Students from Class 3 and Class 4 of Ignatius Byer Primary School, along with teacher Anderson Rollock, were not only present for the handover, but some assisted with the installation of the ARC irrigation system.
ARC Irrigation Inc. representatives work on the water piping for the system.
Students at the Ignatius Byer Primary School are poised to gain additional hands-on agricultural experience and they have ARC Irrigation Inc. to thank for it.
In response to a request for assistance with equipment to enhance the school’s present Agricultural Science programme, the company made a donation on Thursday, December 3, 2020. The donation was to supplement the on-site garden, which required a more efficient irrigation solution.
Although not present for the handing over, Managing Director of ARC, Rodney Reader, co-ordinated and facilitated the installation of the donated equipment. This included a filtration system, along with a drip irrigation line, inclusive of shutoff valves which allow for the regulation of irrigation to individual beds. ARC has been a specialist in irrigation systems in Barbados and across the Eastern Caribbean for over 25 years.
Deputy Head Boy, Duane-Diego Watson, thanked the company for its generosity on behalf of the northern school. Pupils from Classes 3 and 4 witnessed the handover and some students were also given the opportunity to assist with the installation of the irrigation system. Class 4 teacher, Anderson Rollock, stated that the equipment would be used to enhance the school’s science programme. In addition to providing practical opportunities for students, the experiences gained would also open doors of entrepreneurial possibilities for the students.
It is the intention of the school to commence a marketing and sales initiative as an extension of the present agricultural science programme. This will first include the sale of produce to persons in the community and then an expansion to nearby shops and supermarkets. It is hoped that the school could develop its own brand as part of the entire project.
In light of the concerns surrounding food production and security which COVID-19 has brought to the fore, Ignatius Byer Primary will be actively playing its part in educating, equipping and mobilising its students through this agricultural and marketing initiative.
