From left: BECT Executive Director Ché Greenidge, IICA President, Chief Agricultural Officer Keely Holder, Barbados IICA President Allister Glean.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust, in partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Cooperation (IICA) and Scotiabank Barbados, recently launched FarmABLE Livelihoods for People with Disabilities, aimed at ensuring that people with disabilities can contribute. Launched Persons with Disabilities Project. to their overall food security.
Funded by Scotiabank Barbados and the Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust (BECT), the project was initiated at the Challenger Creative Arts and Training Center and will be open to the Ann Hill School and Derrick Smith School & Vocational Center as well as students at the school to learn aquaponics. and learn about rabbit breeding.
BECT Executive Director Choi Greenwich said the project aims to empower members of the disabled community who need more opportunities to support their socioeconomic development.
“BECT is very proud to be a co-founder as well as a supporter of this project. Our organization provides opportunities for people with disabilities through projects like FarmABLE. I am passionate about this because I know how important it is for the members of this community to develop their knowledge and confidence. [and – Ed.] It provides a sense of empowerment and independence that carries over to other areas of the participants’ respective lives and to a brighter future,” she said.
Dr. Roxanne Waithe, technical specialist for the IICA delegation in Barbados, emphasized the value and timeliness of the exercise.
“People with disabilities are important members of our society and it is important that they are fully integrated into independent activities. This project ensures that participants are well equipped and transformed,” she said. said.
Allister Glean, the representative of IICA in Barbados, said the program aims to align with the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security (MAFANS). He hoped it would generate entrepreneurship and contribute to the nation’s food security.
Chief Agriculture Officer Keely Holder said MAFANS is pleased to work with IICA, BECT and Scotiabank Barbados to improve food security.
“This is a very exciting project. IICA is working closely with the ministry to explore ways to improve food security for communities and households in Barbados. Not only does it promote food security at the producing country level, but there is also an opportunity for agriculture to blossom and flourish within the home at the community level,” she said.
Lana Fingal, senior manager and team leader of the Scotiabank Offshore Banking Unit in Barbados, said her company provided key financial support for the project, and Scotiabank Barbados recognizes the challenges faced by members of the disabled community. said they aim to do their part. .
“Young people with disabilities face the same problems and concerns as young people without disabilities, but social stigma, barriers and ignorance can complicate and reinforce these concerns. and its partners to provide opportunities for young people with disabilities to learn and develop their skills in environmental conservation and food sustainability through projects focused on aquaponics, rabbit and poultry farming. I’m happy, it’s a sustainable agricultural system for crop production,” she said. 〜Today’s Barbados〜
