Pupils to wield sickles in school yard

PANAJI rWith an aim to generate interest in vegetable cultivation among pupils, the State Directorate of Agriculture has identified 90 schools across the State for the implementation of the State Sector Scheme Development of Kitchen Gardens. rThe scheme would be implemented in the current kharif season, wherein a kitchen garden vegetable kit would be provided to each school for cultivation of vegetables in the school backyard. rThe kit would consist of a specific quantity of seeds of lady finger (hybrid JK 62), red amaranthus, cluster beans, ridge gourd, bitter gourd; fruit fly traps and sticky traps, organic manure, bio-pesticide (tricoderma viridae, buaveria bassilia and azardarectin/neemazol), a banner, agricultural implements including spade, pickaxe, plastic basket and sickle; spray pump, mask, hand gloves, among others. rWith this scheme, the Directorate of Agriculture in the long run wants to reduce the state’s dependency on neighbouring states by inculcating interest in agriculture among children, exposing them to actual vegetable cultivation and enriching their knowledge in farming, which in turn can increase the production of vegetables in the State. rThe Directorate of Agriculture will conduct a half-day training programme for school faculties as well as students. It is is expected to cover the method of preparation of soil mixtures, raising of seedlings, preparation and arrangement of grow bags, selection of vegetables, pattern of sowing, cropping and planting pattern and various tips for cultivation.