A week-long consultative Farmer Field School (FFS) training exercise geared at revolutionizing the agricultural industry and better equipping Caribbean extension officers with the knowledge and skillset needed to facilitate and enhance farming strategies in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection has commenced.
Hosted at the Union Orchid Garden Conference Room the June 12 to 16, 2023 initiative was led by the Agricultural Ministry in partnership with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Multilateral Environmental Agreements Phase 3 (ACP MEAs 3) Project.
During the training exercise, extension officers thoroughly examined various topics from the updated Farmer Field School (FFS) manual under the guidance and expertise of the regional project Coordinator Thérèse Yarde, ACP MEAS’s.
“The FAO has supported the update of Saint Lucia’s Farmer Field School manual, which dated back to 2006. You now have a new farmer field school manual, which we are in the process of developing to publish as an official FAO publication. Following this training, we will be supporting the extension services unit in the delivery of farmer field schools focused on reducing the use of highly hazardous pesticides. So, by the end of the year, hopefully, some of you will be involved in the delivery of farmer field schools in your respective regions,” remarked regional project coordinator Thérèse Yarde.
Chief Extension Officer Eloi Alexis expressed enthusiasm about using his acquired skillset to deliver impactful FFS programs which support farmers in adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
“This movement has spread globally as an effective teaching methodology. The concept embraces the preservation of agroecological systems to guarantee the sustainability of production. As sectoral leaders, we must be equipped with the requisite knowledge, which will help cushion the myriads of challenges faced by our farming sector, which has the potential to weaken our food security status, aggravate onsets of non-communicable diseases, and contribute to the destruction of the environment,” noted Chief Extension Officer, Eloi Alexis.
With improved facilitation, skillsets, acquired knowledge and access to the Farmer Field School (FFS) updated manuals, extension officers are now better equipped to empower farmers, who actively contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in Saint Lucia.
Photo: Government Of Saint Lucia
