At the Johanna Cecilia Secondary School, a pioneering agricultural project empowers students with practical business skills by encouraging them to get hands-on experience, literally.
The project helps these students create value-added products, such as pepper sauce and green seasoning, which are then sold to the community. Designed by agricultural science teacher Davin Misir and launched in late 2023, the project’s initiative aims to make agriculture more than just a subject. It teaches students not only how to grow food but also how to cultivate business acumen and entrepreneurship.
“Our goal is to show students that agriculture isn’t just about planting seeds—it’s about building a future,” Misir, who has been teaching for over a decade, said.
Small Beginnings
The project, which began with a focus on growing peppers, lettuce, and celery, has expanded to include value-added products like pepper sauce and green seasoning. The students are fully involved in all aspects of the business, from planting and harvesting to production and selling and beyond.
“The students are the ones doing everything. They grow the crops, harvest them, and even sell the products. We’re here to guide them, but this is their project,” Davin explains. “It’s their hard work that’s making it successful, and they’re taking ownership of it.”
This hands-on approach provides students with more than just agricultural knowledge; they learn valuable business and life skills that will serve them long after graduation.
Business Through the Lens of Agriculture
According to Misir, “We’re teaching them how to manage a business, how to work a team, and how to take responsibility for something important. These skills will make them successful in life, no matter what path they take.”
While the students are building their future, their work already positively impacts the local community. Starlight Restaurant, a local eatery owned by a community resident, has become a key partner in the project by purchasing fresh produce for its dishes.
“We supply him with everything from lettuce to peppers,” Davin says. “It’s a great partnership because it connects the school’s efforts to the local economy and gives students a sense of how their work can contribute to the community.”
Support From the Community
Other local caterers have also contacted the school for produce, further embedding the project into the community and helping students see the real-world application of their efforts.
“The fact that local businesses are supporting us motivates the students. It’s proof that their work is valuable, and it’s helping to build their confidence,” Mr. Misir adds.
Beyond the classroom and the local community, the project invests in the students’ futures using the funds generated to provide educational opportunities.
Some of the profits are being used to help students pursue further studies in agriculture, including sending them to the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) for food processing certification.
“We’re hoping to give students the tools they need to start their own businesses or enter the workforce with valuable skills,” Davin says. “It’s about giving them a leg up so that they can succeed in a growing industry.”
Additionally, funds from the project have been used to subsidize CXC exam fees for students who need financial assistance, ensuring that their education remains a priority.
Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs
Despite the success, the project hasn’t come without challenges.
“Funding is always a concern, but we’re making it work,” Davin admits. “We’ve had support from local and international sponsors, including a Canadian NGO from Tana Yussuff’s community, that helped us repair our poultry unit and expand our farming capacity.”
At Johanna Cecilia Secondary, the agricultural project is more than just a lesson in farming—it’s a lesson in entrepreneurship, community-building, and personal growth.
“These students have worked incredibly hard,” Davin reflects. “It’s been a journey, and they’ve come so far. But we’re just getting started.”
