School of Agriculture launched in St Catherine to focus on research and development

Finnikin, executive director at the Institute of Vocational and Professional Training (IVPT) outlined the institution’s mission on agriculture now added to its suite of educational offerings.

“We have the three different systems in here. The plains of St Catherine is not a greenhouse-friendly place, so we will be gathering data as to how certain plants are able to respond to greenhouse conditions,” Finnikin said during a tour of its hydroponics greenhouse.

Inside this hydroponics greenhouse students will have the opportunity to analyze plant behaviour in different conditions.

“Over that side we have plastic and over the other side its 50% shade cloth,” Finnikin continued. 

Here students will ultimately learn how to maximize crop yield using less manpower and few acreage.

The goal Finnikin said is “to test them in varying systems” to determine the best method and productivity.

For more than two decades, the IVPT spent a lot of time and resources strengthening its flagship apiculture programme, regarded among the best of its kind on the island. But with the launch of its agriculture school it has certainly made the institution a bigger attraction to the wider Old Harbour community and the parish of St Catherine.

“Your production is multiple times faster under these conditions than out in the field. The capital outlay is a lot more expensive but the repayment is faster than the traditional. The traditional outlay is not as high but the return on investment is greater with hydroponics greenhouse,” added Finnikin during the official launch Thursday that had an Agro Expo component to it.

Added to the mix of hydroponics greenhouse and beekeeping, students will be exposed to the fundamentals and best practices applicable to poultry farming, another important sector that represents the economic backbone of many Jamaican homes.

Through its agro school the Spring Village-based vocational skills training institute has been that bridge for thousands of people – the majority adolescents – seeking personal growth by acquiring a skill.

Presently few Jamaicans are steep in the knowledge of hydroponics farming and general farming. However, the IVPT Agriculture School is about to change that when the first batch of students are enroll in June.

“With the NCTVET programme hydroponics is a Level III certified course and it has a prerequisite of a Level II,” explained the IVPT head. “So you see the immediate problem that we face to attract participants to this programme. However, or sponsors Jalawelo is keen on providing training to people at the lower level. So in the first instance we will provide training at the lower level with IVPT/Jalawelo certification whilst we are collaborating with HEART.”

Jalawelo – an acronym for Jamaica Land We Love – is a non-profit organization registered in Jamaica and founded by Jamaicans. The group supports community development efforts that improve the quality of life amongst the most vulnerable.

Talks are ongoing with HEART – the state’s main skill training institute – said Finnikin with a view to lower the entry requirement for hydroponics.

“If you look at it Level III at NCTVET is supervisory management, which is basically saying the average guy can’t do hydroponics. That’s not where we want to go,” Finnikin said.

IVPT courses vary from 12 weeks to six months and in some instances may last up to a year.

Click here to learn more about the IVPT programmes.