Learn ABC of farming… in schools

[S.Annadana]

Learn ABC of farming… in schools

Special Correspondent


Pilot project on vegetable cultivation in 10 schools





THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city Corporation has launched a school-level project to encourage students to take up vegetable cultivation and promote organic farming practices. Funded by State Bank of India, the pilot project is being implemented in 10 city schools with technical assistance from Krishi Bhavans under the Agriculture Department. The seeds are being supplied by the Kerala Horticulture Mission.

The selected schools have already prepared vegetable gardens on five cents of land. The Parent Teacher Associations and Students Green Clubs there are being equipped for the project. The Agriculture Department is supplying seeds and 50 kg of organic manure to each school, free of cost. The PTA will provide workers and equipment needed to prepare the plant beds.

At the Pattom Girls Higher Secondary School, the students have come up with a novel alternative to overcome lack of space. The garden here is prepared on the terrace of a block. The seeds are planted in 500 sacks filled with soil. The sacks were collected by the students from various households.

The chairman of the Corporation’s standing committee on Health G.R. Anil said each Krishi Bhavan would provide technical support for two schools.

“The project is primarily aimed at creating interest among schoolchildren in farming. We have drawn up plans to celebrate the crop harvesting with a festival. By Onam this year, each school will be ready with at least one basket of vegetables,” he said.

Dual purpose

Mr. Anil said the harvested produce would be used for the noon meal scheme in schools. “The schools can reduce the expense on purchasing vegetables,” he added. The project also aims at promoting organic farming.

Some schools selected for the project have also taken up banana cultivation. “We hope to harvest by Onam next year,” Mr. Anil said. The Corporation is planning to extend the project to more schools next year.

Minister for Agriculture Mullakara Retnakaran will inaugurate the project on Friday at the Pattom Government Girls Higher Secondary School. The Corporation has also chalked out a scheme to promote banana cultivation at the homestead level.

“The project will ensure at least one bunch of bananas for every household for Onam in 2008,” Mr.Anil said.