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<\/a><\/p>\nAyo Xavier Simon, an extension staff with the Ministry of Agriculture, recently attended and presented at an Agricultural and Rural Development course held in Japan from 23rd<\/sup> May to 9th<\/sup> June and was sponsored by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This training was specifically for young agricultural leaders from the Caribbean countries.<\/p>\n The course had two main components which were classroom and field visits to farms. Each country representative had to deliver an Inception Report Presentation bearing relevant data pertaining to the agriculture sector for their respective island. Other Caribbean islands in attendance were Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines .<\/p>\n According to Simon the major highlight for him was the visit to the farms, especially the Bell Veggy Strawberry farm.\u00a0 \u201cAt this farm two types of strawberries are grown, one for smoothies and the other to be eaten as a fruit.\u00a0 I found that they took a lot of pride with their produce and followed all the \u201cGAP\u201d (Good Agricultural Practices)\u201d, <\/em><\/strong>Simon reported.<\/p>\n In addition to their presentation Barbados, Guyana and St. Kitts also presented project concepts which were accepted and funded.\u00a0 It is anticipated that next time around Antigua and Barbuda can do likewise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n