Hydroponic train the trainers pilot project in Sint Maarten

The territory of Sint Maarten is marked by rather limited agricultural activity, and relies heavily on important foodstuffs to meet the needs of the population. This dependence exposes the population to fluctuations in global market prices, and to risks in the event of natural disasters, which could interrupt supplies.
Due to a shortage of arable land, high vulnerability to hurricanes and a lack of freshwater resources, the development of local agriculture following a traditional model is difficult. As a result, hydroponics, which involves growing plants using a soil-less nutrient solution, represents a promising alternative to address this shortage. The Sint Maarten government has therefore set about implementing a pilot project in some of the island's schools to promote hydroponic farming among the younger generation.
This GO facility aims to support the government project, also supporting the development of sustainable agriculture on Sint Maarten, by encouraging the development of hydroponic agriculture and raising awareness of this method among the younger generation. Schools that are part of the program will benefit from the installation of hydroponic farming systems, as well as technical training provided by experts able to pass on their skills to the rest of the community members, enabling a better understanding of hydroponic technology and strengthening Sint Maarten's capacity to produce healthier food locally in participating schools, which will lead, over time, to a reduction in dependence on imported food.