In a bid to address food scarcity within their campus and instill a passion for agriculture among students, Kanton Senior High School has embarked on an innovative pilot project.
The initiative, led by the school’s Headmaster, Mr. Mohammed Kanton, saw the cultivation of a two-acre farm yielding 30 bags of maize and an impressive three and a half bags of soybeans.
In a recent interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Kanton emphasized the project’s goal of supplementing students’ meals while highlighting the scientific aspect of farming. The hope is to inspire students to view agriculture not just as a traditional endeavor but as a modern and attractive venture with significant scientific foundations.
“We cultivated two units (acre) of maize and one unit (acre) of soybeans for the start of our pilot project with the hope of improving as the years go by,” Mr. Kanton explained. The success of the initial harvest, with thirty bags of maize and three and a half bags of soybeans, speaks volumes about the potential for sustainable agricultural practices within an educational setting.
Crucial to the project’s success was the support from the Parent Association (PA), which generously covered expenses for tractor ploughing, fertilizer, and seed purchase.
Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, the PA Chairman, and other executives played pivotal roles in ensuring the project’s financial feasibility, allowing the school to provide valuable hands-on experience to its students.
Under the motto of ‘Operation Feed Yourself,’ the students actively participated in the project, contributing minimal labor after classes and during weekends.
Mr. Jacob Batong Mahamud, the Senior House Master, underscored the positive impact of the initiative, emphasizing that it demonstrated how farming could be a lucrative venture with the right agronomic practices.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Mahamud expressed optimism about the future of agriculture within the school. He praised the collaborative efforts of the headmaster, the PA, and the students, emphasizing the importance of continued support and interest in agriculture.
With the right encouragement, Kanton Senior High School envisions expanding its agricultural pursuits, cultivating not only crops but also a passion for sustainable farming practices among its students.
Source: GESHub.org
