I am a project officer in training at the Richmond Vale Academy in St. Vincent. I am in the
process of establishing 10 Smart Farming Ecological Gardens together with the community in
Rose Hall, one of the highest elevation villages on St. Vincent.
Why?
For me, it is about personal development. This is an opportunity I got when I started as a
student in the Climate Compliance Conference program at RVA in 2023.
The other reason is to build self-reliance in the communities, to minimize the use of chemical
fertilizers and thereby also decrease the impact of Global Warming and Climate Change
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is naturally a farming country but historically has been trapped
in the mindset that it is easier and more profitable to use chemicals. In reality, who takes care of
nature? Chemicals destroy the life in the soil and also the diversity in the area. Don’t eat or drink
poison just because you are hungry and thirsty!!
I have engaged 10 persons in Rose Hall to be part of this Smart Farming Project. They now see
that the way of ecological farming creates healthy soil and healthy food. Other elements are
saving seeds for next season so we are using our own local seeds and not the GMO seeds that
require chemicals. We create the beds, and we plant a variety of plants that support each
other.
The 10 people consist of 4 traditional Vincy farmers, the rest are interested in the gardening
farming as a hobby. When we started I gave several seminars to the group so they all
understand the difference between conventional farming and ecological farming. Creating an
ecological garden demands more labor and soil building material but it is far easier to maintain
it. As of now we have finalized the 10 gardens. We do follow ups and maintenance. 9 out of the
10 gardens meet the requirements, so only one needs more support. Such challenge is natural.
Who is supporting this project?
The donors are CLEAR Caribbean and SVG Conservation Fund and Deutche Bank, and
Richmond Vale Academy is implementing the project.
When I was a student in the Climate Compliance Conference, I decided to be part of this
project. I am grateful to have this opportunity to wave this banner as it can change lives and
improve ecosystems. In the future I want to continue to spread the message and create change
in our country and around the world.
If we don’t – no one will.
Dexter Williams, St Vincent and the Grenadines