Historically, Tete Morne is an agricultural community of over 1000 people. The area has many challenges and is currently affected by unemployment (as high as 60% among young males) and a lack of interest in agriculture amongst young people who do not see it as a viable or lucrative career. Moreover, bad farming practices involving the use of harmful synthetic pesticides and fertilizers have damaged the soil.
The main goal of the project is to create an organic nursery with a composting system at the Tete Morne Primary School, which will launch the school into production and will result in the students, teachers and community practicing and applying modern organic agriculture techniques, so that they can maintain a successful and sustainable business.
The objectives of this project are:
- To promote organic agriculture and plant propagation through community training in the school, Tete Morne and Environs
- To provide employment for unemployed youth.
- To maintain a successful and sustainable venture demonstrating the value of agricultural diversification.
The activities for this project will include the following:
Activity 1-The setup of the Organic Farm in the Tete Morne Primary School
An organic nursery will be established. A greenhouse will be erected, and a propagation area will be developed inside the greenhouse. Anti-bird netting will be installed. Composting bins will be prepared. A Parent Garden will also be set-up.
The outcome of this would be an organised Organic Nursery, for production of organic produce to be used as a demonstration plot for training.
Activity 2- Devise a training programme in collaboration with the Youth Division, Agricultural Division and Forestry Division
Community members, particularly youth, students, teachers, women and unemployed ex-banana farmers, will be trained in good organic farming practices as well as business management and good governance thus producing well-trained organic farmers.
The Group intends to provide training, demonstrating the value and sustainability of organic agricultural diversification hence fighting unemployment, migration and loss of community pride. The Tete Morne Primary School, the students and teachers will be able to use the produce to complement the school feeding programme as well as generate income to be used for maintenance of the garden and the purchase of seeds. Training in good farming practices will be instilled in the students, as well as the community members. The composting system will demonstrate that productivity without chemicals is possible and that alternative methods can work efficiently.