NATIONAL YOUTH
IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAMME
HANDBOOK 2013
NATIONAL YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE
PROGRAMME
BACKGROUND
In keeping with the country’s need to
revitalize youth involvement in Agriculture to enhance food security for the
future, The National Youth in Agriculture (NYIA) Committee was established in
1990 and merged with RADA’s School Agricultural Programme in 1998; to make
plans and implement various activities for youth involvement in agriculture.
The thrust of the programme is to encourage the involvement of young persons in
the study and subsequent practice of Agriculture and to see Agriculture as a
viable career choice.
Since May 1, 2008, the Jamaica 4-H
Clubs has been entrusted with the mandate to spearhead this programme.
Through educational activities,
competitive events and School Garden Programmes, this joint initiative seeks to
achieve its intended goal.
Age Group Categories
Category
1 (Ages 9 –12 years)
Category
2 (Ages
13-17 years)
Category
3 Tertiary, Vocational,
Post Secondary, Community Clubs
Prizes
Prize
money will be awarded to each member of the winning team, with additional prize
money for the runners up. The winning team will also be awarded a Trophy.
Prizes (same for all competitions
except where otherwise stated):
1st prize: $3,200 and a trophy
2nd prize: $2,200 and a certificate
3rd prize: $1,500 and a certificate
Please note that participants are only to enter ONE
Competitive event on the day. EXCEPT FOR ESSAY which is prejudged
YOUTH IN
AGRICULTURE AWARD
Each year
scholarships covering tuition, and accommodation are offered for students to
pursue studies in Agriculture & Environment at The College of Agriculture,
Science and Education, University of Technology & University of the West
Indies. Also Bursaries to:
Sydney Pagan & Knockalva Agricultural Schools
Requirements
·
Applicants must enter (and be placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd)
essay or poster competitions and one other youth in agriculture 2013
competitive events. Entrants in the JAS Farm Queen Competition are also be
eligible.
·
Applicants must be accepted for admission to the 2013/2014
academic year at the relevant intuition.
·
Applicants must satisfy an interview conducted by the
National Youth in Agriculture Committee.
Application Forms - may be collected at any 4-H Offices
CHAMPION
SCHOOL/CLUB AWARD
Category: Open
Criteria: The
School/Club/group with the most winners in the various competitions.
Prize: $15,000.00 & Input Support/Implementation of
School /Club Garden. The National Youth in Agriculture/Schools Agriculture
Programme Championship Trophy
TEACHERS’ INCENTIVE
AWARD
Criteria:
a) The teacher must
be actively involved in the preparation of participants for the National Youth
in Agriculture Programme.
b) Motivate at least twenty students to enter
the competition and to participate on the day of the show.
c) Achieve the most winning entries.
Prizes:
1st prize: Education Grant and a trophy
2nd prize: Education Grant and a certificate
EVENT- SCHOOL GARDEN COMPETITION
Category: Open
Criteria: gardens will be judged generally on
the efficient use of land, modern farming techniques; environmental impact,
cultural practices, skills management of farm, field sanitation and record
keeping.
Prizes will be awarded by sponsors
FAO/MOAF at World Food Day celebration in October 2013 EVENT- CIRCUMPOSING OF PLANTS
CATEGORY-
two
OBJECTIVES
1. To develop in
our youth a skill that can be employed throughout life
2. To develop an appreciation for the
preservation of the plant species
3. To develop a cadre of plant propagators
GUIDELINES
a.
Competitors
will be provided with plants
b.
Competitors
are required to take the following:
-
Budding
knife or appropriate knife
-
Secateur (Roll Cut)
-
Plastic
bags (preferably transparent)
-
Saw
dust, coir dust
-
Cord
or tape
c.
SHARING
OF TOOLS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED
d.
Competitors
will be questioned on the procedures as well as general information on
Circumposing
e.
Competitors
will be required to demonstrate the Circumposing process on the plant
f.
Competitors
should exhibit knowledge of plant propagation terms and other methods of
vegetative propagation
g.
Competitors
should be able to tell the advantages and/or disadvantages (if any) of this
method of plant propagation
EVENT
– RABBIT CARE & MANAGEMENT
CATEGORY
– One
OBJECTIVES
1.
To
promote a worthwhile leisure activity for youth
2.
To
promote the growth and development of the rabbit industry
3.
To
present rabbit rearing as a viable enterprise
GUIDELINES
a. Competitors should know the different
breeds and types of rabbits.
b. Competitors should be able to label the
external body parts.
c. Competitors should be knowledgeable
about:
-
Nutrition
-
-Diseases
-
Housing
-
Breeding
-
Record
Keeping
d. Competitors should be able to identify
suitable stock.
e. Economic uses
Meat
(Craft, Leather, other)
EVENT-
BUDDING
CATEGORY
-two
OBJECTIVES
1.
