The Scientific Research Council of Jamaica

RURAL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROJECT

Approximately 9.9 per cent of Jamaica’s 2.7 million population lived below the poverty line in 2007 with the highest incidence recorded in rural areas which accounted for seventy-one percent of the nation’s poor. Today the current global financial crisis has intensified this situation as there is a consistent increase in unemployment due largely to the down-turn in industries such as; bauxite/alumina, sugar, bananas and tourism. This situation has indirectly impacted the growth of one of Jamaica’s most challenging areas, crime and violence. This area has seen rapid growth due mainly to the large involvement of youths (particularly boys and young men) as main perpetrators and victims. This is also reflected in rural communities which have seen a steady increase in crime levels, particularly those close to tourism centres or linked to Kingston by the new Highway 2000. As the situation worsens it becomes increasingly more difficult for the youths to access and take advantage of employment and income generating opportunities where they exist.

The Rural Youth Employment Project was developed in response to this mounting dilemma. The implementation of this project will see to the reduction of the incidence of poverty, unemployment and exclusion among vulnerable youth groups and selected communities, particularly in rural Jamaica.

The project which is made possible through the US1.25 million support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is an initiative of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MOA) and other stakeholders.

It will contribute to the reduction of rural youth unemployment by increasing the ability of youths to access sustainable livelihood options. This will be achieved by capacitating rural youth through the provision of skills training and increased access to post harvest production facilities. The project aims at increasing the number of youths in the targeted communities within the parishes of St Thomas, St Ann, Trelawny and Manchester, who are actively employed or earning a living directly or indirectly through agriculture. In-school and unattached youths will also be targeted. Through the project, youths will have in addition to important life skills, the necessary skills to identify and access opportunities for engaging in other businesses along the agriculture value chain. The project will attempt to work through established community groups but is also open to youths not currently involved in such groups. The project should enhance current efforts to strengthen the linkages between the agriculture and tourism sectors and the servicing of underserved niche markets.

The programme which began in January 2010 is slated to last for three years ending December 2012.

JOBS

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