Ministry of Education

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More than 80 schools in the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Trelawny will participate in the Schools Agricultural Science and Environmental Competition and Fair, to be held at the York Castle High School in Brown's Town on May 20.

This is being organized by Region Three of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, under the theme: 'Maintaining Food Security and Saving Jamaican Jobs'.

In an interview with JIS News, Education Officer and Chairman of the Steering Committee, Neil Henry, said the objectives of the event were to get more young people interested in agriculture; to expose students to areas of science such as biology and chemistry, which are related to the practice of agriculture; to allow students to investigate their environment through the observation of plant and animal growth; to develop skills in the production of crop and livestock products; and to present the wide range of career choices in agriculture and other environmental careers.

"The fair is also designed to inform the wider Jamaican public of agriculture in our schools as well as providing an opportunity for the schools to showcase what they have been doing. The students will have the chance to get a broader view of agriculture through the various companies and entities displaying their wares and work," Mr. Henry said.

The Chairman pointed out that there would be displays by the participating schools as well as public, private and non-governmental organizations with an interest in agriculture and the environment.
Cash awards, trophies and certificates of participation would be handed out at the fair, he noted.

Organisations invited to take part are the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA); Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); the University of the West Indies (UWI); the College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE), the Scientific Research Council, Walkerswood Foods, and Grace Kitchens.

Major sponsors for the event are National Environment Education Committee (NEEC), National Commercial Bank (NCB), Agro-Grace, Jamaica Livestock Association, Antilles Chemicals and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.

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