Knockalva Technical, coconut champions (Jul-06-2007) Knockalva Technical High School emerged champions of the Coconut Industry Board's Farming Competition for Schools at the awards ceremony held in Lucea last week. According to senior advisory officer at the Coconut Industry Board, Audley Gowdie, the aim of the competition is to get youths to become interested in agriculture, with special emphasis on coconut farming. He said the competition was piloted in St. Mary in 1987, and was later extended to Portland, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, St. Ann, and then Hanover in 2005. "In each parish the programme runs for seven years, with the schools competing each year for a trophy and cash prizes," he stated. $10,000 cash prize Knockalva copped the championship trophy and a cash prize of $10,000. This year's competition also saw the Maryland All-Age School placing second and Clifton All-Age in third place. They each received $5,000 and $3,000, respectively. The schools were assessed on areas that include intercropping, freedom from animal damage and shade, students' awareness and spacing. The coconut seedlings were donated by the Coconut Industry Board, which also provided technical support.