Farmers receive training

During The Gleaner's recent visit to Mocho, president of the Jamaica Greenhouse Growers Association, Jervis Rowe, was conducting a class on pest and diseases of sweet peppers and tomatoes - the primary plants grown in greenhouses locally.

He explained that classes are held Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. The class comprises mature adults united in a quest for knowledge that will give them an all-important edge in the agricultural sector.

Former Clarendon College student Marlene Sparkes, who grew up on a farm, has jumped at the opportunity to get some formal training in agriculture, which she considers important, despite more than 30 years of farming on her own.

"I keep trying to get into an agriculture programme. I applied to the HEART/Trust over six years. They say they would place me, but they didn't, so I am here trying to see what the greenhouse technology is all about, and also to implement it in my daily life," she shares.

In addition to orchard crops, Sparkes cultivates cash crops and has livestock including cows, goats, pigs, and chickens. She admits that despite her vast experience, she is learning a lot. "It helps me towards managing my farm better and even gives me options on what I can do to make life better."

Another student, Nikardo Anderson, has his mind set on doing big things in agriculture. After coming three months later than his classmates, the minister of religion, who borrowed notes, has now caught up with his classmates. He cultivates yam, potato, banana, and plantain, among other crops.

"The reason I am here is that I realise this is where agriculture is going and I want to set one (greenhouse) up in a couple of months. I just don't want to employ people, I want to have the knowledge myself, so that was my main reason for doing this course," said Nikardo Anderson.

- C.S.