Presto is expanding its school hydroponics programme, taking its agricultural and entrepreneurship initiative to Marabella Government Primary School, as the company seeks to equip pupils with practical farming and business skills.
The latest expansion, launched last Thursday, also saw SuperPharm donate two benches made from recycled materials, extending a corporate partnership beyond retail and into community development.
The initiative attracted the support of Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath, who linked the programme to the Ministry of Education’s increased emphasis on practical agricultural learning in schools and the role of Agricultural Science in the assessment framework associated with the Secondary Entrance Assessment, which is to be reintroduced as the CAC Continuous Assessment Component.
Dowlath welcomed the contribution, pointing to the importance of giving pupils opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom through practical agricultural activities.
The programme, however, goes beyond teaching children how to grow food. Presto wants pupils to learn how to turn production into a small business, sell their harvest and generate income for their schools.
Jean-Luc Mouttet, Agostini Group Chief Growth and Development Officer, described the hydroponics project as a long-term investment in schools rather than a one-off corporate donation.
“The school hydroponics programme is designed for long-term continuity rather than a one-time donation,” Mouttet declared.
“Beyond teaching agricultural concepts, it empowers students with entrepreneurial skills, teaching them how to sell produce and manage a small business.”
He said the company’s ambition was to reach a stage where pupils could sell the produce grown at their schools and establish a dependable fundraising stream to address school needs.
“We want to get to a point where students can sell the produce they have grown at the school, creating a reliable fundraising avenue to meet school needs.”
The Marabella project includes a Presto Hydroponics Garden System, educational signage and improvements to the school environment. These include the donated benches, grounds maintenance, repainting and general facility upkeep.
The two recycled-material benches were supplied by SuperPharm, reflecting the companies’ shared sustainability objectives and growing commercial relationship.
Their collaboration previously extended into the retail sector through the first Presto Hybrid Store at South Park, which introduced a Presto Fresh experience within a SuperPharm location.
The school project takes that partnership into a different space, using corporate resources to support environmental awareness, food production and practical education.
Presto’s hydroponics initiative began in January 2023, when its Arima Market committed to supporting neighbouring Arima Presbyterian Primary School.
Since then, the programme has expanded to schools in Arouca, Montrose, Maloney and El Socorro, with Marabella becoming its latest location.
The expansion gives more pupils exposure to food production and agricultural techniques while introducing them to the commercial possibilities of growing and selling produce.
