Govt invests $37k in national school farming initiative

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has invested over $37,000 to launch a national school farming initiative.

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Jomo Campbell said on Monday that 15 schools nationwide will receive farming materials, seedlings, and equipment through the programme, each receiving $2,500.

“We hope that this will help to educate students about agriculture, promote self-sustainability, and foster an overall connection to the environment,” he said at a press conference. “Because agriculture is an ageing profession in The Bahamas, school farming programmes are vital to the cause of our ministry as it promotes hands-on learning experiences for students, teaching them about food production and environmental stewardship.”

Mr Campbell noted the programme could also assist with the country’s food security by encouraging local food production that reduces reliance on imported goods.

Mr Campbell said more schools would be added to the programme in the future.

“We will be seeking in the very near future to add another 15 and perhaps more if the funding allows us to do so,” he said. “But as soon as we can accommodate the remainder of the schools, we definitely look forward for that. We want to grow this, and we want to make sure that this initiative isn’t Nassau-centric. We want to touch the Family Islands. We want to get everyone involved.”

David Cates, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, encouraged students to grow their own plants as a business. He said agriculture is an industry that can be informative and lucrative.

Some schools in the programme include DW Davis Junior High, Anatol Rodgers High School, CV Bethel Senior High School, Central Eleuthera High School, Long Island High School, Arthur’s Town High School and Eight Mile Rock High School.

Comments

bahamianson says...

This is a waste of time.what is the point to invest this money? Does the government support farming? The government increased the cost of work permits. This certainly does not help farmers. The tractor that is supposed to help the fatmers has been down since the ladt pandemic in 1920. Why has it not been fixed. Stop with the waste. Students cannot become farmers in this Bahamas. No one wants to work in the sun.

Posted 6 December 2023, 6:59 p.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

What happened to the 33 million dollars to produce eggs? Price eggs going up again and I have yet to see the local eggs.

Budget was from last July. Takes 18 weeks to get eggs from a chicken.

Posted 7 December 2023, 12:07 p.m. Suggest removal

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