Young farmer turns passion into award-winning success

From a tender age, 2026 National Young Champion Farmer, Ricardo Genus, cultivated a passion for farming that has blossomed into a lifelong pursuit of innovation, excellence, and transformative leadership.

With approximately 145 acres under cultivation, Genus, who formally entered the agricultural sector at the age of 19, has embraced modern technology, diversified his crop production, and adopted practices that have enhanced both productivity and sustainability. Over the years, Genus, who proudly described farming as being in his DNA, has embraced an inclusive business model that empowers his workers by giving them a stake in the enterprise.

Genus, who hails from Golden Grove, St Ann, explained that, beyond the specialised tools, machinery and vehicles used for crop cultivation and livestock rearing, he also utilises technology such as drones, cameras and trained dogs to support his farming operations. He acknowledged the need for additional equipment to further expand production, including a harvester, a D4 or D6 bulldozer for land preparation, two Bobcats and a hay baler, which would enable him to produce hay for his animals and supply other farmers.

The Ferncourt High School alumnus, who celebrates his 35th birthday this month, told JIS News that although he initially focused on livestock rearing as he has a love for animals ever since he was a boy.

“But then I realised that I needed the crops [to improve] cash flow, so I ventured into crops [such as] sweet potatoes, pumpkin, hot peppers, cabbage, tomatoes, and sweet peppers. For goat, we do goat milking. I’m doing cattle dairy [as well]. So it’s an innovative farm where we’re doing different fields of agriculture,” he said.

Genus admitted that farming comes with its challenges, but he remains committed to continuous growth and improvement.

“So what I’m doing now is I’m trying to put in two or three ponds… I’m trying to do a lot of water harvesting, trying to get into greenhouse, trying to be efficient where I can produce, and also plant grass for the cows, do soilage making, plant corn, plant sorghum… so I can feed the cattle. It’s all about being efficient, because when you have the crops, it generates a quicker income… when you have the cattle, it’s a long term,” he said.

Describing farming as something he genuinely loves, Genus said he takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow farmers who turn to him for guidance, in terms of what to spray their crops with and what’s the best chemical for nutrition.

“I have a lot of them approaching me to market their farm produce. So I try to be as helpful as I can to other farmers for them to improve,” he indicated.

The former bellhop, who turned down an opportunity to work aboard a cruise ship and instead committed himself fully to farming, said that there is a sense of excitement in being in full control of his enterprise and having access to the technology and equipment needed to grow it. Genus said he has set a goal of acquiring his own property within the next 10 years, noting that while he currently leases the lands on which he operates, land ownership remains one of his key aspirations.

He encouraged individuals interested in pursuing a career in agriculture to surround themselves with positive, productive and efficient people, opining that farming has the potential to both make and break an individual.

“You have to find a way to be motivated and to be inspired by what you are doing. So if you know you have 10 bulls, you can say to yourself… ‘This is $3 million, I’d like to double it to $6 million’. Just try to make it more appealing and inspiring to yourself and, from there, you’ll grow to love it. Money can be made from agriculture, but you have to be motivated,” he said.