Jamaica 4-H Clubs targeting regional food security

• Published date: 23 April 2024
• Publication title: Jamaica Star, The (Kingston, Jamaica)

"We have taken leadership at the 4-H level to organise that, and in short order we will be reaching out to all regional members," said Thompson, who was addressing the St Ann 4-H Clubs Parish Achievement Day and Expo 2024 at Brown's Town Primary School recently. The event was staged under the theme 'Youth in Agriculture: Shaping the New FACE of Food'

According to Thompson, the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, which has a membership of more than 100,000 and spans 1,067 clubs, is looking to expand its model to other Caribbean islands as part of the drive to enhance food security in the region.

"We want to use the Jamaica 4-H model to see how best we can tweak it to execute 4-H movements in these islands," said Thompson, noting that the 4-H movement is celebrating its 84th anniversary this month. April is also being celebrated as Farmers' Month.

"We expended over $40 million last financial year to support the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme to assist clubbites and students to develop entrepreneurial skills...