Agriculture Minister pleased with Containerised Vegetable Production project
.jpg) |
| Minister of Agriculture on Nevis addressing students of the St. Thomas Primary School |
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (October 17, 2007) -- Minister of Agriculture on Nevis Hon. Robelto Hector gave his stamp of approval for the contribution of primary school students to agriculture on Nevis who were involved in a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) funded Containerised Vegetable Production project at the St. Thomas’ and the Ivor Walters Primary Schools.
At the official launch of the project at the St. Thomas Primary School in Jessups Village on October 16, 2007 the United Nations’ annual World Food Day celebrations the Agriculture Minister told the students, that their early exposure to agriculture should propel them to become future professionals in that field. The day is being celebrated with the theme “The Right to Food”
He impressed upon the students to remain focussed on their school work but urged them to familiarise themselves with new methods of production as technology evolved. He pointed to the use of greenhouses and hydroponics which required little or no soil.
Mr. Hector also told the students that they should support the farmers and fishers on Nevis, who continued to play a major part in the island’s food security. He reminded them too, to say a prayer for the millions of less fortunate persons worldwide who had gone without a meal that morning.
The containerised garden project formed part of a United Nation’s Tele Food project was launched on World Food Day.
 |
 |
|
Students reap their first crop of lettuce from their containerised vegetable Garden with the assistance of Extension Officer of the Department of Agriculture Mr. Ruben Vyphus
|
A section of the containerised vegetable garden at the St. Thomas Primary School while students look on
|
As reflected in this year’s theme, the United Nations Human Rights states that everyone should at all times have access to or the means to procure food that was sufficient in quality and quantity.
Meantime, Deputy Director of Agriculture on Nevis Mr. Keithley Amory, outlined the objectives of the project and praised the St. Thomas Primary School for its zeal. He said their enthusiasm had earned the school the position of flagship of the programme. The project commenced there in early September 2007, and later that same month at the Ivor Walters Primary School in Prospect.
“The St. Thomas Primary School has been our most promising guinea pig where the enthusiasm is high and the willingness of the children to learn is a pleasure to see. Because of this and the additional fact that it has a School Feeding Programme, we sought the assistance of the FAO through their Telefood Programme and were successful in getting US$10,000 to do this project - $5,000 for each school.
 |
 |
| Principal Ms. Earlene Maynard and two of her students showing of the first crop of lettuce from their schools containerised garden |
FAO National Correspondent Dr. Keith Archibald presents a poster to Mr. Wakely Daniel (L) Principal of the Ivor Walters Primary School in Prospect |
“The objectives of the project are to improve the nutritional status of the children through the production of vegetables for the Feeding programme; to stimulate an early interest of the children at the two schools through their participation in the project and the use of the garden as a teaching tool and to generate income for the school,” he said.
~~Adz:Right~~ Mr. Amory further explained it was also expected that the project would generate an increased interest and knowledge of vegetable production by the students; greater nutritional and balanced meals for the students; greater income from the sale of excess production and a simple record keeping system of crop production activities and cost implementation.
He said the project which would be implemented in other primary schools on Nevis, had been in the pipeline since 2005 and had received approval from the FAO in 2006 to commence that September.
However, due to a number of delays, the project commenced in September 2007 but Mr. Amory remained hopeful that although it earmarked to last for a one year period, the project would become an integral part of the schools programme.
Mr. Amory singled out Extension Officer Mr. Ruben Vyphus and his field workers for their hard work and dedication which he believed were responsible for the instillation of the willingness and enthusiasm in the students and teachers in the project.
Among those present at the event were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Pearlivan Wilkin, Director of Agriculture Dr. Kelvin Daly, Principal Education Officer Mrs. Jennifer Hodge and FAO National Correspondent Dr. Keith Archibald.
END