To
increase the fruit tree population
2.
To
develop a cadre of budding and grafting experts
3.
To
develop an appreciation for the preservation of plant species
GUIDELINES
- Competitors will be provided
with stock plant, bud wood and budding tape
- Competitors are required to
take the following:
-
Budding
or appropriate knife
-
Secuteur
(Roll Cut) or Pruning shear
- Sharing of tools will not be allowed
- Competitors will be
questioned on the different procedures as well as general information on
Budding
- Competitors will be required
to demonstrate at least one Budding Technique
- Competitors should exhibit
knowledge of plant propagation terms and other methods of vegetable
propagation.
- Competitors should be aware
of the benefits to agricultural development, orchard development,
standardization and economic attributes
EVENT-
GOAT CARE AND MANAGEMENT
CATEGORY
- two
OBJECTIVES
- To promote the further
growth and development of the goat industry
- To promote the byproducts of
goats
- To present goat rearing as a
viable enterprise
GUIDELINES
a.
Competitors
should know the different breeds and types of goats
b.
Competitors
should be able to label the external body parts of the animal
c.
Competitors
should be able to identify suitable stocks
d.
Economic
uses of goats:
-
Milk
-
Meat
-
Skin
(leather, craft)
e.
Competitors
should be knowledgeable of the diseases affecting goats
f.
Competitors
should be knowledgeable of different feeds
g.
Competitors
should be knowledgeable about housing, record-keeping etc.
EVENT-
CATTLE JUDGING- (BEEF)
CATEGORY-
OPEN
OBJECTIVES
1. To promote the importance of
cattle rearing to the agricultural sector
2. To encourage youth to see cattle
rearing as a viable business
3. To introduce youth to the
husbandry practices involved in cattle rearing
4. To prepare competitiors to be
able to recognize suitable animals
GUIDELINES
a. Animals for judging will be
provided
b. Competitors should be able to
label the different body parts of beef animals
c. Competitors should be knowledgeable
about the qualities of good beef-type cattle
d. Participants will be required to
grade animals based on desirable characteristics
e. Participants should know:
- Different breeds and features
- Cattle husbandry
- Methods of rearing
- Pest and diseases that affect
cattle
f. Economic Uses
- Meat
-
Leather
EVENT: SEEDBED
PREPARATION
CATEGORY:
ONE
Objectives:
- To
educate youth on the importance of Seed Beds
- To
enhance skills in the preparation of seed beds
- To
highlight appropriate tools used in seed bed preparation
Guidelines:
- Competitors
must take tools to demonstrate skill and knowledge in seedbed preparation.
- Sharing
of tools will not be allowed
- Competitors
will answer questions in the following areas
- Suitable soil used for seedbed preparation
- Advantages of seed beds
- Types of seedbed
- Dimension for seed bed
- Tools used in seedbed preparation
- Competitors
will be required to demonstrate the preparation of a seed bed
EVENT:
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
CATEGORY : 1, 2 & 3
OBJECTIVES
- To
encourage participants to learn the art of public speaking
- To
encourage youth to express themselves publicly
- To
stimulate the art of preparation for public presentation
GUIDELINES
FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE COMPETITION
a.
A
school or group can enter one (1) team three comprising (3) persons
b.
Each
team of should speak for no more than 10 minutes in total. The 10 minutes can
be broken down as follows:
a.
Chairman
- 3 minutes
b.
Keynote
Speaker - 5 minutes
c.
Mover
of Vote of Thanks - 2 minutes
d.
The
Chairman will lead the proceedings and will be required to do opening and
introduction of the speaker and also introduction of the Mover of vote of
thanks within the allotted 3 minutes. The Keynote speaker can be more but not
less than 5 minutes. It means therefore that team members must keep track of
the time to adjust to completing the presentation within the allotted 10
minutes for the team. NB. One point will
be deducted for every minute over the allotted 10 minutes.
c.
The
topic shall be Youth Involvement in Agriculture for Food Security &
Economic Growth”
d.
Contest
must be done in public and will be judged by a panel of judges whose decisions
will be final.
e.
Competitors
will be judged using the following guide:
a.
Facts
b.
Organization
and presentation- flow, voice, audibility
c.
Language
and fluency-Pace, diction Use of idiom
etc
d.
Personality –stage presence, visual impact, performance
e.
Conviction-
believalibility
f.
