COL L3F ICT Training
On the 21st and 28th of November, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Extension Division launched an ICT training course for all farmers. After the break for the Christmas Season; It is expected that training will be continued in January 2024.
The Commonwealth of Learning is an intergovernmental agency formed by the Commonwealth heads in 1987 and Its purpose is to create and widen access to opportunities for learning. However, The COL L3F lifelong programme was launched in June 2017 and it offered the potential of long-distance learning through the application of communication technologies to education.
The Programme offers five components of computer knowledge and record keeping using Word, Excel email, Google search, data collection and storage to assist farmers in recordkeeping and developing their livelihoods. This first training had approximately thirty (30) crop and livestock farmers in attendance and was facilitated by Mr. Everton Joseph and Mr. Valmont Harmon.
In Antigua and Barbuda, the COL project is led by Mr. Owolabi Elabanjo (Chief Extension Officer) and project assistant Petranilla Estreada-Joseph (Agricultural Assistant III). “I appreciate the farmers’ efforts to participate and develop their livelihoods and I urge them to keep moving forward. I am grateful to the Commonwealth of Learning for providing continued funding for the L3F lifelong project and for the facilitators who have disseminated their ICT skills and knowledge to the farmers. We look forward to 2024 and to the graduation of previous participants”, Estreada-Joseph said.