VETERINARY DIVISION VISITS SCHOOL TO COMMEMORATE WORLD FOOD DAY
On Friday 21st October, the Veterinary Division within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs (MAFBA) paid visits to four (4) secondary schools. Under the 2022 World Food Day theme “Leaving no one Behind – Better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life” the Veterinarians and Technicians went to the Ottos Comprehensive (OCS), the Seventh Day Adventist (SDAS), Antigua Grammar (AGS) and the Sir Novelle Richards Secondary (SNRSS) Schools.
The Veterinary staff divided themselves into three teams in order to cover more grounds in the allotted timeframe they had. Dr. Tubal Edwards (Chief Veterinary Officer) and Mr. Omar Nedd (Technician) visited the OCS, Dr. Kellman (Veterinarian) and Ms Dihann Gomes (Technician) visited the SDAS, Dr.Nneka Hull-James (Veterinarian) and Miss Beverly Thomas (Technician) visited AGS and SNRSS. Unfortunately, Dr. Diandra Payne did not join her colleagues as planned due to a field emergency in the southern part of the island. However, her absenteeism from the schools’ visits was to the benefit of the farmer and his animal.
The aims of the these visits were to:-
1. Demonstrate to the students about the importance of Agriculture and the relevance livestock and other farm animals such as chickens in regards to “Food Security” and World Food Day.
2. Discuss the many types of careers that are there in the sector beside being a herder or plant grower.
3. Tour and inspect their facilities and give recommendations and advice where necessary.
To show their appreciation of the visit, the SDA students and their teachers Mrs. Patrick and Mr. McIntosh generously gave dozens of eggs to the visiting Veterinary team. The interactions and attentiveness at all the schools surpassed the Vets’ expectations and with such enthusiasm this definitely was a clear indication that there will be similar continuous exercises in the Future.
The school visits were a prelude to the climax of the MAFBA celebrations for the 2022 World Food Day.
OTTOS COMPRHENSIVE SCHOOL
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL
ANTIGUA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
SIR NOVELLE RICHARDS SCHOOL