Food Security: Delta Govt. launches school farming programmes

Delta Government on Tuesday says it has launched schools farming programmes in primary schools across the state to attract the youths, boost nutritions and ensure food security in the state.

The state government through its Ministry of Basic Education has already commenced the school farming programmes and had distributed seedlings and planting items to participating schools in Asaba, Ozoro, and Patani in the state.

Supreme news reports that programme which was organised by the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), has as its theme, “School Farming as a Tool for Sustainable Nutrition for Learners.”

Speaking at the event, Director in the Ministry of Basic Education, Mr Daniel Akiri, represented by Dr Michael Emeshili, said that the theme of the programmes was apt.

Akiri, said that nutrition was one of the major indices of development and one of the benefits of integrating farming into school activities to ensure food security and self-sufficiency in food production among school children in the state.

The director further commended the State Committee on Food and Nutrition for the programme, while urging the teachers and the students to take the exercise serious.

“Children, especially school children, integrate what they are taught and see into their lives, by demonstrating and growing plants they have imbibed the culture of cultivation which they will practice.

“This collaborative initiative of revamping school farming will complement efforts to bridge the gap in food and nutrition insecurity of the state thereby promoting optimal nutrition.”

During the practicals, the Agricultural experts Mr Emeke Ochelli and Dr Arthur Bidor, demonstrated how the seedlings should be planted to get maximum results.

They in underscored the the importance of school farming in building a generation that understands the value of agriculture.

“School farming goes beyond just growing crops. It is a platform to teach responsibility, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

“When pupils learn how to cultivate food, they gain life skills that contribute to national development and personal well-being,” they said.

On her part, Mrs Rachael Ojie, Chief Inspector of Education, thanked the organisers and encouraged both public and private schools to adopt agricultural practices.

According to Ojie, school farming empowers the next generation with essential life skills needed in food production and nutrition.

“It will give pupils access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs.

Supreme news also reports that tomatoes, pepper and oil plan seedlings were given to pupils from the participating schools in Asaba, Ozoro and Patani in the state.