River Gee: RGVTTI’s agriculture students reap huge yields from campus garden amid challenges

By Ben TC Brooks

Students reading agriculture at the River Gee County Vocational and Technical Training Institute (RGVTTI), have begun harvesting crops on their campus garden, showcasing their resilience in the face of difficulties such the lack of farming tools, limited funds, and insufficient supplies.

Initially undertaken as a practical project, this endeavor has evolved into a strong example of determination, innovation, and hands-on learning.

At the start of the technical vocational education and training (T-VET) trimester, the institution’s agriculture students faced shortages of basic equipment like wheelbarrows, shovels, hoes, seeds, and organic fertilizers due to budget constraints, which also compounded the students’ problem, making it even difficult to acquire more expensive tools like motorized tillers and drip-irrigation systems.

Despite these challenges, the Agriculture Department of the RGVTTI, led by Director Maxen Worjolo, has implemented various creative strategies to enhance students’ learning experiences.

Currently, during practical sessions, students are cultivating a range of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, okra, cucumbers, cabbage, bitter-balls, cassava, and yams.

“We’re exploring intercropping by planting quick-growing crops alongside slower-growing root vegetables to optimize space and reduce pest issues,” said Sunday Hinneh, President of RGVTTI’s agriculture students.

We intend to increase our yield by planting heat-resistant sweet potatoes later in the season,” Hinneh added.

For the over 45 students in the RGVTTI Agriculture Department, the gardening venture has exceeded educational goals, providing them with invaluable knowledge about small-scale farming techniques.

Agriculture student Abigail Wesseh noted, “Learning about pest management through companion planting has boosted our confidence in using fewer chemical pesticides.”

The students have reported that their surplus produce has positively impacted the local community as they sell their produce in nearby towns and at the weekly market center in Fish Town, generating income for transportation, faculty support, and campus health initiatives.

RGVTTI’s Assistant Director for Technical Services, Mr. Philip Jah, disclosed that the institution is actively pursuing partnership with agricultural NGOs to acquire better tools, a wider variety of seeds, among others.

Jah also disclosed plans to expand the campus garden by an additional quarter hectare, install shade nets for delicate seedlings, and introduce small livestock such as chickens for pest control and fertilizer.

In spite of ongoing resource challenges, the RGVTTI’s agriculture students have proven that creativity, collaboration, and practical learning can effectively mitigate material shortages.

Their thriving garden exemplifies the possibilities that can arise from determination and practical education, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.