Participants observing the set up of a protective structure in Adams Valley, Manchester in Jamaica ©FAO

 Through the Improving Rural Livelihoods through Resilient Agrifood Systems Project, 22 Kitson Town farmers along with key stakeholders benefitted from an field training on Protective Agriculture Structures at Adams Valley, Manchester on June 18, 2024.

The training cohort also included two lecturers from the College of Agriculture, Science and Education and two officers from Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC). The inclusion of the educators and technical personnel underscores the project's commitment to enhancing knowledge and skills among various stakeholders involved in sustainable agriculture. The field session focused on various aspects of protective agriculture, including different types of protective structures, site selection, design and construction, production systems, and hurricane preparedness in protective agriculture farming.

This training is part of the project’s thrust to introduce beneficiaries to innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture. Since the project's launch in October 2023, the Kitson Town community has been engaged in a series of activities, including focus groups, sensitization sessions, site assessments, and capacity building sessions.

Training of Trainers ensuring continuity of sustainable practices

To complement the beneficary training a week later, eight officers from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and AIC took part in the Protective Agriculture Structure Training of Trainers.  The session explored crop production systems, types of growing media, and the design and construction of protective structures. Beyond the project, the trainers will train more officers and continue improving rural livelihoods for more resilient and sustainable communities.

The Improving Rural Livelihoods Project is dedicated to promoting livelihoods, crop production, and in-demand skills to support business and entrepreneurial development. This rural development initiative employs a multi-stakeholder approach to empower residents and enhance income generation opportunities for community members.

Following the training, the project will provide select beneficiaries with protective agriculture structures to faciliate more efficient and resilient crop production, boosting their livelihood activities.