AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICERS ON THE MOVE……. Part 2
On Thursday 25th Extension Officers – Anika Aska and Oneicia Anthony at the request from farmers collected several bags of donkey manure from the Antigua & Barbuda Donkey Sanctuary. This natural fertilizer will be used to enhance the humus and soil structure which it is anticipated will promote a better crop production.
Later that day, the two officers paid a visit to the St. John’s Catholic Primary to demonstrate to the students the benefits of locally grown fruits and vegetables, the different types of seeds and basic information pertaining to agriculture. “We taught them about the importance of plants for food, shelter, clothes, art and craft, for humans to get oxygen to breathe, for decorating etc. We also taught them about seeds and showed them examples of different types we discussed how the parts of a flower and where to find the seeds being produced to make the fruit. We also touched on different types of vines and we looked at the samples the students brought from home. Herbs and spices were also spoken about in terms of how they grow different from vegetable plants and some of their medicinal values,” Miss Aska said.
In parting the officers distributed okra seeds to the students with the agreement that they will sow the seeds and share the harvest with them. As a follow-up, the students will be going on field trip to the next Farmer’s Market in February. These markets are held monthly in Jennings.