Dubai schoolchildren grow vegetables for lunch

Young gardeners at a school in Dubai are growing fruit and vegetables to make fresh salads for the canteen. Their farm grows a variety of crops including lettuce, cherry tomatoes, basil and aubergines.

The school has incorporated hydroponic farming into its curriculum, giving students the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables right on campus. The initiative is in line with Dubai’s recently launched national programme, Plant the Emirates, which aims to strengthen the agricultural sector and develop a farming culture among the new generation.

In addition to hydroponics, the school runs three other ‘nature-based activities’: a greenhouse, a garden and bee hives. Bees play an important role in pollination, contributing significantly to plant growth. Pupils have recently collected honey, which has since been shared amongst members of the community.

The link between these facilities and the school canteen plays a very important role. Produce from the greenhouse and garden is used in a variety of ways, especially in the canteen. ‘Our chefs helped the students harvest the produce so it could be chopped into fresh salads,’ said a teacher and science coordinator at the primary schools.

The initiative also promotes a greater understanding of where food comes from. For high school students, lesson topics extend to the areas of sustainability and global impact. Students are also taught about the environmental impacts of food production and transport.

The school’s Entrepreneurs Club got involved by exploring ways to sell the harvested crops. There are plans to organise a farmers’ market where pupils can sell their produce to parents and others, further strengthening the link between education and entrepreneurship.

Source: Khaleej Times