The St Kitts-Nevis Agricultural Youth Forum has been able to source the two shade houses that will be used by several schools in their Agricultural Programme, through the help of the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives. It is believed that these shade houses will help to increase interest in agriculture, by student.
The shade houses are expected to perform various tasks, which include: to provide a secure location for research and experiments for school children; enhance the farming industry within the federation, starting with the schools; provide practical and theoretical training for young farmers and schools; enhancement of agricultural technology in the schools, moving away from traditional agriculture; and provide aspects of the CSEC/CXC syllabus more readily available to students.
Speaking at a handing over ceremony on Thursday, 26th January, 2012, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Timothy Harris stated, “I want to begin by congratulating the youthful members of the St Kitts-Nevis Agricultural Youth Forum for putting forward a winning project.”
Minister Harris continued, “I hope that this shade house will spark the imagination of our students and nurture a greater love for agriculture. By establishing crops in shade houses we can improve children’s lives by boosting academic interest in the subject of agriculture, cultivating their life skills and promoting environmental stewardship on the part of our students.”
Dr. Harris also revealed that the shade houses will demonstrate that the grind and strain of traditional agriculture can be overcome. He said, “We want our students to observe the difference which science and technology makes.”
He added, “Today’s event, then, is full of symbolism but beyond symbolism is the real hope it offers, that we are turning the corner. We are seeing more clearly that without agriculture there is no civilization.”
The total cost of the project is approximately US $22,000.