Cultivating the Change: Students Lead the Way Toward a Sustainable Future

Geethalakshmi K

 Students working in their field - K J Somaiya English Medium School in Sameerwadi

Picture this: Eighth-grade students, armed with water cans, shovels, and sickles, cheerfully toil on their school farm under the warm sun. They grow a diverse range of crops, from the humble fenugreek to the juicy watermelon, bright red tomato to leafy cauliflower,  alongside staples like onion and garlic.

Amidst the global threats of climate change, food security, pollution and biodiversity loss this is what we would come across at the K J Somaiya English Medium School in Sameerwadi. It's an incredibly wonderful initiative blending education with hands-on experience. Guided by the teachers, young students are diving into the farming fields with fervor. Here the kids are not only sowing the seeds and watching them grow. Farming is a continuous process and they practice it every day. These budding farmers are approaching their work with precision and innovation. They carefully arrange their crops in neat rows, demonstrating their dedication to honing their agricultural skills. When it comes to irrigation, they've opted for an environmentally-friendly approach, employing flooding techniques to ensure their crops flourish while conserving precious water resources.

Other than this, the highlight of these farming efforts is their very own compost pit that they have built from scratch. Here the students deposit the agricultural waste and dry leaves, and it becomes nutrient-rich organic compost which is used as fertilizer for their farm. The simplest circular economy model garners our attention as it not only manages agricultural waste but also promotes rich yields. 

K J Somaiya English Medium School in Sameerwadi

Finally, at the time of the harvest, the school provides a platform for these kids to sell their bountiful produce at the Agriculture Fair, held right in the school. “And mostly the teachers eagerly buy the produce as they know the vegetables are completely healthy and organic.” says the school principal, Mr Anil Kumar.

Student of K J Somaiya English Medium School in Sameerwadi

Thus the kitchen garden project by the school ensures that students grasp the concepts theoretically, apply the theory in a way that is practically possible, and explore their commercial viability in a real-world setting. Yet, Perhaps beyond all this tangible success what the students are cultivating is even more profound- a deep sense of environmental responsibility making a lasting impact on the planet, and nurturing a greener and sustainable future.