'My First Agricultural Job' Program Aims to Bring 2,000 Youths into Agriculture Sector

Panama's government is intensifying its efforts to integrate young people into the agricultural sector through an expanded "Mi Primer Empleo Agro" (My First Agricultural Job) program. This initiative targets individuals between 17 and 24 years old, aiming to provide them with their initial formal work experience in agriculture and encourage a new generation to take up roles in rural areas.

The program is a key component of the "Panamá Pa’Tí" plan and has set a goal of generating 2,000 employment opportunities. These positions will be distributed across the provinces of Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas, and Darién, regions vital to the country's agricultural output.

“

The initiative forms part of the 'Panamá Pa’Tí' plan and contemplates the generation of 2,000 job placements distributed in Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Darién.

To assess the program's progress and connect with participants, the Minister of Agricultural Development, Roberto Linares, and the Minister of Labor and Workforce Development, Jackeline Muñoz, embarked on a working tour of the Herrera and Los Santos provinces. Their itinerary included visits to farms such as producer Ricardo Franco's in Mariabe, Pedasí, which focuses on pepper, milk, and pork production, and Reinaldo Paz's farm in Pocrí, dedicated to cattle and chicken farming.

“

The importance of expanding these types of initiatives to strengthen the agricultural sector and generate new employment opportunities for young people.

During their farm visits, the ministers spoke with young interns who began their placements on August 3rd. Minister Linares highlighted the importance of such initiatives in bolstering the agricultural sector and creating new employment avenues for youth. Minister Muñoz underscored the inter-ministerial collaboration, noting that the program also supports small producers by providing them with new labor.

By integrating interns into local farms, authorities hope to strengthen the connection between younger generations and the country's productive rural activities. The program also aims to foster technical training, encourage innovation, and ultimately promote the retention of young talent within the agricultural sector.

“

The coordination between the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development and the Ministry of Agricultural Development, noting that the program also seeks to support small producers through the incorporation of new labor.