FML and WUSC Caribbean Equipment Training

Farfan and Mendes, in collaboration with the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute and the World University Service of Canada (WUSC Caribbean) through the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project funded by Global Affairs Canada trained approximately Eighty-Seven (87) on small equipment use, care, management and servicing in region # 3 (Parika, Wakenaam and Canal #1). The primary goal of these sessions was to equip farmers, especially women and youths with the knowledge and skills to promote innovative use, care, and management to enhance productivity in the Agriculture Sector.

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The training was facilitated by technical personnel attached to Farfan and Mendes (Rory Holder, Oneil Sam and Ravindra Lall). This initiative aligns with FML's goals of building capacity and providing client-driven solutions for sustainable growth, as well as WUSC's objective to enhance equitable access for producers, including women and youth (f/m), to goods, services, and knowledge in inclusive, sustainable and climate resilient agricultural market systems.

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At the start of the session, farmers were able to state problems they currently encountered, this was then followed by a general troubleshooting session. During this session, participants were able to practically identify serviceable parts which would deteriorate upon continuous usage of the equipment. These sessions provided farmers with the tools and expertise necessary to better care and use STIHL equipment which would extend the lifetime of the equipment.

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Farmers were also able to use the STIHL BT 131 auger, which is an equipment that can be utilized to prepare holes to poll plantain and/or banana suckers, post for fence and harbour making, participants indicated that this piece of equipment can be utilized to help conquer labour shortages.

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