Ministry of Agriculture & Lands–In an effort to strengthen the awareness of the undeniable effects of climate change and promote Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) Practices, a number of Agricultural Extension Assistants participated in a two-day workshop centered on𝐴𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡.
The two-day workshop, facilitated by SAEP Consultant, Mr. Steve Maximay, is one in a series of workshops organized by the Climate Smart Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Development Program (SAEP), geared at building capacity of officers.
Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Ministry of Climate Resilience, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique affairs, participated in the exercise, held at the Hospitality Room of the National Stadium, recently.
The use of CSA for Agri-business and Looped Chain Development and Brand Agricultural Products and Processes as climate-smart, were among some of the highlights of the workshop.
The entire idea of Climate-Smart Agriculture, said Maximay, “is meant to improve food security and agricultural productivity, increase the resilience of farming systems to climate change by adaptation, whilst capturing mitigation co-benefits.”
Maximay, who has over 20 years of experience in the area of Climate-Smart Agriculture, explained the rationale behind the training, as one which would build the adaptive capacity of the Agricultural Extension Assistants; thus allowing farmers, students, and the population to receive information that can increase resilience and resource use efficiency in agricultural production systems.
Agronomist and Unit Coordinator for SAEP, Gabriel Clarke, said the training is rightly suited for young agricultural officers.
“They are the future,” he said. “And in order for us to ensure the sustainability of the sector under the constant effects of climate change, we have to ensure that the younger generation of Agricultural Extension Officers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills so that they can continue with the process of producing food and feeding the nation.”
A total of fifty-three (53) officers benefitted from the session, as they identified how the areas focused on aligns to the work that they do.
Mellisa Tyson 4H officer said, “The training will allow us, as officers, to have an idea of the areas to begin our awareness campaigns in schools. We would be able to develop among the 4-H’ers some of the Climate Smart Agricultural Practices. We have projects such as rainwater harvesting that have been backed by funding from SAEP and once our children are knowledgeable about this, they would be able to implement these practices.”
Another extension assistant, Lisa Walker, described the session as timely.
“It’s timely too. In the dry season we can focus more on rainwater harvesting and composting. This would allow us to meet farmers full way,” she stated.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is pleased that officers were afforded the opportunity to increase their knowledge in Climate Smart Practices and looks forward to future collaborations with the Climate Smart and Rural Enterprise Development Program (SAEP).
Ministry of Agriculture – ensuring food and nutrition security for all
