Agricultural techs get training in Mexico

Agriculture technicians from the twin island state will once again be afforded the opportunity to further expand their knowledge in the field through specialised training provided by the government of Mexico.

Kishma Primus Almond of the Plant Protection Unit and Mario Beazer, of Barbuda, will leave the island next week to participate in a programme to provide training for Caribbean professionals.

It aims to promote a new kind of agriculture in the region that will make the sector more competitive and increase its contribution to food security.

The initiative is part of a technical cooperation agreement between Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA).

National Specialist IICA, Craig Thomas said the duo will spend the next two weeks focussing on areas such as animal and plant health control in ports and at airports and border posts, family and backyard farming, amongst others.

“We are hoping that this programme will increase the capacity of technicians within the ministry so that we can further improve the sector,” Thomas said.

The programme will commence on April 12 and span a period of five to six months.

Throughout its duration, technicians from the ministry will be chosen to participate in various phases.

Thomas said the selection will be based on individual expertise.

“Other individuals will get an opportunity to go. The selection will be done in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and we are also seeking to ensure that people from the sister island Barbuda are a part of the programme,” Thomas said.

Antigua & Barbuda is among 15 Caribbean countries to benefits from the initiative.

The plan is to train 200 technical officers, in Mexico and other countries, with a view to improving the agriculture of the 21 nations taking part.

The courses are tailored to the needs of each participating country.