Rousillac Presbyterian Primary School and Fyzabad Anglican Secondary emerged overall winners in the St. Patrick West 4H Club Seed Collection Competition when the prize-distribution ceremony was held at Vessigny Government Secondary School on November 13.

Rousillac emerged the victor among primary schools for all-round performance while Fyzabad took the senior division category.

The function marked the culmination of a year-long project for 4H clubs in the region. The highlight of the year’s 4H programme was the Seed Collection Competition sponsored by Atlantic LNG Company of Trinidad and Tobago and the Agricultural Development Bank.

A total of 30 primary and secondary schools participated in the seed collection competition. The project was co-ordinated by the St. Patrick West region of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands & Marine Resources.

The 4H movement in Trinidad & Tobago represents the concerted efforts of a number of stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Voluntary Leaders Council, corporate sponsors, parents, teachers, and most importantly young club members.

The programme saw 4H members within St. Patrick West collecting seeds located in areas starting from their own communities in the south west to as far as the Northern Range. They were trained in activities such as proper seed storage and germination.

The seed collection competition was started by Atlantic LNG which has an initiative to provide trees for the buffer zone between the LNG plant and the community. This project involves the planting of forest, fruit, ornamental, medicinal and foliage plants.

The seed collection programme has been so impressive that it received the 2008 Green Leaf Award - Youth presented by the Environmental Management Agency.

Marlon Grant, Sustainability Officer, Atlantic LNG, who delivered the feature address at the prize distribution ceremony, congratulated the students on their splendid efforts. “Every time you collect a seed, germinate it and plant a tree because you will be protecting the sustainability of our nation for generations to come. You are the caretakers of the future,” Grant said.

“Your ability to collect seeds and grow trees is a good habit. It provides a pattern that helps you grow into a caring person and a good citizen of our country. That is also what Atlantic LNG is all about. We believe in making the most of our country’s resources to bring benefit to the nation,” he added.