Budding farmers taught modern ways

If you thought that the Agribusiness Institute was meant only for students from agricultural communities, think again.

The institute, in Hal Luqa Street, Qormi, close to the government's agricultural experimental farm, has in its first year managed to attract 30 students, a considerable number of whom do not come from agricultural families.

Apart from nurturing a crop of technically prepared students who would be able to follow a career in agricultural and related sectors, another aim of the institute is to promote the idea that in order to survive in a free market, growers and farmers have to search for niche markets if they want to survive, director Silvana Camilleri explained yesterday.

Unless farmers and growers learn to cut production costs and employ the latest technology, they would not be able to cope, Ms Camilleri said.

"Students will learn how to search for niche markets, selling honey and capers for example, even to markets overseas. We cannot keep hanging on to the old systems where everybody grows potatoes and tomatoes."

Open days were held at the weekend to give the public an idea of what the institute offers.

Opened in 2003, the institute forms part of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology. It incorporates the former Guze Micallef College of Agriculture and the Danny Cremona Agricultural School.

It aims to equip students with both academic knowledge and hands-on practice, offering a one-year, full-time foundation course and a first diploma in agriculture, which takes another year, also full-time.

Students who would like to extend their academic reach can then move on to the National Diploma in Agriculture, a three-year part-time course.

"The institute's student population is made up more or less of 50 per cent who have an agricultural family background and the rest who come from various strata of society," said Ms Camilleri.

Asked what made students other than those with a home background in agriculture want to join the institute, she noted that agriculture as a science was part and parcel of the environment.

"It goes without saying that the environment has now taken on a lot of importance and as a result, agriculture too has gained in importance. That is why more and more people are becoming interested in the subject.

"The subject is so vast that it no longer covers merely crop science, livestock, soil composition and horticulture," Ms Camilleri added.

The institute has entered into agreements with the Agriculture Department and with private firms to offer students the chance to gain practical experience.

The Employment and Training Corporation offers the students work placements in summer.

The age of entry to the institute is 16, and it normally accepts students who have completed secondary school. There are two avenues of entry: the extended skills training programme and the technical apprenticeship scheme.

Students going for the foundation course do not need any academic qualifications. Students for the first diploma course have to have at least two 'O' level subjects.

In the near future, the institute plans to offer a higher national diploma.

One of the students at the college, Chris Inguanez, 18, of Sta Lucija, said he felt the course not only offered hands-on practice but also showed how to run a successful business.

Mr Inguanez's father is a part-time farmer.

"I would like to go into business, such as the production of plants and flowers," he said.

Another student, Silvan Farrugia, 20, of Zurrieq, does not have an agricultural background but he has always been interested in the sector.

"Like any other subject you have to dedicate time to study," he said with a knowing smile.

The exhibition for the open day was prepared by Victor Vancell and Mario Salerno, together with the lecturers at the institute.

On July 12 at 10 a.m. MCAST in Kordin will be organising a talk about the Agribusiness Institute for parents and students. Students interested in getting further details may phone 2125 7006. During the last week of July, the MCAST in Kordin will be organising a registration week to welcome new students and answer questions.

www.mcast.edu.mt