Nutritional gardens bring students closer to nature

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 20

Following directions of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, nutritional gardens are being developed in the government and aided schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The Youth and Eco Clubs have been formed in the schools, which would plant herbs, fruits and vegetables and take care of the gardens. The produce would be used in preparation of mid-day meal.

“We have started a nutritional garden at our school. Students are involved to give them the first hand experience. Vegetables and fruits grown here are consumed under mid-day meal,” said Sanjeev Thapar, Principal, Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Punjab Agricultural University.

Kiran Gupta, a science teacher said they were growing vegetables, fruits and all types of medical plants in the nutritional garden. Students help in maintaining the garden.

Under a flexi-fund component for innovative interventions in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, an amount of Rs 5,000 per school can be utilised for purchasing seeds, equipment and compost on a sharing basis between state, centre and union territories. States can further get in touch with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Food and Nutrition Board and Agriculture Universities, among others, for setting up nutritional gardens.