The Ministry of Agriculture and the Mushroom Collective recently hosted a mushroom workshop, which in part targeted vulnerable young males.
The Taiwan ICDF initiative funded the initiative.
With mushrooms in demand for their nutritional value, young, vulnerable males and students keen on earning a livelihood through agro-entrepreneurship completed a comprehensive program on the rudiments of mushroom production.
Under the Increasing Employment Opportunities Program coordinated through the Agro-Business Mushroom Production project, the training session involved tutorship for
Boys Training Centre wards, students from the Centre for Adolescent Renewal and Education (CARE) and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC).
The workshop covered theoretical and practical aspects, including mushroom biology, culture and spawn production, food preparation, harvesting, processing, food safety and
optimal growing conditions.
Head of the Department for Agro-Entrepreneurship and Climate Smart Agriculture at the SALCC, Dr. Catherine Mc. Caan noted that the hands-on experience in the field allowed the students to apply the knowledge.
“What we see here is an opportunity for the students to obtain some training in the production of a commodity, which we know there is a demand for in Saint Lucia,” said Dr. Mc Caan.
The SALCC tutor said students could use the farm at the SALCC compound to develop their skills and knowledge to become entrepreneurs later.
Deputy Director of Agricultural Services, Kemal Jn. Baptiste said the overall objective of the workshop was to empower the young men with skills necessary to replicate their learning,
paving the way for them to embark on entrepreneurial ventures in the future.
According to ministry officials, with a clear vision and dedication, the increasing Employment Opportunities for Vulnerable Young Males in Saint Lucia, through the Agro-
Business Mushroom Production initiative aims to train Fifty vulnerable young males by this March.
good job hope this help in reducing crime and poverty
It is amazing. As a Child we used to stump on mushrooms, because they were called jumble umbrellas, by the older people at that time. It was many years later when I realize that mushrooms can be eaten, and are delicious.
Excellent initiative. I would also expect that the training included identifying poisonous mushrooms too cause not all mushrooms are edible. In fact certain species of mushrooms are extremely deadly. But cultivation of mushrooms that are edible will go a long way to diversifying our diet which really needs improving.
And the training initiative should also include men in their 30s and 40s many of whom missed out on these current opportunities and are disadvantaged. Some would like to get a step up. Many of them have dependants too. While many of the Governments initiatives are good – they are selective. A holistic approach would be more beneficial to the whole community.