Food Security in T & T - a national priority

Winner of the IICA/CARDI Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Award (2009) for TV/Video.
Theme: Achieving food security in Trinidad and Tobago - a national priority.
Video: Elspeth Duncan
Featured School: The University School, St. Augustine

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At the age of six, the students of Prep at the University School are already ensuring their food security. Under the guidance of Vice Principal/Class Teacher, Ms Crooks, these small farmers grow huge, healthy organic vegetables in their school garden.

Greenlight gets Green Fund $upport for Plastic Recycling

Planning Housing and the Environment Minister Emily Dick-Forde, right, chats with the first recipients of grants from the Green Fund yesterday. At left are president of the Greenlight Network Elspeth Duncan and managing director, Fondes Amandes Community Reafforestation Project, Akilah Jaramongi. Photo: Karla Ramoo

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Green Fund $$ for 2 projects

After several years of existence, Government distributed yesterday more than $2.7 million from the Green Fund to two community organisations. Planning, Housing and Development Minister Dr Emily Dick-Forde presented cheques totalling $1,914,806 and $852,281 to Fondes Amandes Community Group and Greenlight Network, respectively, for two projects. Fondes Amandes will use the money to continue its reafforestation initiative in the Fondes Amandes watershed in St Ann’s.

The funding is to complete the project within WASA’s lands in the watershed, upgrading infrastructure of the facilities on the site and to continue outreach/educational activities. And the Greenlight Network’s will use its funds to undertake a plastic recycling initiative. It’s the first project of the kind being undertaken in T&T. Citizens will be able to dispose of their household plastic waste in a manner that will ensure protection of the environment.

Dick-Forde, in addressing the ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, said legislation was expected to be amended shortly to allow a larger number of community groups to apply for grants under the Green Fund, which was established in 2004. The fund provides grants to community groups and organisations for projects such as environmental conservation, reafforestation or remediation.

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