Twenty Students with Hearing Impairments Certified in Greenhouse Production

Twenty students with hearing impairments, who participated in the just concluded Climate Smart Agriculture Greenhouse Production training programme at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD), are now equipped with the requisite certified skills to undertake agricultural engagements within their communities.

The intensive 10-week programme, which was held at the CCCD in Knockpatrick, Manchester, was organised by the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Red Cross.

The students were presented with their certificates during a graduation ceremony at the CCCD on Friday (February 2).

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, who was the keynote speaker, told the graduates that their newly acquired skills would be key in addressing challenges relating to food security.

He further said the training they received would have a ripple effect in their communities and the country, because farming is demonstrative of community well-being.

The State Minister, who hailed the graduates as pioneers in agriculture based on their participation in the training programme, said that when they become agents of change in their communities, this would help to foster economic growth through fresh locally grown produce.

“This also signifies inclusivity in agriculture through the training received, as we seek to break barriers and inspire others facing physical challenges to join the agricultural realm. The skills you have acquired in greenhouse production are not just tools for agriculture, but also tools for life,” Mr. Witter said, while encouraging them to use their knowledge to empower and inspire others.

Meanwhile, the State Minister underscored the need for adjustments in the approaches to farming locally, in light of the challenges presented by climate change and concerns resonating regarding environmental sustainability.

“The use of greenhouses plays a pivotal role in mitigating some of these challenges with the unpredictable and harsh weather patterns; they provide a controlled environment for year-round cultivation,” he said.

In his remarks, RADA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Winston Simpson, told the audience that the course administered represents the organisation’s pioneering steps in providing essential training in greenhouse production to individuals with hearing impairments.

“We are proud to partner with you; I am pleased to see men dominating the numbers and it’s a big plus for us. Over the 10 weeks, we witnessed the convergence of dedication, resilience and innovation in a unique blend that defined this historic training initiative,” he said.

The CEO noted that the focus on greenhouse production has not only broken new ground in agriculture training, but also opened doors of inclusivity and accessibility to persons with other physical challenges.

He said this pioneering initiative showed RADA’s commitment to expanding the horizons in education and training, thereby ensuring that no community or individual is left behind.

Meanwhile, CCCD Executive Director, Leon Samms, said he was pleased to see persons with disabilities being trained as experts in greenhouse production.

He said the collaboration between the Government, through RADA, and the Jamaica Red Cross in an intentional effort to empower and uplift individuals with hearing impairments, gave him reason to be optimistic about Jamaica’s future.

“Initiatives, like this, make it possible for the CCCD to achieve its mission of reaching, teaching and nurturing the deaf. Today we are celebrating the completion of the project, the cultivation of skills, the nurturing of dreams and the blossoming of new opportunities for our participants,” Mr. Samms added.

The 10-week course covered several topics, including: ‘Introduction to Greenhouse Production’, ‘Crop Management and Nutrition’, ‘Integrated Pest Management’, ‘Safe Use of Pesticides’, and ‘Marketing and Farm Business Management’.

The CCCD occupies 50 acres of arable land, much of which is used for cattle, pig and poultry rearing, and cultivations which are exported.

The lone greenhouse is used for sweet peppers, but the Centre also grow cabbage, lettuce, Pak Choy and pumpkin.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the drought experienced last year put a huge dent in their operations.

However, the Centre now has an additional 1,000-gallon tank water supply and their irrigation system is solar powered.

The institution has 60 residential students and about nine who travel daily.