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Pastor Everett Brown, President of Central
Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, giving greetings and
welcoming persons from West Indies Union Conference, Ministry of
Agriculture, RADA representatives and members of the congregation to
the launch of the Backyard Gardening Investment Program held at the
Spanish Town Church.
The Sabbath School
Department of West Indies Union Conference, lead by Pastor Desmond
Robinson, launched the Backyard Garden Investment Program in Central
Jamaica Conference on Saturday August 15, 2009 at the Spanish Town
Adventist Church. This is an amalgamation of the traditional
investment programme of the Adventist Church with the Government of
Jamaica Backyard programme led by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Pastor Desmond Robinson, Sabbath School,
Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director for West Indies Union
Conference, launching the Backyard Garden Investment Program in
Central Jamaica Conference.
Pastor Desmond Robinson,
Sabbath School, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director for
West Indies Union Conference, stated that this is the perfect
opportunity for the church to work in nation building. He stated
that, “imagine what we could accomplish if all our members get
involved with this programme, not only will we increase the funds
that comes in for investment but we will be building our nation.”
Dr. Derrick Deslandes from the Ministry of
Agriculture giving the main address at the launch of the West Indies
Union Conference Backyard Garden Investment Program.
In attendance were
officials from the West Indies Union Conference, Central Jamaica
Conference, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Rural Agricultural
Development Authority (RADA). The main address was delivered by Dr.
Derrick Deslandes from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. Deslandes stated that, “if as a country we cannot feed ourselves
we will be at the mercy of other countries and as it stands now
close to seventy percent of our food is imported. We have to find
and make partnership if we are to survive this global food crisis.
When we were approached by the Seventh-day Adventist church we were
joyful because together we cannot fail.”
Representative from RADA giving a presentation
on proper gardening at the launch of the West Indies Union
Conference Backyard Garden Investment Program in Central Jamaica
Conference.
Persons from RADA gave
presentations on proper gardening, soil preparation and pest
control. They also took time to showcase the Backyard Garden Kit
prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture. For more information about
Backyard Garden Kit contact the nearest RADA Parish Office or visit
www.rada.gov.jm. For more information on the Backyard Garden
Investment Program contact the West Indies Union Conference or visit
www.wiunion.org.
-Article and Photos by Kemar T. J. Douglas
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