media release...media release tuesday, 12 september 2017 for immediate release priority: high...
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MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 12 September 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Priority: HIGH
Empowering through Sustainable Agricultural Solutions
A total of eleven (11) residents and three (3) therapeutic councillors of the Piparo Empowerment
Centre and New Horizon Facility of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services
recently took part in a one-day training course spearheaded by the PCS Model Farm and
Agricultural Resource Centre, Couva. Led by Mrs Jesse Joseph, Piparo Empowerment Centre
(PEC), Coordinator, the delegation converged at the Model Farm on Friday 25, August 2017 to
learn about “Growing Vegetables in Containers” by facilitator Mr Karl Burgess.
The training session promoted vegetable container gardening as ideal for persons with disabilities
or for persons with limited available time and space for large-scale crop propagation. Some of the
benefits associated with ‘growing in containers’ include, the recycling of plastic bottles and
containers, a continuous supply of vegetables and or herbs, the reduction in one’s market bill and
the efficient use of available space. Modules consisted of choosing the right container per
vegetable, location, design, layout and soil profile.
The agricultural training courses which are free and open to the public is geared towards
inculcating and developing agricultural sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. The training
formed part of both the Piparo Empowerment Centre’s and the New Horizon Facility’s scope to
engender self-sufficiency and skills training among the residents on their journey to full recovery
and reintegration into society.
Commenting on the training session, Mrs Joseph indicated that the workshops provided valuable
insight and training which would be put to use at the respective facilities. Mrs Joseph added that
she expected to be in further talks with the PCS Model Farm and Agricultural Resource Centre as
the PEC would be seeking support towards developing its agricultural capacity and training for its
residents in the coming months.
Sustainable farming: Residents of the Ministry’s Piparo Empowerment Centre and New Horizon
viewing cucumbers growing from containers while on tour at PCS’ Model Farm during the
training session with Mr Karl Burgess.
Taking a look: Piparo Empowerment Centre Coordinator, Jesse Joseph is allowed to take a closer
look at the cultivation by Mr Karl Burgess while on tour of the Model Farm.
Green thumbs up: (l-r) Therapeutic Councillors Suzette Ramsamooj, Centre Coordinator of the
PEC Jesse Joseph and Hazel Julien of New Horizon join Mr Karl Burgess for quick photo while
on tour at PCS’ Model Farm.
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For more information:
Communications Unit
Ministry of Social Development and Family Services
(868) 623-2608; Ext 5405/5432