THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The school garden of the MGM Central Public School, Akkulam, is all ready to produce a yield of varied varieties of vegetables. The CBSE school was recently selected for the Attipra Krishi Bhavan’s annual vegatable farming project for schools. This is the first time that the Krishi Bhavan in Attipra has selected a CBSE school for the three-month long scheme, for which they also provide financial aid to the students.
Says Sijulal, assistant agricultural officer, Attipra Krishi Bhavan, “Nine schools come under our purview. We choose different schools each year and MGM is one of the two schools which we have selected this year, after they approached us to be part of the programme.”
Seeds of Amaranths, Tomatoes, Brinjal, Ladies Finger, Ash Gourd, Snake Gourd and Long Beans were distributed to around 500 school students. Besides those packets containing around 2 grams of seeds, students were also given seeds to take home as well.
Adds Sijulal, “Our aim is to create awareness among students on the benefits of growing your own vegetables through organic farming as well as avoiding the use of commercial pesticides.”
The students, after being distributed the seeds, were also given lessons on sowing the seeds and preparing organic fertilisers.
They were also advised on sowing the seeds in a potting mixture prepared by combining soil and cowdung, after filling growbags with the mixture.
Speaking on being part of the programme, Muralidharan, the school principal, says, “ It is important for students of not just government schools but also those from other elite sections to have an awareness in vegetable and organic farming. We wanted to play our part in creating more awareness among students.”
The school has recently started their own project of handing out sweet potato and tapioca stems, to encourage an interest in farming among students.
The school plans to continue maintaining the vegetable farm as well as their own garden providing tapioca and sweet potatoes. The school also maintains a small medicinal garden.