St Martins Secondary launches Agriculture Science Programme

The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF), with the support of the General Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU), officially launched a new Agriculture Science Programme at the St. Martin’s Secondary School, (SMSS), Kingstown, on Monday, October 14, 2025.

The ZNTF said in a release that the initiative forms part of the national mission to strengthen food security, promote agricultural education, and inspire youth participation in sustainable food production.

Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar, a past student, reflected on his personal connection to the all-boys school and the evolving perception of agriculture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

“When I attended St. Martin’s Secondary, agriculture was tabooed. Our parents wanted us to pursue physics, chemistry, and business because they didn’t want us to work as hard as they did in the fields. Today, agriculture science is far more dynamic than that.”

Minister Caesar commended the leadership provided by Safiya Horne-Bique, CEO of the ZNTF for her role in transforming agricultural education across the nation.

“The Ministry stands ready to fully support this programme, not only because of my connection to this school but because of our national commitment to achieving food security and sovereignty, ensuring that food remains available, affordable, and accessible,” he said.

The Zero Hunger Trust Fund has been spearheading a long-term initiative to modernize agricultural education in SVG, and since 2019, has worked with the Ministries of Agriculture, and Education to expand access to Agriculture Science across secondary schools.

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