SUSTAINABLE farming using the shade house technique is gaining popularity, and youth participating in the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme are being encouraged to invest in this type of farming.This was evident during a recent visit to indigenous villages located in the lower Pomeroon River, Region Two.Jessica Hadfield, Manager of Adel’s Resort, a tourist getaway located at the mouth of the Akawini Creek, plays an integral role in educating the youths about this type of farming solution, since historically hundreds of acres of farm lands in the riverain communities are affected during the spring tide season.

Thousands of dollars’ worth of produce are destroyed during this time and with this in mind, coupled with the effectiveness of this type of farming, Jessica has set the pace and has erected a three-section 20’x20’ shade house equipped with large boxes filled with soil.

According to her, the soil was collected from Akawini, Wakapao and Kabakaburi and plants are thriving in the various soil types under those conditions among the tomatoes, peppers, white radish, egg plant, eschalot, basil, squash and bora. She explained that because of the unavoidable climatic conditions, shade house farming will prove to be very effective in that region.

“It’s a great place to work and not like standing in a field, because here I got all my planting trays, they can either do it themselves or buy planting cups [the normal sanitary cups] like I did for the shade house; so there is no excuse for not planting, because this is the enabler, you are not gonna flood because what you have here is perfect optimum conditions all year round.”

Jessica said she sees great prospects in Wakapao and is keen on setting up a shade house in that village, since the prospects are great. According to her, based on the village’s population of approximately 3,000, more than 70 per cent of the population has to travel to Charity to purchase fresh vegetables.

“Nobody grows, so the fact is you can have every one of those students cluster together, four in each group and build a rain shade house scattered around the place, they can supply that lot… and so on and everything I use they can find them in their communities; I use no fancy things, there is no reason they cannot get together and make a profitable business by either selling the seedlings, fruits or vegetables.”

She noted that work can be done under any circumstances and has offered her expertise to the ministry through the HEYS programme free of charge and is hopeful that the youths and village councils can buy into this proven method of farming.

The contribution made by Jessica towards this has caused Charles, who is a local carpenter from Wakapao, to construct one of his own and has pledged to give of his time and energy to build shade houses for any village associated with the HEYS programme.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe in commending the interest shown by Hadfield, added that “This is what HEYS is all about, it cannot stand by itself, that is why when HEYS was being conceptualised we sought to get the community buy-in, the buy-in of the councillors…so Adel’s (Jessica) here is in the right place at the right time and she has an enthusiasm for the programme I have to say.”

According to Minister Garrido-Lowe, Jessica’s interests lie beyond agricultural development, given the fact that she has shown keen interest in development of the youths in the area of eco-tourism.

“I also spoke to her about Eco-Tourism and Hospitality, where they can go and train in the whole hospitality programme; it’s not just having a hotel or having an eco-lodge but the service, that food that you serve, all those things; so Jessica is a perfect example of what mentorship is all about and how the businesses can start mentoring these youths to become successful entrepreneurs,” the minister acknowledged.

The minister is encouraging other interested person/s or businesses that are located in villages to support the youths, so that they can realise their dreams.