From left, NCU Farm Manager Donald Sergeon explains the operations of the recently opened hydroponics greenhouse to Dr Maria Smith (Programme Manager, Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO); Lenford Salmon (Senior Advisor, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport); and NCU President, Professor Lincoln Edwards on September 6, 2023.
Two hundred women and youths will be trained to grow vegetables using hydroponics technology at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville. The project, which is aimed at promoting food security and employment among vulnerable groups, is sponsored by the Jamaica National Commission (JNC) for the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) through a grant of USD 21,000.
The 1500 square feet greenhouse was handed over to NCU on September 6. The fully automated facility is capable of producing 1600 vegetable plants (lettuce and Pak choi) in six weeks, three times more than would be produced from the ground. Training will be conducted by the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Allied Health and Nursing which is headed by Professor Vincent Wright.
Professor Vincent Wright, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Allied Health and Nursing at NCU, officiates at the handover of the UNESCO-Funded Innovative Farming Project.
In remarks delivered on her behalf, Culture Minister Olivia Grange noted that despite Jamaica currently experiencing low unemployment, there were gaps related to women and youths who had no certification.
“This is why this project is so significant at a time like this, as it seeks to offer invaluable training to these two subsectors in particular…and I encourage the women and youths in this area to avail themselves of this glorious opportunity,” said Minister Grange in remarks delivered by Senior Advisor Lenford Salmon.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, NCU President Professor Lincoln Edwards noted that there are many women farmers who wish to upgrade their skills and use appropriate technology to add value to their existing operations. He added that the hydroponics training project will also provide youths with the opportunity to empower themselves to achieve fulfilled, productive lives.
Professor Edwards disclosed that NCU offers a slew of agricultural-related degree programmes and diplomas “at a critical time in Jamaica and world history, when food security is a real global concern”. This comes against the background of the university’s rich history in agriculture since its founding in 1907, which includes being the first entity in Manchester to grow large orchards of strawberries and oranges for on-campus uses, sale and export of orange and ortanique juice across the Caribbean.
The NCU President also highlighted that during the past 20 years the university has engaged in agricultural events and has hosted agricultural fora like the Youth in Agriculture Symposium of February 2020. In addition, research by NCU faculty Deshaun Martin-Clarke has led to the “Pest Forecasting System” that now assists in fighting been army worm infestations.
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