The Pacific Agriculture and Forestry Policy Network (PAFPNet) recently held a ‘PAFPNet Youth in Agriculture Essay Competition’. The contest was an initiative of PAFPNet to promote the ‘Pacific Youth in Agriculture Strategy’  that was recently launched at the Fourth Regional Meeting of the Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services (HOAFS) held in early September, 2010, in the Fiji Islands. The essay was also initiated to encourage young people to give their views about the challenges our Pacific Youths face when engaging in agricultural activities.

One of the key issues raised in the strategy was the need to provide opportunities for young people to express themselves and their needs when it comes to pursuing a career in agriculture.

Dr Ken Cokanasiga, Officer in Charge, and head of Animal Health and Production thematic team, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) presented the 3^rd prize award to Mr Corzzierrah Posala, a Solomon Islands student studying at the University of the South Pacific on Friday 29^th, October, 2010.

“The theme of the competition was based on agricultural development which inspired me to participate since I could relate to agriculture as a vital part of the Pacific life,” said Mr. Corzzierrah Posala.

On receiving the award, Mr. Posala said that he was both surprised and happy with his win. Mr. Posala thanked the PAFPNet Secretariat, the Land Resources Division (LRD) at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), for organising the competition saying that it allowed young people to express their views on agricultural development more freely.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) would like to thank all the participants from around the region and congratulates all the winners:

• 1^st prize: Ms. Alana Tukuniu, Niue

• 2^nd prize: Mr. Timothy Massing, Vanuatu

• 3^rd prize: was shared between Mr. Corzzierrah Posala, Solomon Islands and the youngest participant Ms. Chrisnrita Tolonga Aumanu who is also from the Solomon Islands and is a student of Xavier College, Fiji Islands. The judges had a tough time trying to choose between these two entries and reached a conclusion that the 3^rd prize award be split between the two participants.

All of the winning essays and other entries deserving of commendation are available at http://www.spc.int/lrd/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=347&Itemid=130

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