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Home | Members of the hearing-impaired community trained in smart agricultural techniques
Participant and graduate of the recently concluded Climate Smart Agriculture Greenhouse Production training programme, Kimberly Simpson, presents Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, with a gift basket during the graduation ceremony at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf in Knockpatrick, Manchester on February 2.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining in support of the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) efforts to foster an inclusive society, recently provided training in smart techniques in agriculture to members of the hearing-impaired community.
The 10 weeks practical training programme, dubbed the Climate Smart Agriculture Greenhouse Production training programme, was spearheaded by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Red Cross and was held at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) in Knockpatrick, Manchester.
About twenty students with hearing impairment received training in a variety of agricultural techniques such as introduction to Greenhouse Production, Crop Management and Nutrition and the Safe Use of Pesticides and were recently presented with certificates and other awards at the graduation exercise held on the grounds of CCCD on Friday, February 2.
Keynote speaker at the event, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, the Hon. Franklin Witter, says he feels a sense of pride in witnessing the participants achieving such a milestone becoming pioneers in the field of agriculture.
“Through these extensive training and hands-on demonstrations, you have not only acquired the necessary skills but have also become pioneers in your communities in the field of agriculture,” he said.
Minister Witter also adds that with the present impact of climate change on agriculture, training in greenhouse farming will afford the students the opportunity to contribute to food security.
“Greenhouses provide a controlled environment that allows for year-round cultivation. The skills you would have acquired are not only relevant to entrepreneurship but are also instrumental in addressing the challenges associated with food security,” Witter outlined.
The agriculture state minister says the training represents inclusivity in the sector and hopes that it will incite other such initiatives involving vulnerable members of the society, the disabled community in particular.
“It also signifies inclusivity in agriculture through the training received as we seek to break barriers and inspire others facing physical challenges to join the agricultural realm,” he said.
On the other hand, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for RADA, Winston Simpson, has outlined that the training represents a milestone for the authority, as it leads the way in provision of training in greenhouse production to members of the hearing-impaired community.
“This pioneering effort underlines our commitment to expanding the horizons of education and training, ensuring that no community, no individual is left behind,”
The RADA CEO also expressed that the programme would have paved the way for a future in which barriers to opportunities are broken, allowing access to all members of society.
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