Learners at Yathrib Primary School in Garissa County have come up with a climate-smart agriculture initiative to combat food insecurity.
The pupils are growing kales under a UK-Tech hub project, which is being implemented by The 4gotten Bottommillions ( 4BM) and M-lugha organisation in partnership with the county government.
On Saturday, parents celebrated a big harvest of kales with more than 2,000 learners.
Yathrib Primary School is the second-largest Primary and Junior Secondary School in Garissa county.
Headteacher Osman Dure highlighted the importance of the project, which he said was piloted at the school to impart modern agricultural skills and boost the school feeding programmes in Asals.
“This project has helped combat food insecurity and impart learners with modern farming skills through smart agriculture. Through mobile technology, learners monitor soil health, crop growth and study weather patterns. This makes them enjoy their practical skills,” he said.
Osman said the garden is under CCTV surveillance. Imran Abdullahi, a Grade 6 pupil, said they enjoyed farming. “
Most of us have been influenced by the project. Today we are enjoying the harvest of kales we have grown. This project has really changed my mindset and perception towards farming. I have found it to be an extremely fulfilling venture,” he said.
“I can tell you for a fact that most pupils here want to put the skills they have gained at home. I will personally do the same.”
Hassan Abdi, another Grade 6 pupil, expressed satisfaction with the project, which he described as an eye-opener.
“As you all know, the community members are pastoralists. We rarely practice crop farming which makes it difficult for us to understand the field. But such skills have made us know better,” he said.
Hassan Mohamed, a parent, said the project will have a big impact on not only the learners but the community.
“The community has already embraced this project. We are ready and willing to try the same in our homesteads and farms,” he said.
Ahmed Yussuf, another parent, said this is the first time he has harvested kales.
“I am not a farmer, we only buy them from the market, our children have proven to be capable of being self-reliant. This is a very big challenge to us as parents and guardians,” he said.
Yusuf called for climate adaptation which includes developing adaptation remedies and undertaking actions in response to current and future climate change impacts.
He said water is a critical factor in food production and the adoption of water management practices, such as rainwater harvesting, can help ensure crops have sufficient water during drought.
