Interns Gain Hands-On Experience at Barnard’s Agro Enterprise by Shenequa Williams
As part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Summer Internship Programme, interns visited Barnard’s Agro Enterprise – Faith and Hope Farm Today, July 8, where they gained valuable practical experience in papaya cultivation, agro-processing, and agricultural entrepreneurship.
The visit was hosted by experienced farmer, agro-processor and educator Nickey Barnard, who has been teaching agriculture for more than 30 years, with assistance from fellow farmer Tonya, who guided the interns through a series of hands-on activities and educational demonstrations designed to strengthen their understanding of modern farming practices.
The day’s activities began with the transplanting of semi-dwarf papaya seedlings, while another group of interns planted dwarf coconut trees. Ms. Barnard demonstrated the proper techniques for transplanting, emphasizing the importance of digging adequately deep planting holes, watering immediately after transplanting to reduce plant stress, and applying dry grass as mulch to conserve soil moisture. She explained that as the mulch decomposes, it also enriches the soil with nutrients, promoting healthier plant growth.
As the interns worked alongside the farmers, they learned about the growth and development of papaya plants and the differences between the various tree types. Ms. Barnard explained that hermaphrodite papaya trees typically produce longer-shaped fruits, while female papaya trees bear smaller, round fruits. She also introduced the interns to the popular Red Lady papaya variety before leading them into the field to harvest ripe fruits.
During the harvest, she highlighted the many uses and benefits of papaya. She explained that papaya contains the natural enzyme papain, which is widely used to tenderize meat, while the seeds have traditionally been used as a natural remedy for intestinal parasites. The interns also had the opportunity to sample freshly harvested Red Lady papaya as they learned about the fruit’s nutritional value and commercial potential.
The learning experience continued with the interns sampling her homemade Mango-Papaya Jam, Pineapple-Passion Fruit Jam, and Passion Fruit Jam, gaining firsthand insight into how locally grown produce can be transformed into marketable products. As an added treat, they also enjoyed homemade banana bread prepared by Ms. Barnard, along with fresh watermelon and refreshing coconuts harvested from the farm.
Beyond production, she shared her entrepreneurial journey, explaining how she has diversified her business by producing a range of value-added products, including coconut flakes, granola, green seasoning, and specialty jams. She encouraged the interns to think beyond primary production and explore opportunities in agro-processing to increase the value of agricultural products. She also emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction and word-of-mouth marketing in building a successful business.
To conclude the visit, Ms. Barnard tested the interns’ knowledge with a fun quiz based on the day’s lessons. She asked three questions, and those who answered correctly were rewarded with a ripe papaya, bringing an exciting end to an informative and interactive day.
The visit to Barnard’s Agro Enterprise – Faith and Hope Farm provided the interns with valuable practical knowledge in crop production, agro-processing, and agribusiness, while demonstrating the many opportunities available within Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural sector. Through experiences such as these, the Ministry’s Summer Internship Programme continues to equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and inspiration needed to become the next generation of agricultural leaders.
