– scores of secondary school and university students attend
The Ministry of Agriculture held its ‘Open Day’ on Friday. This event saw scores of secondary school, as well as University of Guyana (UG) students, flocking the compounds of Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and Guyana Livestock Development Association (GLDA).
The activity allowed students to tour the facilities and visit the booths of agencies that were on display. Among the areas featured were apiculture, agro-processing, crop and livestock farming.
Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture of Agriculture Valerie Adams-Yearwood presenting the benefits of Agriculture to the students gathered.
Stacia McDonald, who serves as Assistant Manager of the GSA’s agro-processing facility as well as a lecturer in Entrepreneurship said: “agriculture should be our culture, it is the grassroots of everything.”
Some of the students shared their thoughts on the day’s activity.
Malika Russell
UG student, Malika Russell said, “Open Day is a great initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture… it gives students the opportunity to visit these various organisations and choose a career path in agriculture if they are interested.”
Cronexy James, a student at the Guyana School of Agriculture, described the institution as the “the foundation of education [in agriculture]”. James commended the event noting it was a great move by the ministry.
Sherlock Langevine
Joshua Daniels and Sherlock Langevine, from Saint Joseph High School and Saint Stanislaus College respectively, felt the ‘Open Day’ was informative and motivating for students who may be considering a career in the agriculture sector. Most of the students described the event as an eye-opener as they were made aware of the wide cross-section of career options available.
In her welcoming address to the students, Minister with the Ministry of Agriculture, with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Hon. Valerie Adams-Yearwood said:
“This activity here today is a very good one for you to build relationships…meet other students and I say to you choose wisely… choose agriculture as your career.”
The ‘Open Day’ forms part of the ministry’s calendar of activities for Agriculture Month which is being observed under the theme “Sustainable Agriculture for ensuring Food Safety and a Green Economy”.
(DPI)
