Having successfully completed an agro-entrepreneurship workshop implemented by USAID’s Community, Family and Youth Resilience (CFYR) Program, 18 youth from the Anse La Raye district in St. Lucia pooled their resources to launch Youth Coast Farm, a small enterprise that produces crops for the local market. Following their training, the youth partnered with local farmers who provided them with a small parcel of land and are guiding them to plant their first rotation of crops.

Local private sector companies have agreed to purchase crops from these young farmers.

The USAID training was delivered over a period of 40 contact hours and exposed the youth to various topics including crop production, marketing, budgeting and record keeping, land preparation and agronomic practices, while highlighting the linkages between agriculture and other economic sectors. It sought to provide youth with skills to establish agro-enterprises that generate a sustainable income and builds their community. The training also included sessions on self-awareness, teamwork, conflict resolution, and the fundamentals of leadership and communication.