Mbombela - The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration in Mpumalanga wants pupils to grow vegetables in its unused open fields, especially at rural schools.
Through its Junior Land Care Programme, which was initiated in 2000, more than 200 schools have managed to establish vegetable gardens whose produce are either sold to their local communities or used in feeding schemes for poor pupils.
In the process, children have learnt to look after soil, water resources, edible and decorative plants and other natural resources.
"The department, through its land care campaign, seeks to change the behaviour of communities towards caring, management, protection and the rehabilitation of natural resources," said department spokesperson Janine Julies.
She said money was available for projects run by schools and youth clubs, including field trips to botanical gardens, implementing land care in both the curriculum and in practice, and the development of nurseries and permaculture food gardens.
"Schools that are interested in participating in the programme can contact the department's offices at the government complex in Mbombela," said Julies.
Beauty Mabuza, Principal at Enzani Primary School in Matsulu, said the school's vegetable garden has been producing much-needed food since it was established through the programme 10 years ago.
"We really have to thank the programme for our lovely vegetable garden that was created by the learners. With the department's help, paving was installed to control soil erosion, as well as JoJo tanks that now provide water for drinking and watering our vegetables," she said.
"Some of the vegetables are being sold to community members, while pupils from poor background are also benefiting."
Each year Eskom, in conjunction with the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, awards schools that demonstrate best practice in land care in their EduPlant Permaculture competition, which is facilitated by Food and Trees for Africa.
