St Catherine High gets high-tech agri boost

St Catherine High School is now equipped with a modern greenhouse capable of supporting more than 1,000 plants using a hydroponic system, following its delivery under the Improving Rural Livelihoods Through Resilient Agri-Food Systems (IRL) Project.

The facility was officially handed over on March 25 during the project's closing ceremony at the school. Its installation marks the culmination of a wider rollout that also saw the distribution of 14 greenhouses, 7.5 tonnes of fertiliser, and key agricultural supplies, including seedling trays, personal protective equipment (PPE), and farming tools.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, in his keynote address, announced an additional boost for the institution, committing two hydroponic towers through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to further strengthen students' exposure to modern farming techniques. The initiative aligns with the ministry's broader push to introduce vertical farming systems in high schools across Jamaica.

"We want... to introduce them (young people) to the modern technology. They are going to come out and be the future of agriculture. We want to ensure that when your students leave, they are top of the line in relation to agriculture," Green said.

The minister also revealed that a new scholarship programme will be rolled out this year to support top-performing agricultural science students at the secondary level.

Under the initiative, the leading male and female students in each parish will receive full funding to pursue tertiary studies in agriculture.

"Youth are a big part of our resilience mechanism for the future of agriculture [and]... one of the things that we have recognised is that the top students in high school in agriculture normally find themselves in other professions. We want them to stay in agriculture," the minister said.

"So, the Government is embarking on a new programme, where the top boy and top girl in every parish in agriculture will get a full scholarship to pursue tertiary agricultural studies," he added.

Principal Marlon Campbell welcomed the addition, expressing appreciation to the Government of India for its contribution. He noted that the greenhouse will significantly enhance the learning environment by giving students practical exposure to sustainable agriculture.

"The greenhouse represents a tangible investment in our future, offering our students unparallel opportunities to engage with the natural world, learn about sustainable practices, and cultivate a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship," Campbell said.

He urged students to take full advantage of the facility, describing it as a dynamic space for exploration and innovation.

"It is a space where you can learn about the importance of biodiversity, the challenges of climate change, and innovative solutions that can help us create a more sustainable future. We encourage you to embrace this opportunity with enthusiasm and curiosity and to use this resource to its fullest potential," he urged.

Campbell also encouraged students to treat the greenhouse as a "living laboratory," where they can carry out experiments and deepen their understanding of botany.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative for Jamaica, Dr Ana Touza, highlighted the broader impact of the IRL Project, noting that students involved have shown that agriculture extends beyond the classroom.

She said their participation underscores the sector's potential to reduce reliance on imports while driving innovation and improving market access.

The IRL Project, launched in 2023, was funded through a US$1-million contribution from the Government of India via the India-United Nations Fund for Development Partnership. It was executed by the FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and coordinated by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation.