A two-day informative training exercise tailored at augmenting the communications skillsets and research capabilities of Agricultural Technical Officers has been convened. The workshop focused on communication in its forms and channels, methods of planning outreach strategies and the use of digital media as an empowerment tool. Hosted at the Forestry Department at Union the June 13 & 14, 2023 initiative was led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries,
Food Security and Rural Development in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

 

According to the Senior Officer of Communication and Advocacy at the ILO, Massimiliano Leone, Social communication is
extremely important in the Agricultural sector. “In Saint Lucia, where Ministry staff must be able to convey key messages and develop solid communication strategies that connect with a targeted audience. So, we needed to go over all the communication challenges from social media, public speaking, and camera interviews. Coming out of this workshop the participant should acquire the skills and knowledge to communicate effectively,” remarked, Senior Officer, for Communication and Advocacy at the ILO, Massimiliano Leone. Faced with communication challenges participants who completed the highly interactive practical training sessions were now better skilled in on-camera interviews, interactive talks, keynote presentations, group exercises and lab activities all concept necessary to deal with personal communication challenges.

 

Forestry Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development Nereus Mitchell stated, “Three  things stood out to me at the training. and they are, how to conduct an interview, how to frame an interviewee and how to craft an effective message,” noted Forestry Officer, Nereus Mitchell. Extremely satisfied with her knowledge intake Information Department Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development Michelle Augustin stated that the two-day training session was very informative. “Today I learned how to pitch an idea for a project, conduct live interviews and how to convey messages using social media,” Information Department Secretary, Michelle Augustin. The programme aims to build capacity in seventy-nine (79) countries. Over the years Research institutions, universities, and technical officers from a wide range of governmental institutions have engaged in communication for Development strategies to empower farmers and rural stakeholders by ensuring equitable access to information, inclusive decision making and knowledge
sharing.