Timing
Suggested Key elements are:-
Ø
A
coherently presented argument with good and varied content
Ø
Referencing
the topic
Ø
Demonstrating
an ability to think on one’s feet
Ø
Injection
of humour
Ø
Audibility
Ø
Rapport
with the audience
Ø
Presence
on platform
Ø
Appropriate
use of props
Teams
should arrive by 9:00 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. start
EVENT: ESSAY
COMPETITION
CATEGORY: 1,
2, & 3
Entries according to age categories.
Script must be submitted no later
than July 15, 2013 to address printed on this brochure.
All
essays will become the property of the National Youth in Agriculture
Programme after entry.
Guidelines:
1
Essay
should be between 500-600 words. Do not exceed the given limit.
2
Indicate
the word count on the last page of the entry.
3
Competitors
should interpret and research the theme.
Entry will be disqualified for plagiarism.
4
Entry
must have a Title Page, Bibliography or Reference Page.
5
Essay
should be typed with 1 ½ line spacing in Times
New Roman font size 12 on plain un-ruled A4
paper.
6
Entry
should be submitted in triplicate.
7
Entries
will be judged on the following criteria:
a.
Content
b.
Originality
and pertinence to Youth in Agriculture Theme
c.
Evidence
and Accuracy of Research
d.
Structure
and Organization of Ideas
e.
Use
of Language and Mechanics
f.
Overall
Style and Presentation
8
Make
sure that all pages are clearly numbered.
..
EVENT: AGRICULTURE
QUIZ COMPETITION
Category:
1, 2, & 3
Entries according to age categories.
Criteria:
This will be a team competition with four participants per school, club or
community group.
Questions will encompass
Agricultural Technology, Plant Propagation, Vegetable Production, Pesticide
Management. Livestock Production, Soil Conservation
Round 1: Teams will be questioned alternately for five minutes.
Round 2: Each team is questioned for three
minutes. (One minute alternately). Teams will answer as many questions as
possible in the time allotted.
Round 3: 10 minutes free-for-all section.
First team to press the buzzer will be selected to answer the questions if
teams answer correctly they will receive two points. However, two points will
be deducted for an incorrect answer or if the team fails to respond within
fifteen seconds of being identified. This competition will be staged at
Denbigh on August 05, 2013
EVENT – SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT
CATEGORY
– OPEN
OBJECTIVES
- To educate youth on proper
solid waste systems.
- To encourage youth to keep
their surroundings clean.
- To highlight the hazards of
improper solid waste management.
RULES:
- Participants must bring evidence of their participation in a Solid Waste
Management Project.
·
Competitors
will answer questions in the following areas as related to solid waste
-
Hazards
-
Benefits
of Management
-
Types
of solid waste
-
Pollution
etc.
·
Suggest ways to improve Solid Waste
Management in their surroundings/communities using:
-
Methods
-
Diagrams
-
Recycling
-
Disposal
-
Public
Education
·
Competitor
must have record of project and a 30” x 36” model
EVENT – SOIL
CONSERVATION
CATEGORY
– OPEN
OBJECTIVES
- To educate youth on importance
of Soil Conservation.
- To create awareness of
methods of soil conservation.
- To highlight the hazards of
improper soil conservation methods.
Guidelines:
- Competitors
must provide evidence of their participation in soil Conservation
Project/activity. Competitor must have record of project and a 30” x 36”
model
- Competitors
will answer questions in the following areas as related to Soil
Conservation
- Hazards
- Benefits/importance
- Methods
- Competitors
must suggest ways to improve Soil Conservation in their surroundings/communities
EVENT: PACKED LUNCH BOX IDEA
This competition
aims to encourage the preparation of healthy lunch and snack for school
children. It focuses on the use of fresh local produce to prepare and present
economical food items. Participants are
expected to present a packed lunch box which can be prepared from home for a
child to take to school. The presentation should include snack item(s) for
break period as well as lunch.
Guidelines
1.
Indigenous
foods from your parish should be used to create the food items. The lunch box
should contain but not be limited to:
·
Protein
– animal or plant source
·
Staple/Starch
·
Vegetables
·
Fruit
·
Cold
Non-Alcoholic Beverage and water
2.
The
food items should be appropriately packaged to preserve food quality and
nutrient content and be visually appealing.
3.
Keep
extra salty and sugary dishes to a minimum.
4.
Items
must be properly labeled with clear instructions for use where necessary.
5.
Ensure
that food items are economical and processing measures cost effective.
6.
The
packaged lunch idea must be presented with a written explanation (pamphlet,
leaflet, recipes etc) of the production/preparation process.
7.
A
tasting tray must be set for the judges (with suitable appointments to taste
the products).
