– Granger sees many positive spinoffs from venture
THE community of Victoria, on the East Coast of Demerara, commissioned its hydroponic covered farming area a few days ago, as part of the agricultural extension project of the GRECO (Guyana Radio Electrical Company) Training Centre, worth close to two million dollars. The project received funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Canadian High Commission.
Speaking at the event, held on a plot of land previously used for farming, Canadian High Commissioner David Devine described the initiative as one that required a number of skills to make it possible. He explained that this technology should be taught to students and children in order to equip them with diversified abilities to earn a living.
Also present at the event was Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier (retd.) David Granger. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Mr. Granger called the initiative commendable, especially since the hands that plow the land are those enrolled in a remedial institution. He also told the Chronicle that he was pleased with the project, noting that he had been visiting the community for several years and what was witnessed was that the project would be advantageous for the community, as it provided economic, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for those who live in that community.
Granger also underscored the need for more skills training for young people.
Meanwhile, speaking on the birth of the project, Desmond Saul, Principal of the GRECO Training Centre, said the commissioning came almost nine years after the centre had opened its doors in 2003. He said that ever since the centre opened its doors, it had been receiving assistance from the Canadian High Commission.
Mr. Saul explained that the hydroponic covered farming area project was started in November 2011, and that although the centre catered for school drop-outs, there was some amount of academic subjects that were taught as well. He said teachers and other persons offering their services to the centre, and by extension the students, do so voluntarily.
The students, too, were exposed to skills training, such as electrical instillation, sewing, carpentry, welding, and music. The music teacher unfortunately died last year, but Roy Geddes has been teaching the students how to play pan music.
Saul explained that, despite there being no music teacher, music was still on the cards, and continues to be a project for the future at the centre.
Some time ago, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport had promised to assist the centre to acquire a proper steel band, but that assistance never materialised.
The hydroponic covered farming area is situated on a plot of land adjacent to where the students did farming previously. Saul told media operatives that one of the difficulties they encountered with farming the land was that several students were too keen on farming and weeding the land.
He said that while some of the students may move on to the Guyana School of Agriculture after leaving the centre, the aim was to ensure that while they remained students of that institution, they were all exposed to agriculture, because with its numerous benefits, the students were expected to be able to generate income and become self-sufficient.
Another intention of the centre was to ensure that students were encouraged to start their own small nurseries at home, which could eventually become revenue-earning.
He made the point while noting that agriculture can be done on either a large or small scale basis.