Washington Archibald High cultivates interest in agriculture

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Washington Archibald High School has demonstrated its commitment to erasing the stigma associated with agriculture after having its first successful harvest of cantaloupe yesterday (June 26).

The project was launched by the school in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of China on Taiwan and has, within a matter of months, transformed unused school land to a small cantaloupe farm, the produce of which have been given an impressive Grade B, according to the Taiwanese Mission.

Within an extended growing period, the group of green-thumbed students were able to harvest oversized specimens of the fruit, weighing up to eight pounds – a local agricultural rarity.

Alvanez Harris, Alicia Smith and Kellian Kelly were all acknowledged for their outstanding workmanship and for their unwavering commitment to the project.

According to the school’s Agricultural Science teacher, Lindbergh Belle, the Taiwanese Embassy gave all the high schools an opportunity to participate in the school farming programme in order to ensure food security on the islands. Although the school only launched its cantaloupe programme on a small scale, Belle indicated that the students were very excited for the opportunity and were “passionate to give it a try”.

“The students were committed to the programme; they were here like until 5:00 and 6:00 in the evening and were back early in the morning. That showed me that they had great interest in agriculture. This is a programme where we can instil in these children a way of becoming future farmers. They are not just leaving here with the theory alone, but they will have the hands-on practicum to go with it,” Belle told SKNVibes following the official harvest ceremony.

Belle further stated that the project targets young students, as it aims to “change the mindsets of the children now so that when they become the future farmers, they have both the commitment and the liking”. He informed that four of the 10 student-farmers have indicated their interest in establishing a farm of their own, a venture the Embassy has committed to assist.

Resident Ambassador for the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Rong Chuan Wu said while the success of the long-term project could not easily be measured, the fruits of the students’ labour have reflected good signs of success. He pledged that the Mission would assist students interested in farming and applauded those for their interest shown in the project.

“Traditionally, doing agriculture has been defined as a drudgery job, so we would like to seize the opportunity and use this project to show to the students that this is a job that requires technology and commitment and can bring good profits. All the students have been engaged fully in the project, which is a very good thing,” Wu said.

According to Ambassador Wu, the project would continue into the new school year and would see sweet peppers and other crops being cultivated by the nation’s next generation of farmers.