A smart greenhouse, equipped with the latest in agricultural technology, opened last Friday (December 5) at the José Martí Technical High School in St. Catherine.

Established under the Ministry of Education’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) expansion plan, the facility will operate as a satellite greenhouse for schools in and around Spanish Town, offering access to advanced agricultural technology to enhance teaching and learning at both the primary and secondary levels.

Dr Nahema Daniels-Heath, technical support officer in the ministry, who delivered the keynote address at the launch, said that the opening of the lab “marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter” in agricultural training.

The smart greenhouse showcases science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) integration in agriculture by providing students with hands-on, technology-driven experiences, preparing them for careers in agriculture, renewable energy and engineering.

Key features include automated precision-farming systems with real-time sensor monitoring; internet of things (IoT)-enabled data processing and remote management; and a 12-kilowatt solar energy system, supporting sustainable operations.

Daniels-Heath said the facility serves as a “living classroom powered by innovation,” noting that it is a model of modern agricultural science education.

She noted that through precision agriculture, automation and IoT technologies, students will have access to “real time data and hands-on experiences that mirror modern farming practices”.

“Renewable energy systems will support learning in STEM, while agriculture, engineering, plant science and technology come together in a seamless learning environment,” she pointed out.

Daniels Heath said that the greenhouse lab will equip students to contribute to strengthening Jamaica’s agricultural resilience and food security.

“The Eat Jamaican movement encourages us to support our farmers, value our local produce and understand the importance of growing what we eat. This greenhouse helps students to appreciate their role in that national mission,” she pointed out.

The smart lab is a key element of the ministry’s strategic vision to modernise TVET education in Jamaica through the establishment of cutting-edge exemplary labs.

Daniels Heath said that José Martí Technical High was selected as the flagship project based on its strong agricultural science foundation and long-standing partnership with the ministry.

She noted that the institution, which has produced generations of innovators and nation builders, continues to shape young people who are academically grounded, technically trained and ready to contribute to national development.