October 17, 2009… What began with the Director General of FAO speech, and media interviews culminated the World Food Day celebration with a number of recipients walking away with awards, for their outstanding contributions to the agriculture sector.

The theme selected for 2009 World Food Day celebrated on October 16, was “achieving food security in times of crisis”.

Approximately 80 persons within the sector were recognized for their contributions over the years.

The recipients were awarded from the various categories: Ministers Award, Permanent secretary Award, Directors Award, Media/ Journalism Award, Schools and Special Awards.

Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment Hilson Baptiste presented three medals: two bronze and silver, from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Medals to Hezekiah Thomas, Albert Shepherd and Gerald Price respectively for their outstanding support to Agriculture.

The Minister’s awards went to outstanding farmers, Permanent secretary Clarence Pilgrim presented to heads of department, directors award went to technical officers, media/ and journalism for outstanding support in the promotion of agriculture, and Minister of State Chanlah Codrington gave special awards went to individuals in research and development, and school awards went to agriculture teachers and schools that are on board with the agriculture science programme.

The winners for the 2009, essay competition that was judged at two levels primary & secondary on the theme were also announced. They are Khiana Mannix, 10-year –old of Minoah Magnet Academy of Math, Science and Technology and Jacintha Martin, 17 year –old of Pares Secondary.

Mannix and Martin were each presented with school supplies courtesy the Ministry of Agriculture, and additional gifts courtesy Bishop Ewing Dorsett of School Zone, they also received certificate of participations.

These essays are already submitted to the Daily OBSERVER and Antigua Sun for publications. Additionally, they will be forwarded to FAO, for publication in their global magazine.

The winners will also be given an opportunity to appear on good morning Antigua & Barbuda with technical officers to share the rationale begin their essays.

Pre-K 2 Students of Minoah Magnet Academy of Math, Science & Technology received school supplies for being the youngest participants in the world Food Day program. Their teachers Rossanah Rose and Keeflin Jno-Baptiste collected a certificate on behalf of the school for the youngest participants.

On Friday, locally grown produce decorated the classroom of the pre K2 students; with eat wearing hats of fruits. Local food display was also placed in the centre of the classroom, as the children remind those who come in contact “we eat what we grow.”

The students also made a presentation to the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre For the disability. On hand to receive the contributions were: Students, Shanika James and Alex Looby. The director Emelda Wade was also present.

Meanwhile the grades five student at the Minaoh Magnet School were not exempted under the supervision of their teacher and re-known nutritionist Gwendolyn Gregg, a locally prepared dish were cooked and displayed at the entrance of the school. Uncooked locally grown produce were also display.

The cooked food was later donated to the Amazing Grace Foundation.

The students also drew posters depicting the theme we grow, what we eat: The benefits of eating locally grown produce were also under scored.

A certificate for the most Involved School went to the Minoah Magnet Academy of Math, Science & technology.

Over at the All Saints Secondary School close to 200 students engaged in root crops planting.

Jennings Secondary and Ottos Comprehensive Students planted vegetables, and other crops.

Pares secondary made their contribution in donation to the Cottage of Hope Girls Home.

Over, at the Ministry of Agriculture Head Quarters, were the awards ceremony was being held, a large food court was set –up, buffet style for lunch.

As part of a public relations strategy, Communications Co-ordinator, Onika Campbell the Agricultural Science Club during the brief ceremony. This Science club is an effort, by the Ministry to infiltrate the education institutions.

This agriculture Science club will enable students to develop technical, research and critical thinking skills develop their essay writing and analytical skills; this will also better enable them to understand and interpret statistics, the conversion and calculation of the metric system and also assist them in having a better appreciation for agriculture and the role the sector play in their survival.

This agriculture science club aims to change the attitude towards agriculture - as a peripheral activity - translates into the policies and practices of the adult world.