The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has funded 14 school garden projects; one per each region, with a total worth value of 1.1 million. The School Garden Funding Project (SGFP) is a corporate social responsibility initiative by the NAB in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts and culture (MoEAC). The main objective of the project is to advocate for practical teaching and learning as well as to inculcate the culture of crop farming in school learners. The official handover was held at Auas Primary School, in Windhoek.
As for the selection panel, a total of about 42 schools were nominated from various regions which translates into an average of about 3 school per region. Among the three school, one school had to be selected as a recipient and model for the School Garden Funding Project (SGFP). According to the NAB, the following aspects were considered during the selection process: schools with vulnerable children’s, schools that have existing gardens and access to water for irrigation. Lastly, the teachers at these particular schools were accessed in terms of their involvement and their passion towards agriculture. In khomas region, Auas primary school was selected as the recipient of the NAB donation.
The NAB donated greenhouse structure with fully equipped automated irrigation system, water tanks and also provided the schools with seedlings. The NAB also gave practical training to the teachers on how to plant or grow the produce.
According to Loureen N Mutanimiye, the acting principal of Auas primary school, their school have about 600 orphans and vulnerable children that they feed weekly throughout the year. Loureen thanked the NAB for the donations and highlighted that at least for now, they will be able to meet the Ministry of education halfway with the school feeding programme. “The main aim is to teach learners, how they can produce food for themselves. However, through the garden we will be able to feed our orphans & vulnerable children, a balanced diet” said Loureen.
During the handover ceremony, the minister of Education Arts and Culture; Hon. Ester Anna Nghipondoka highlighted that the school garden initiatives are one of the projects through which school have an opportunity to practically train and equip learners with skills needed in the production of agronomic and horticultural products. Nghipondoka revealed that, it is the desire of their ministry for each and every school in Namibia to have a school garden. “The funding of school garden came at the right time to assist the ministry in ensuring that our learners are well exposed to both theory and practice” stated Nghipondoka.
The Board Chairperson of the NAB, Michael Iyambo has encouraged other schools to learn from these beneficiary schools, in terms of establishing their own garden. Iyambo further added that the project shouldn`t only end with official handover ceremony, but should serve its intended purpose.
Gilbert Mate Mulonda, general manager for agronomy and horticulture market development has assured that the NAB and the ministry of education will keep on monitoring the progress of schools that are beneficiary of the funding initiative. According to Gilbert, the 14 schools will also be registered as producers of horticultural products to ensure the marketing of surplus produce in times when the school produces more.