IICA, CFL, SLAFY and MOA Support Phase 5 Helping Out Our Primary and Secondary Schools (HOOPSS)

The IICA Delegation in Saint Lucia, in collaboration with Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL), the Saint Lucia Agricultural Forum for Youth (SLAFY) and the Ministry of Agriculture,  Food Production, Fisheries,  Cooperatives and Rural Development (MAFPFCRD) agreed to implement a fifth phase of the Helping Out Our Primary and Secondary Schools (HOOPSS) Project in 2015 with financial support from CFL.  The HOOPSS Project was initiated in 2009.

HOOPSS Phase 5 is supporting 19 primary and secondary schools in developing self-sustaining farms, engaging students on the merits of agriculture as a viable career, enhancing their local school feeding programmes and agricultural science curriculum, as well as strengthening market linkages between schools and CFL.

These targets have been achieved by improving on existing school farms while expanding the scope of school farm programmes to new areas t such as rearing poultry, rabbits and fresh-water fish (aquaculture); as well as greenhouse technology. Doing so has been beneficial to broadening the knowledge base of students and teachers, alike.  Under Phase 5, HOOPSS benefited from the support of the Tele-Gathering Group through Jameson Alphonse (SLAFY Vice President) and LIME Saint Lucia to give support to the urban, pallet garden of the Marchand Primary School, as well as support to the greenhouse of the Marigot Secondary School.  

At the launch of Phase 5, The HOOPSS Project  was been recognized by the Minister of Agriculture and contributing partners as an important contributor to improved food and nutrition security by strengthening school feeding systems and agricultural development by adding value to the engagement of youth on agriculture.

For more information contact: Brent Theophile (brent.theopile@iica.int)