Advancing Agricultural Skills: Nineteen Agricultural Professionals and Students Successfully Completed Shade House Training Programme
On May 9, 2025, nineteen agricultural professionals and agricultural students in Guyana and the Caribbean region successfully completed the 2025 Shade House Training Programme.
The Training Programme was implemented by Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC Inc.) in collaboration with the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) with funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation and forms part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening climate-smart agricultural practices in Guyana and across the Caribbean region.
The primary objective of the Training Programme was to equip participants with both technical expertise and practical experience in key areas, including shade house installation and management, crop management and cultivation techniques, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling and storage. Participants engaged in a blended learning experience that combined expert-led presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on field demonstrations—each tailored to enhance understanding and promote the practical application of climate-smart agriculture practices. As part of the hands-on component, participants successfully constructed a functional shade house in under two days.
The Programme, which was executed over the period May 6-9, 2025 at NAREI brought together a diverse group of agricultural professionals from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10, along with students from the GSA and the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP)and agricultural engineers from St. Lucia.
Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha, provided feature remarks at the Shade House Training Certification Ceremony held at the Mangrove Research Centre at NAREI, and outlined that this training will play an important role in supporting the advancement of agriculture in Guyana and the Caribbean Region. “This training equips our farmers and agricultural professionals with the tools needed to tackle climate change head-on while promoting sustainable food systems. We want Guyana to be a food-producing country. Not just for primary products but also for agro-processing.” Minister Mustapha also took the opportunity to outline various agriculture initiatives being pursued by the Government of Guyana and supporting being provided to Caribbean countries.
Managing Director of EMC Mr. Shyam Nokta highlighted that the EMC Group is looking forward to advancing the collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and partners. “It is our intention to work with our partners to see how we can have subsequent training of this nature, but also to see what other opportunities and support could be provided as it regards to agriculture and climate-smart agriculture,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of NAREI Mr. Jagnarine Singh in his remarks pointed out that proper shade house management and production will lead to major benefits for the entire country and even allow for more overseas exports. “If you can manage the shade house properly, you can get crops at one price all year around. But because of the seasonal nature of the crop, you would end up paying all these high prices. And this is what shade house management is teaching you, so that we can have reliable supply. Because if we are going to supply a market, if we get an overseas market to supply, we now have a reliable customer.”
Also providing remarks was the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana School of Agriculture, Mr. Gavin Ramnarain who emphasized the importance of the Shade House Training Programme, particularly for youths who wish to take up agriculture as a career.
As the Shade House Training Programme advances it is expected to catalyze key agriculture projects and initiatives by supporting farmers and students to apply climate-smart techniques.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha providing feature remarks
Mr. Shyam Nokta, Managing Director of EMC providing remarks
Mr. Jagnarine Singh, CEO of NAREI providing remarks
Mr. Gavin Ramnarain, CEO of the GSA providing remarks
EMC’s Senior Environmental Officer/ Projects Coordinator, Shannon Stephenson providing remarks
Mr. Shyam Nokta presenting the Training Package to Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Participants Receiving their Certificates of Completion
Participants Receiving their Certificates of Completion
Participants Receiving their Certificates of Completion
Participants Receiving their Certificates of Completion
Participants Receiving their Certificates of Completion
Opening Session of the 2025 Shade House Training
Phase One of the Shade House Construction
Phase One of the Shade House Construction
Final Session of the Shade House Training
Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC) is an environmental service provider and promoter of green growth. EMC works to support efforts aimed at the protection and sustainable management of Guyana’s environment.