Following a knowledge, attitudes and practices study undertaken in Jamaica, J-CCCP produced a communication plan which outlined two primary communication activities for the country: farmers’ markets targeting pilot project areas (Browns Town and Clarendon) and a virtual farming game targeting youth.

J-CCCP has partnered with Jamaica 4-H Clubs to undertake the agriculture-based virtual game as this is Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ area of expertise and the Project is already partnering with them for a school-based climate smart project. The game provides a creative and fun medium through which to educate youth about climate change and climate smart decisions and actions, with the ultimate goal of creating lasting behavioural change.

During the 2018 Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show in Clarendon, Jamaica, UNDP J-CCCP again partnered with Jamaica 4-H Clubs as part of the Youth in Agriculture Village. In attendance and delivering messages were, The Hon Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF); Hon J.C. Hutchinson, Minister without portfolio in the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF); Member of Parliament, Dr Fenton Ferguson, Opposition Spokesperson with responsibility for Agriculture. Other Special guests included the Minister of Agriculture of the Cayman Islands, the Head of the Barbados Agricultural Association, Mr Hidra  McKulsky, Chairman of the Jamaica 4-H, Dr Ronald Blake, Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H, other high level officials of the Jamaica 4-H and the incoming  and outgoing Presidents of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. Of special significance to the UNDP was the presence of Deputy Resident Representative and acting Resident Representative of the Jamaica Country Office, Dr Elsie Laurence-Chounoune.

After the opening ceremony, the officials conducted a tour which included stops at the UNDP J-CCCP booths including the booth dedicated to the demonstration of the J-CCCP developed, Cario Farm Game, which is hosted on the website of the Jamaica 4-H. The Government Officials showed keen interest in, and support for, the work of the UNDP J-CCCP. They were particularly keen on the projects focusing on enhancing supply and efficiency of use of water for irrigation in agriculture. The green house made from plastic bottles by students of one of our partner schools, Richmond Park Primary was a special hit with the Ministers as was the Cario Farm Game. The Cario Farm Game demonstrates and proposes approaches to combat the impact of climate change on farming practices, including the income of farmers, through a user friendly computer game. The game was developed as part of the communications campaign for Jamaica under Outcome 3, administered by the Barbados based JCCCP Project Management Unit.

Fifteen thousand visitors toured the Youth in Agriculture Village, with approximately 1500 playing the Cario Farm Game.