MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Two secondary schools in Manchester are set to see the benefits from the use of vertical hydroponic towers in the enhancement of agricultural programmes for students.

The schools namely, Manchester High and Holmwood Technical High, were presented with the towers on Thursday during a handing over ceremony in Mandeville.

Chief Executive Officer at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Garnet Edmondson, said hydroponics makes agriculture attractive.

“Our younger minds don’t like to go outside and till the soil. They don’t want to take up a cutlass. They don’t want to drive tractors, so the new technology of tower farms will attract them and bring a new era of production in agriculture,” he said.

“You can grow multiple plants in this one tower and that gives you an advantage right away…so in investing in schools this way I do hope that the schools will take on these towers and want to multiply,” he added.

He also committed to lobby for the repair of a greenhouse at Manchester High and the presentation of another there.

“We will be coming back to ensure that your greenhouse is fixed… you will be benefiting from the new greenhouse, so you will have two greenhouses in a very short while,” he said.

“When I look around and I see the number of students here it warms my heart to know that agriculture is alive and well. Just by your numbers here it tells me that there are still students who are interested in agriculture… We want to bring back youth in agriculture. They are our future and if we invest in them we are investing in agriculture,” he added.

Agriculture State Minister Frank Witter also cited the benefits of hydroponics.

“The vertical farming tower represents the future of farming in Jamaica. This shows that agriculture can strive even where land space is limited using modern climate smart technologies that conserves water and increases productivity,” he said.

“These towers will become living classrooms allowing students to learn science, nutrition, technology and entrepreneurship in a very practical way. We want our young people to understand that agriculture is not outdated, because we cannot survive without agriculture. Food is the staff of life,” he added.

He pointed to the challenges with urbanisation in areas like Mandeville where hydroponics is suitable for farming.

“What we are placing here today is an investment in the next generation of farmers, agro business and agriculture scientists. The truth is urbanisation and population growth continue to place immense pressure on the global food system particularly in urban areas where space for traditional agriculture is increasingly limited, such as right here in Mandeville,” he said.

— Kasey Williams

Agriculture State Minister Frank Witter (third left) presenting hydroponic equipment to Holmwood Technical High’s agricultural science teacher Shania Wright (third right). Looking on are students Kiana Plummer, Samoya Skeene and Simmonette Beamount.

Agriculture State Minister Frank Witter speaking at Thursday’s function in Mandeville.

Chief executive officer at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Garnet Edmondson speaking at Thursday’s function in Mandeville.