three winners in the Jamaica 4H Clubs’ Backyard Garden Competition, made possible with the contribution of a USD70,000 GEF SGP grant under the ‘Youth in Action - Combating Climate Change through Innovation and Technology in Agriculture’ project.

This is a special moment of pride and hope: Pride in the demonstrated possibilities of home-based food security, and hope that this movement will grow exponentially, especially among young people.

We are especially delighted that 465 families entered the competition. We view this as a sign of the growing appreciation for government’s ‘Eat What You Grow, Grow what You Eat’ campaign, and recognition of the potential to transform modest inputs into tangible rewards that can help to feed families. Being able to select ingredients for meals from your backyards, drum pans and verandah pots makes a nutritious, accessible and liberating difference.

I think we can all appreciate why home gardens matter now more than ever. For one, Climate Change with its unpredictability accompanied by bouts of drought makes agriculture more difficult, so widescale adoption of sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practices is key; two, job losses brought about by the COVID19 pandemic have meant that many are struggling to feed their families; and three – crop failures and rising food prices has become a threat to the 17.1% of the population living below the poverty line, among whom 25% are youth.

We have been encouraged by Jamaica 4H’s project reports of record numbers of youth in project activities; contributions to the Youth in Agriculture and social enterprises policies; establishment of an agro-processing training facility; application of sustainable forest, agricultural and water management practices on 16.81 hectares of land and the development of a number of knowledge products that are important resources for advancing youth in agriculture and home-grown farms. Congratulations and well done.

You have our word that UNDP and GEF SGP will continue to be responsive to the vision of climate-resilient food security, and to ensure that young people are suitably integrated and empowered to lead this movement in the future. Our commitment is anchored on UNDP’s corporate mission to help countries end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Projects which simultaneously help us to secure SDG number 2 – Zero Hunger and SDG number 13, Climate Action are of particular importance to GEF SGP.

As we stir the spirit of self-reliance and resilience among families including the younger generation, we build national resilience to crisis, seeking also to ensure that there is enough food to feed every Jamaican.

We commend the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for championing the home garden movement and leading the way to a more knowledge-based climate-resilient and innovative farming sector and similarly, we commend the Jamaica 4H Club for the creative ways in which it is seeking to contribute to improved food production, food security and food diversification among Jamaicans.

And of course, I am especially pleased to offer my personal congratulations to the top three winners and hope that their outstanding example will be broadcast and replicated across Jamaica. I encourage you to share your stories and become the champions of a home farm movement that can transform lives, families, communities, and the nation.

Thank you.