By Italy Ton-Chung
At the Johanna Cecilia Secondary School, a pioneering agricultural project is empowering students with practical business skills, helping them to create value-added products such as pepper sauce and green seasoning, which sold to the community.
Launched in late 2023, the project was designed by Agricultural Science teacher Davin Misir. The initiative, which aims to make agriculture more than just a subject, 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.
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.
“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 is providing students with more than just agricultural knowledge. They’re learning valuable business and life skills that will serve them long after they graduate.
According to Misir, “We’re teaching them how to manage a business, how to work as a team, and how to take responsibility for something important. These are the skills that will make them successful in life, no matter what path they take.”
While the students are building their own future, their work is already having a positive impact on 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.”
Other local caterers have also reached out to 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 is really motivating for 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 is investing in the students’ futures by 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,” says Davin. “It’s about giving them a leg up, so they can succeed in a growing industry.”
Additionally, funds from the project have been used to subsidise CXC exam fees for students who need financial assistance, ensuring that their education remains a priority.
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.”
Looking ahead, Johanna Cecilia Secondary School’s agricultural project has big plans to expand its operations and reach new markets.
The students are already working towards this future. “They’re excited about the idea of seeing their products on supermarket shelves,” says Davin.
“They know this could be a long-term career opportunity for them, and it’s helping them see agriculture in a whole new light.”
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.”
For the students at Johanna Cecilia Secondary School, agriculture is no longer just a subject in the classroom. It’s a gateway to new opportunities—a future they can cultivate with their own hands.
And with the support of their teacher and community, these young entrepreneurs are ready to take their next steps towards a successful future.
The post Sowing the Seeds of Success: Johanna Cecilia Secondary’s agricultural project empowers young entrepreneurs appeared first on News Room Guyana.
