THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Whether the climate is hostile or not, after four in the evening, the National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of Rahmania Arabic College(RAC) Higher Secondary School, Kadameri, Kozhikode, can be seen nowhere but at the fields adjoining the school campus.
For these young vibrant farmers, agriculture is not at all child’s play. The group, comprising as many as 100 members, has already proved its flair for farming. Within three years, they have set up a plantain farm, a tapioca farm, a fish pond and a bush pepper garden. The students are not from farmers’ families but their dedication and love to know more about plants have drawn them closer to cultivation.
According to NSS Programme Officer Muhammed Saleem, all credit for this successful farm story must go to the students. “There was no commercial purpose in the beginning of the farm projects here, but the students astonished us with their work and we got a good yield. Then the surplus products were sold at the vegetable market for a reasonable price,” he says.
“I recommend active farm activities in schools since it can play a vital role in the overall development of a child,” he adds. From preparing the land to watering of plants, all were done by the students themselves.
“It is for the first time that we are touching cow dung and reaping crops with scythe,” says Plus Two Science student Hasnath C T. An aquaculture project was also launched here last year. “Every new batch has to submit a novel project that can flourish within a couple of years. When it was our turn, we found aquaculture to be the best. After preparing a comprehensive project, we constructed the fish pond and bought the materials,” she says.
It was nothing but the soaring price of vegetables which forced them to try out vegetables in their field. Since vegetables are seasonal, we had limitations in cultivating them. Even though they were less confident about the success, they creatively divided and levelled the plot to grow high quality vegetables. The active support of the officials with the Krishi Bhavan also helped them create wonders in the venture. “Our association with the Agriculture Department and local farmers helped us gain the traditional wisdom practised by successful farmers,” says Plus Two Humanities student A M Umair.
In the initial stage, they received financial aid from Ayancheri grama panchayat. “This year, we heard that only three schools will get financial backing from the panchayat. We hope we will be included in the list,” the student farmers said confidently.
Giving an agriculture angle to their projects seems part of their activities. This year, they are on a mission to construct a house for their companion at school. “In that house too, we will spread the lessons of farming that we have learnt from here,” they smile.