Fresh vegetables and fruits

The Jamaican Education AgriTech (EAT) Initiative is a pioneering non-profit program whose mission is to equip the next generation of Jamaican with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead agricultural resilience through innovation. By offering hands-on training in hydroponics, Internet-of-Things (IoT), photovoltaic solar systems, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD), the program fosters technical expertise while promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. Through this initiative, students will design, build, and refine automated hydroponic systems, with the goal of manufacturing and distributing them to high schools across Jamaica. 

Hydroponic system

Program Details

Objectives

The program's objectives include raising awareness of climate change, increasing the number of students enrolling in AgriTech courses, and contributing to the development of AgriTech curricula in Jamaican universities and high schools. The program will expand student skills in the areas of Hydroponics, IoT, AI, Photovoltaic Solar Systems and Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Contest Design Requirements and Judging Criteria

The program's primary deliverable is the development of automated hydroponic systems for high schools. The hydroponic systems must accommodate 50 plants of lettuce, bok choy, or kale, with a four-week maturation period. The systems must also integrate solar energy and IoT hardware and software for automated management. The systems must be commercially viable, effective for high school training, and recyclable for multiple uses. Systems will be judged based on total crop yield, budget, materials, space, and training efficacy.

Program Phases

The initiative is structured into three phases. These phases span a two-year period and will culminate in the implementation of scalable hydroponic systems in high schools throughout the island.

  • Phase I: University student participants are enrolled in an AgriTech course consisting of the following modules: (1) hydroponic system design, (2) IoT and electronics systems (3), PV systems, and (4) CAD and manufacturing systems.
  • Phase II: Leveraging the knowledge and skills learnt in Phase I, student teams compete in proposing the best design and manufacturing plan for a practical hydroponics learning kit targeted at high school clientele.
  • Phase III: Shortlisted teams are supported in the development of proof of concept (POC) systems which will be tested by having the system grow specified crops.
  • Phase IV: The winning design will be further refined toward the production of a ready-for-market final product (hydroponics learning kit).
  • Phase V: The first batch of hydroponics learning kits are produced and delivered to targeted high schools.
Program participants

Impact

The EAT impact will include but is not limited to the following:

  • Number of University of Technology students served: 50 (participants)
  • Number of hydroponic systems delivered: 100
  • Number of high schools served: 100
  • Number of high school students served: 250 per school for a total of 1250
  • AgriTech curriculum that will be made available to future students: Immeasurable!

Prizes

  • Laptops and printers utilized during the program
  • A chance to enter into the Imagine Cup for a potential prize of $100,000 USD

Timeline

  • April-June 2025: Build five proof-of-concept systems
  • July – Dec 2025: Cultivate and monitor crops from proof-of-concept systems, select winning design
  • Jan – March 2026: Design manufacturing systems and deliver five production systems

Participate

Application details pending.

Location: University of Technology, Jamaica; 237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, in the parish of St. Andrew

About Us

The EAT Initiative is the collaboration of Jamaican and U.S. change agents across Technology, Agriculture, Education, and Manufacturing. EAT is designed to address the challenges of climate change and its impact on food security through innovative, technology-driven solutions.

Corrinne Martin

Corrinne Martin

Microsoft Volunteer
Gary Horsfall

Gary Horsfall

Gary Horsfall, LLC
Ricardo Chambers

Ricardo Chambers

Chambers Hydrofarm
Yekini Wallen Bryan

Yekini Wallen Bryan

PreeLabs, Limited
Ruth-Ann Pinnock

Ruth-Ann Pinnock

Joining Hands in Unison
Yamile Bustamante Allen

Yamile Bustamante Allen

Microsoft Volunteer
Nickoe Boothe Thompson

Nickoe Boothe Thompson

University of Technology, JA

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