THERE has been an increase in the number of students at Winston Jones High School in Prattville, Manchester, who have been showing an interest in agriculture.

School administrators said there has been a deliberate strategy to have students develop an appreciation of the importance of agriculture in enhancing food security, preparing them for external assessments while equipping them with the knowledge and skills for higher education or to pursue farming as a business.

The training is hands-on whereby students are actively engaged in planting a variety of crops and rearing livestock on the school’s expansive farm, learning innovative farming methods such as hydroponics and aeroponics and best practices in food and animal production.

Among the crops cultivated are callaloo, pak choi, sweet pepper, tomato and lettuce, while the school is also engaged in chicken, goat, rabbit and fish farming.

Principal of the institution, Dr Marrie Wilson-McLaughlin said agriculture is part of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, and agricultural science is a subject offered at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.

“So, the farm is very important because we use it to demonstrate and to bridge the gap between theory and practice for our students who are not just learning, but have an opportunity to demonstrate what they learn,” she said.

The farm, she added, provides healthy, fresh and nutritious food for students.

“We also sell to persons in the immediate community, staff members, and vendors,” she said, noting that the school is looking to expand production.

The funds generated from sales go back into the farm and towards improving technology.

The school’s greenhouse was destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July, and the Administration is looking to source funds for construction of a new conservatory.

Wilson-McLaughlin has, meanwhile, credited the practical, hands-on training for the school’s success in external exams. “Last year we had 84 per cent [passes in CSEC],” she noted.

In addition, 10 students were awarded scholarships under the Rio Tinto Alcan Legacy Fund last year, enabling them to pursue tertiary studies in agriculture.

“We have students who have matriculated to the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE),” she told JIS News.

The principal said graduates of the institution are also attending the Costa Rica-based EARTH University, “so, our graduates can be found all over Jamaica doing agriculture-related activities”.

“Many of them have gone into agri-business as well as establishing their own farms,” she said further, adding that several of them are also teaching in schools across the island.

Agricultural science teacher at the institution, Dwayne Dixon said that the students are being equipped to become entrepreneurs, noting that some already have their own poultry farms.

Analisa Jackson Wilson, who also teaches agriculture, says the farm is making an impact in the school and wider community.

Adrianna Foster, a student who wants to become an agronomist, says she has always had a love for agriculture.

“Growing up, I’ve seen my grandfather and my grandmother doing agriculture so that’s what draw me to it and that’s why I’m actually studying to be an agronomist right now. I feed the chickens and plant crops such as pak choi and sweet peppers,” she told JIS News.

Another student, Michael Reid, who is engaged in chicken rearing, is looking to pursue farming as a business.

He noted the importance of agriculture to food security and earnings.

“So, the first thing is the food and next, you have the money. It creates opportunities and it brings in foreign income to the country,” the youngster said.