Turks and Caicos is rich with industries and resources for Agriculture to thrive. Building and strengthening skills within this field can shape the future of Agriculture for the better, and the great thing about it is that it can be done right within the Caribbean region. What will be highlighted this month is academic and technical routes to study this field along with careers within this field.
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Academic Routes Technical RouteAcademic Routes
Before you start an academic course, there are a few things that you should consider:
- Entry requirements
- Subjects you need for the career(s) you have in mind
Be sure to speak to us at Brain Food TCI, or any career advisor you may have access to, if you need assistance where entry requirements are concerned.
Secondary and Post-secondary towards Higher Education
Most, if not all, high schools require you to do CXCs, GCSEs, or any other equivalent to be able to excel to Higher Education (college/university). In institutions in the Caribbean, such the University of the West Indies, you are required to have 5 CXC (CSEC & CAPE) OR IGCSE & GCE subjects, including Mathematics and English. If an institution does not have any of these examination bodies listed when searching what is required, search for equivalencies through their admissions page or contact them directly for more information. Also, some courses may require you to have certain subjects other than Math and English that are compulsory to went entering the course. Be sure to check the entry requirements to know exactly what is required.
Higher Education
As mentioned earlier, CXCs and/or other equivalents are required to proceed to this level. In higher education, you have the ability to obtain:
Undergraduate
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
Postgraduate
- Master’s Degree
- Ph.D.
Depending on your journey and your career, you can decide how far you need to go in terms of further education. You do not need to pursue a Master’s degree or Ph.D. unless it is required based on your career choice.
Academic Agriculture Related Courses
Northern Caribbean University (Jamaica)
BSc Agriculture
Northern Caribbean Uuniversity (NCU) aims to give you the understanding of managing their agri-crop and teaches agriculture practices throughout the course. The course also aims to provide you with experience from internships, and can lead you towards pursuing careers such as Environmentalist, Farm Manager and Soil Conservationist.
Entry requirements may vary. However for NCU’s Agriculture program, they require five subjects, including three compulsory options: English A, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology/Agricultural Science. See requirements here for what else needs to be obtained.
BSc Agronomy
The Agronomy course is designed to equip students to deal with field crop production and soil management. It also teaches crop production systems that meet the economic objectives of producers as well as the demands from society, consumers and changing climatic conditions.
Entry requirements may vary. However for NCU’s Agronomy program, they require five subjects, including three compulsory options: English A, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology/Agricultural Science. See requirements here for what else needs to be obtained.
BSc Applied Environmental Geography
This degree will foster the traditional and newly developed technical skills which will prepare you for positions in colleges and universities. It will also provide preparation for a variety of jobs whether internationally, locally, or through non-governmental agencies. As for the careers that you can pursue from studying this course, they include Science Teacher, Veterinarian, and Archaeologist.
Entry requirements may vary. However for NCU’s Applied Environmental Geography program, they require five subjects, including three compulsory options: English A, Mathematics, and Geography. See requirements here for what else needs to be obtained.
University of the West Indies (St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago)
BSc Agribusiness Management
This course is structured around the business of agriculture. This program provides courses that cover business areas such finance, economics and marketing, as well as agriculture courses such as crop & livestock production and Caribbean agriculture. An internship opportunity is also available later in the program for experience in the field.
As for entry requirements for this course, there are no prerequisites needed, meaning no subjects or anything else is needed in order to be considered for the program. Click here for more information.
MSc Agricultural Economics
Core courses in the Agricultural Economics master’s degree include as Microeconomics, and Statistics & Mathematics for Agribusiness to help you to study and acquire deeper knowledge on the field. This degree has three areas that you can specialise in so that you can steer yourself in your desired career focus:
- Trade Policy and Competitiveness
- Marketing and Agribusiness Management
- Environmental and Natural Resource
Entry requirements for this course require you to have at least lower second honours BSc degree (minimum 2.0 GPA) in Agribusiness, Economics, or any related course. See requirements here for what else needs to be obtained.
University of Technology (Jamaica)
University of Technology (UTech) School of Building and Land Management and School of Natural and Applied Sciences has two suitable programs that would be useful to the Agriculture field:
- BSc Urban and Regional Planning (Building and Land Management)
- BSc Environmental Science (Natural and Applied Sciences)
The programs listed all have their individual requirements and subjects, some being quite similar to others. Overall, what you are expected to have are subjects such as Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Technical Drawing, and the compulsory subjects English A and Mathematics.
General entry requirements are five CSECs or any other equivalent passes. For more targeted information based on these programs, click here.
Technical Routes
Internships & Volunteering
Participate in local volunteering and agriculture related programs
The technical routes in this field are quite similar but 100% practical. With the option below, you can obtain skills and experience that can lead you to a successful progression in the field and make it easier to get your foot in the door.
Turks and Caicos Islands Clinic Exploration Program
In the Turks and Caicos, there is a opportunity that would be strongly encouraged to take part in. The program’s goal is to equip the next generation of professionals with a community-oriented knowledge. They provide you with the opportunity to shadow health care and environmental professionals in their work environment for your best interest and they intend to steer you into a field that is suitable for you. For agriculture there are three recommended places that would be suitable for your interest:
To get involved and to seek further information, click here.
What is also encouraged is to seek internship or volunteering work with local farms/farmers such as Courtney Missick (Kew, North Caicos). Be sure to contact the Department of Agriculture to get involved with the Kew Agricultural Station and other services/facilities. Agriculture is a vital yet slightly neglected field in the T.C.I. With soil and crop we can produce in the country, starting a career in this field is an admirable step. From the information provided, you can start right here in your region and at home. Feel free to embark on those opportunities. Always remember, embrace all opportunities near or far.
Independent Farming and Fishing
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a land capable of crop growing and easy access to the sea. An additional perk is the peak crab season in May. Permitted you follow the Fishery laws, feel free to start fishing and ‘crabbing’ on your own or with partners to gain the skills.
Resources
Below is a list of definitions for some of the careers mentioned earlier, as well as an article that will bring some insight to Agriculture in the Caribbean Region.
Environmentalist: A person who studies the environment or believes that it must be protected from damage by human activities. – Cambridge Dictionary
Soil Conservationist: A person who manages and works on the prevention of soil erosion and soil depletion by protective measures against water and wind damage. – Merriam-Webster
Archaeologist: Someone who studies the buildings, graves, tools, and other objects of people who lived in past. – Cambridge Dictionary
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