ARDYIS Workshop Participants visit Ministry of Agriculture Tissue Culture Lab

 Day 4 was the most fun applying the practical knowledge we had learnt across the social networking platforms linking facebook,twitter,klout and linkedin. It was great fun experimenting with layouts and design features . After lunch everyone walked to the waiting coach that whisked us away through winding roads and small villages offset on each side by sprawling farmlands and sugarcane fields.

 It was a peaceful and scenic drive in air conditioned comfort from the hot sun. Everyone was excited because they were really looking forward to this field trip.Upon arrival we were greeted by Mr Greene who took us into the orchid farm which had two greenhouses filled with different species of orchids including Cattalayas. It was gorgeously lush and incredibly humid.

We then learnt about the governments training programs to train and give incentives to start up farmers and how this initiative could impact the lives of young people to start up agri business and gain economic stability.Our next stop was the Ministry of Agriculture Tissue Culture Lab where we were greeted by a representative of the Ministry who welcomed us all inside where we had great fun becoming lab techs for the rest of the time there we donned white lab coats ,hair nets and booties because we had previously been out in the field .

At the lab we learnt how orchids and other species of plant material is grown in jars and test tubes to be weened off later and then gradually introduced into the field at a later stage. The experience was insightful and all the participants noted how much we needed these kind of facilities in our own countries even though we were all expecting a huge farm with a variety of animals.  The rest of the day was spent shopping and sightseeing in Bridgetown and when we all got back to cavehill we were happy to retire to bed for some much needed rest.