Students of the Mocho Primary School in Clarendon perform a cultural item at the relaunch of the National School Garden Programme last Friday at the institution. The Government has relaunched the National School Garden Programme to boost the provision of breakfast in educational institutions across the island and demonstrate the importance of agriculture to students. Under the programme, the schools will be provided with seeds, fertiliser, agricultural tools and irrigation systems. Addressing last Friday’s function, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries JC Hutchinson said the programme is intended to “teach the young students that agriculture is good, it is important, and it is one where you can make money”.

He said that each garden will cost about $300,000 to develop and the ministry will be working with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority to ensure the sustainability of the programme. Some 196 schools have been selected for the first phase of the programme.

Meanwhile, Newport Fersan will be adopting 13 school gardens and providing nutrient management. The fertiliser manufacturer and supplier will also provide more than $2 million for a school garden competition that the ministry will be organising.