Poultry Project Established at Donnington Primary

A poultry project has been established at the Donnington Primary School, in St. Mary. It was officially handed over to the school on April 23.
The project, which began operations in November 2009, was funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, with support from the school and the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.
During the function, a broiler unit valued at approximately US$10,000 and procured with funds provided by the FAO, was also handed over to the school.

Chickens being reared under the Donnington Primary School Poultry Project, in St. Mary, which was officially handed over on April 23.

The project is currently being operated by a group of seven students who are members of the Donnington Primary School 4-H Club.
Among the objectives of the project are the encouragement of greater appreciation for locally produced food and the extension of the school’s income earning capabilities.
Giving the main address at the ceremony, Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Mr. Lenworth Fulton, said the organisation was pleased to be associated with the project, because of the positive impact it will make on the lives of the students and the overall development of the school.
Mr. Fulton said he was particularly pleased that the project has been implemented in a primary school, as that development represented a break in the tradition of undertaking such ventures in secondary schools.
This strategy, he said, will expose the students of the Donnington Primary School to appreciate the discipline required to operate such a project from a young age, thereby preparing them to become responsible citizens early in their lives.

Students in charge of the Donnington Primary School’s Poultry Project in St. Mary, are accompanied by
Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lenworth Fulton (right); Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Assistant Country representative to Jamaica and Belize, Dr. Gillian Smith (3rd right) and Principal of the school, Seymour Bailey (left), to the poultry project, which was officially handed over on April 23.

He explained that the project is also being operated out of recognition of the need to reduce the amount of money being spent on the importation of food, and to enable the students of the school to develop entrepreneurial skills, which will make them independent citizens.
Mr. Fulton said the 4-H Movement was fully committed to molding the lives of young Jamaicans to enable them to play their role in the national development process.
Also addressing the function was the FAO’s Assistant Country Representative to Jamaica and Belize, Dr. Gillian Smith. She said the FAO was delighted to be associated with the project and urged the school and the wider community to protect it and support it to the fullest extent.