It was easy ‘as Sunday morning’, ‘a smooth flow’ and’ very impressive’ were some of the words used by persons collecting seedlings to describe the ‘Farm Ah Ya Yard’ two-day National Seedling Distribution Exercise which got underway at various locations yesterday (Monday).
Making the rounds at the various locations, the encouraging feedback was shared not only by members of the public but by the organizers and those manning the distribution centers.
Members of The Farmers Forum group, theAntigua and Barbuda Red Cross and the Ministry of Agriculture including CARDI, collaborated on this well-orchestrated initiative in light of the covid-19 protocols which were strictly observed.
It was evident even before entering the distribution sites that things were well planned as all persons who were collecting seedlings were directed to the registration desk, then to another area to collect their seedlings which were already packaged and they were also given a brief talk on what the package entails of how to take care of the plants.
One lady recounts “It was very simple, it wasn’t a long process, I just came, I gave my name, they asked me for my ID and the guy came and gave me an explanation for the plants.”
At the Ottos Comprehensive School, VicePresident of the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Viveca Shadrack said that the process went very wellas they started promptly at 7.30am and by a little after 10, they were basically winding down.
Ms. Efuru Elihu and Mr. Milton Barnes represented the Ministry of Agriculture at the location and Elihu said that pumpkin, potato vine, cassava, okraand string beans were distributed.
“When we started, it was very crowded but we quickly worked together as a team and the crowd dispersed and the flow is much freer, they are maintaining their social distance and we are looking forward to tomorrow,”Elihu stated.
The Community Development Division was also among those who assisted in this distribution exercise and Elihu thanked all the volunteers who aided in maintaining a smooth flow of seedling distribution process.
Petranilla Joseph and her team were part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s team at Jennings Primary and she said a long line built up earlier in the morning hours but they were able to get people out quickly as a proper plan was in place
Mr. Ayo Simon and team held the fort at Clare Hall Secondary and he said that the response from the public was very good and he believes that the online pre-registration process had a lot to do with it.
“Earlier, they was a lot of people but as we started, as you see, we had already bagged out everything, so the transition was very fast, people didn’t event spend ten minutes here.”
Simon said that this activity is now showing people the importance of back yard gardening and the importance of to at least have some sort of food in your backyardand not just to be heavily dependent on the supermarkets
“Most people are now going to the supermarkets to buy tomatoes; to buy herbs and spices, these are things that can be omitted in a time of crisis like this, you can have all these in your backyard.”
Veteran Farmer Mr. Caudley George was at villa primary.
George who is also a member of the Farmers Forum has been in the business for over three decades. He saidthat the process at his location went well and he is looking forward to tomorrow.
“As much as you can get these out to people to plant them, it will greatly assist in the areas of food nutrition security for Antigua and Barbuda. It also helps other to make use of the time that they are not able to do something at this present moment and it helps to build family relationships,” George added.
Mrs. Tricia Audain who farms with her husband, said that she has served with pleasure at multiple locations and she also pointed out that at one of the locations, anelderly lady shared with them how impressed she was with the service she received and the orderly manner in which the distribution was conducted.
Chairman of the National Farmers Forum Marvin Joseph said that he was quite pleased with how today’s activity came off.
“Today’s distribution was smooth, we had a great turn-out and we look forward to tomorrow and beyond,’ Mr. Joseph stated.
The seedling distribution programme continues tomorrow from 7.30am – 11.30am for persons whose surnames begin with J – Z at Villa Primary, Clare Hall Secondary, Jennings Primary, Pares Secondary, IreneB. Williams, Ottos Comprehensive and Barbuda.
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Wonderful news. Happy to hear that it was well organized and effectively executed.
F works if them seeds are GMO and not organic! Looka people go dead!
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