The Tribune

A Cabinet Minister has heralded the 29 participants in the Department of Co-operatives' Development Summer Camp for "epitomising" the government's youth development goals.

Michael Pintard, minister of agriculture and marine resources, said: "This group of students epitomises the goals the government has set for the development of this country's youth. I believe these students are well underway to becoming successful entrepreneurs who will blaze new trails in the future."

Addressing the Co-operative Youth Entrepreneur Empowerment Seminar (YEES) Summer Camp's closing ceremony and exhibition, held at the Mall at Marathon on Monday, Mr Pintard said the government remains committed to ensuring the positive growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

As part of this year's summer camp, YEES participants were exposed to all the agencies, departments, industries and trades under Mr Pintard's portfolio to encourage the further development of producer and supplier co-operatives.

"It is said that 'Excellence is habit'. It is a lifetime pursuit, and these young entrepreneurs have gotten off to a great start this month," Mr Pintard added. "My ministry is very pleased with the investment made.

"As a result of the camp, agri-centric careers and fields of livestock farming, agri-business, marine science, handicraft, cosmetology, straw craft and souvenir craft, farming, agri-food processing and beekeeping are now more promising as a result."

The ceremony and exhibition, held under the theme "Youth Embracing Excellence Successfully", showcased authentic Bahamian souvenirs made from coral reef seashells, mahogany fig pods and native flora leaves.

Included in the designs were a Bahama Mama doll, Regatta sloops, hair broaches, native thatch plait and seashell dinner napkin holders. "One of the most authentic souvenirs I have ever seen is the seashell business card holder, a must see, a must have," the agriculture minister said.

He committed to being the first client of the seashell business card holder. Every senior manager in the Ministry of Agriculture will now receive a Bahamian-manufactured card holder for their desk.

Another product on display was a skin care line produced from native tomatoes and cucumbers. "Imagine the cost savings when you produce your own skincare products," Mr Pintard said. "This complete skincare line includes exotic cucumber and farm fresh tomato astringents, raw natural honey and cinnamon exotic facial scrub/masque."

Mr Pintard said he hoped these items would be featured at BAIC's upcoming Bahama Art Festival, scheduled for November 2018. He added that he visited the camp during the food processing session, and saw pepper sauce, tomato sauce, Guava and Juju jams, yogurt and candy being worked on.

"I am advised that the session's objective was to equip the participants with agricultural processing skills," he said. "Having witnessed the processing in action, we thought it deserved to be shared with everyone".

All participants received a certificate for their efforts during the summer camp.