In her visit to Limpopo Province on 8 April 2021, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza included the reintroduction of school gardens in her agenda.
She brought this idea in her discussion with Limpopo MECs for Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) and Education, Ms Nandi Ndalane and Ms Polly Boshielo respectively at the LDARD premises. “Some of our schools have sufficient grounds that can be used for Agriculture. Schools can use their gardens to complement their school nutrition scheme. Leaners could be called to see the germination of seeds practically,” said Didiza whilst indicating that she was not referring to sacrificing sportsgrounds.
The Minister has advised that these gardens should not be used to punish leaners for any wrongdoing in schools.
LDARD Head of Department (Hod), Ms Jacqueline Maisela responded that the Minister’s vision was doable. She said the LDARD initiated Young Aspirant Farmer of Year Awards has shown that schools have potential. “It is interesting to see how the schools perform during the Awards. In Limpopo we will not be starting afresh, but the Awards will be a starting point.
MEC Boshielo and her team also agreed that the idea was feasible since there are eight Agricultural Schools in the Province. “Special schools should be part of the programme since they have a potential. We could also find a way for the market of their produce,” she added.
Besides school gardens, it was acknowledged that the LDARD was an ageing Department, therefore a succession plan should be sought. Unemployed graduates in Agriculture could be a solution since Extension and Advisory Services officials were retiring in majority. What they needed would be an added teaching method so that they could teach learners and [farmers] well. Extension and Advisory personnel should each adopt a school for the purpose of school gardens project support, MEC Ndalane indicated in summary.
It was added that enough both human resource and infrastructure would be required. A technical team from the participating departments will do proper planning.