Africa-Press – Lesotho. In an effort to maximize food production in schools and households, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition has today launched the School Garden Campaign in Botha-Bothe on Tuesday.
The campaign aims to promote food production and combat malnutrition in communities.
The district launch was held at Makhoakhoang Primary School, where the Ministry, through its extension officers, assisted various schools across the district to establish climate-smart garden plots. Pupils, teachers, and parents worked together to construct the demonstration plots as part of the practical training.
Speaking at the event, District Economic Officer Ms. Leoana Makhanya said the initiative is meant to demonstrate how fruits and vegetables can be produced in different plots to increase food availability.
“We are now linking food production with schools, especially preschools, where we want our children to grow up with knowledge and a love for food production,” she explained.
Acting District Agricultural Officer Mr. Kabelo Lenkoe noted that the World Food Programme (WFP) has partnered with the Ministry to ensure that food production is not limited to households, but also extended to schools, where children can be taught to grow food from a young age.
He added that with increasing cases of malnutrition, there is a need for schools to produce their own food since research shows that stunting affects not only physical growth but also mental development and Botha-Bothe is no exception.
“Through this campaign, we are instilling the culture of proper feeding from an early age so that children grow up understanding the importance of eating well and producing food that can sustain them throughout the year,” Mr. Lenkoe said.
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