In Conversation with Paradise Produce

Paradise Produce is a youth-led agricultural initiative based in Trinidad and Tobago, founded by Jabari Clarke with a clear mission: to grow fresh, sustainable food while reshaping what modern Caribbean agriculture can look like. Rooted in innovation, environmental care, and community impact, Paradise Produce blends technology-driven farming methods with a deep commitment to food security and education. Through hydroponic systems, sustainable growing practices, and youth engagement, the project is building practical solutions to local health, climate, and access challenges — proving that agriculture can be progressive, profitable, and led by the next generation.

What is your name and what do you do? 

My name is Jabari Clarke, founder of Paradise Produce, 2023 National Youth Award winner in Agriculture, and a young agricultural entrepreneur aiming to grow food and contribute to food security in Trinidad and Tobago.

What was the moment you decided that the soil was where you belonged? 

Since childhood I have always been interested in the natural world and science, and I was formally introduced to agriculture in secondary school. During the Covid-19 lockdown, I built my first NFT hydroponic system at home and started selling fresh herbs to my neighbours. That simple startup experience revealed the potential of modern agriculture and ignited my passion for agriculture, food security, and youth entrepreneurship.

What is the biggest misconception people have about being a “young farmer”? 

One of the biggest misconceptions about being a young farmer is that the work stops at the soil. Modern agriculture is science-driven and business-focused, powered by irrigation systems, engineering, technology, and constant innovation.

How does the way we grow food in Trinidad directly affect the health of our local communities? 

Non-communicable diseases are a major health crisis in Trinidad and Tobago. Degraded soils mean less nutritious food, and weak local agriculture pushes communities toward imported, highly processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, directly harming public health.

With changing weather patterns and unpredictable rainy seasons, how are you adapting? 

I designed and built a solar-powered, vertical hydroponic shade house in my backyard that grows over 1,000 plants. This system was inspired by limited access to agricultural land and the need to increase production to meet growing community demand for sustainably grown produce.

What does “sustainability” mean to you in a practical sense?

 In a practical sense, sustainability means personalising food security and reshaping what commercial agricultural production looks like. It’s about prioritising methods that protect environmental health — such as using hydroponic systems that increase productivity per square foot, and relying on natural and organic pesticides and repellents. It also means growing fresh, healthy food for my family and community, leading by example, and proving that sustainability can be profitable while sharing that knowledge with the next generation through my platforms.

When you’re teaching young people, what is the first lesson you give them? 

The first lesson I teach them is that food security is everyone’s business. Once you can take control of it, you gain access to a healthier diet, strengthen local food systems, and improve food sovereignty.

How does learning to grow your own food empower a young person? Learning to grow food gives young people control, confidence, and the ability to shape their future.

What is the biggest barrier keeping young Trinidadians out of agriculture?

In my humble opinion, the biggest barrier keeping young Trinidadians out of agriculture is the lack of emphasis placed on the industry by the government. Young people bring innovation, energy, and new opportunities to agriculture, but without strong institutional support, the sector struggles to attract and retain them.

What do you want your legacy to be for the agricultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago?

My goal is to revolutionise agriculture by proving that commercial production can be sustainable, youth-led, and focused on real food security, creating a model that serves Trinidad and Tobago and can be scaled across the CARICOM region.

Do you consider farming to be creative?

Yes, I do consider farming to be creative. Farming is the act of creating life-sustaining systems. When it’s done with intention and passion, it becomes a form of applied creativity. Every farmer is working with a unique canvas: their land, climate, resources, culture, and constraints. The way you design beds, choose crops, manage water, integrate technology, or even package and tell the story of the food — those are all creative decisions.