KLANG: Wanting to familiarise students with organic farming, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has embarked on a project to help schools set up vegetable plots on their premises.
CAP education officer N.V. Subbarow said besides helping to solve food security issues, the move will also encourage more people to take up agriculture.
He added that this will also instil a sense of responsibility in students.
“Gardening is educational and develops new skills, such as responsibility from caring for the plants, understanding the cause-and-effect link that plants will die without water and that weeds compete with plants," said Subbarow.
He said other things the students will learn include the importance of consuming healthy food such as vegetables and fruits.
“It will also allow them to gain self-confidence as well as create a platform to spend more time outdoors," explained Subbarow who is also CAP’s natural farming training coordinator.
Recently, Subbarow initiated an event to set up a vegetable garden at SJK (T) Pulau Carey Timur in Carey Island, Kuala Langat.
Some 90 students and 50 teachers from Tamil schools in Kuala Langat attended the event.
The students and teachers at the school planted chillies, okra, mint, brinjal, curry leaf, and spinach in the vegetable garden in their school’s vegetable plots.
“After the programme ended, six other schools approached me to visit their schools and hold similar programmes there.
“Some of the students and teachers also took back saplings and seeds, provided by CAP, to be planted in their respective schools," said Subbarow.
He said CAP was urging more schools to set up organic vegetable gardens on their premises.
“These gardens also provide a place of rest, healing, and meditation, which leads to improved mental health.
“With the stress of testing in schools these days, gardens can serve as an oasis and a welcome change of scenery," said Subbarow.
