COL Appreciation & Graduation Ceremony
The commonwealth of learning L3F livelihood development program Antigua and Barbuda hosted its farmers appreciation and graduation ceremony at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Presidential suite on Tuesday 5th March,2024.A total of close to 200 farmers are to receive certificates for participation in livelihood development that included good Agricultural practices, Integrated Pest Management Field demonstrations, ICT in business, Food and Nutrition, traceability, disaster management, business planning, record keeping and crop management to name a few. There were also collaborations with stakeholders like CARDI ,ABDB,ACB, RADA Jamaica ,Insurance companies, credit unions and more.
COL Project Assistant Petranilla Estreada stated that she was grateful for the farmer turnout and appreciated their support for the past seven years. Farmers have gravitated to seeing farming as a business and have seen the benefits of record keeping and forming groups. There are still challenges but with persistence all can be overcome. In attendance were His Excellency Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams, ASP Mercury, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade and Barbuda Affairs the Honorable E.P. Chet Greene ,PS of Agriculture Ms. Sandra Joseph, Director of Agriculture Mr. Gregory Bailey, and PAS Nicholas and Thomas, CARDI country representative Mr. Junior Greene. Ms. Maudvere Bradford stood as Mistress of ceremonies.