National School Garden Programme

The National School Garden Programme exists to ensure timely implementation, engagement of modern agricultural techniques and equipment while encouraging practical hands-on experience leading into the formal education system.

Goal of the Programme

To equip all public educational institutions with technologically-driven school gardens, aimed at providing youth with the necessary skills and knowledge that will foster the development of agriculture as an alternative career choice; while promoting entrepreneurship with the field.

Programme Objectives

  • To encourage practical agricultural training in schools
  • To introduce modern agricultural technologies
  • To improve self-efficacy (entrepreneurship) among the nation’s youth
  • To improve youth contribution to food security
  • To provide healthy fresh food for school canteens
  • To stimulate young people towards agriculture as a viable career
  • To encourage young people to eat Jamaican and develop the taste and preference for local dishes.

How is the Programme managed?

The Jamaica 4-H clubs executes the programme through a structure, which involves policy oversight by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ Board of Directors and a management network headed by its Regional and Parish Managers.

How does the Programme work?

Parish Managers visit schools to assess their agricultural programmes and either gardens already in place or the location where gardens are to be established. Upon satisfactory assessment, schools are assisted with the necessary inputs and/or technical support to establish or resuscitate their gardens.

 

The Parish Managers, with support from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and community volunteers, including members of the Parent Teachers’ Associations and 4-H Leaders, work closely with the schools to ensure proper implementation. Each garden must be registered and appropriate signage erected.

 

The gardens are monitored by the Parish Managers and must form part of the Schools’ Board and P.T.A agenda items for update and support. The Jamaica 4-H Clubs will offer assistance and support in the marketing of garden outputs.

 

Reporting Procedures

Institutions are expected to provide monthly reports on all agricultural activities. This is necessary for the monitoring of progress, and to supply information to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries (MICAF) on youth involvement in agriculture relevant to contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).