Climate Smart Agriculture & Farming as a Business School Garden Project in Choma Transforming Schools into Hubs of Innovation, Food Security and Learning.

Ubunthu has concluded the first round and project introduction trainings of the Climate Smart Agriculture and Farming as a Business (CSA/FaaB) School Garden Project in Choma District.

The project is being implemented in 5 schools: Mangunza, Maanda, Chilalantambo , Singani West Secondary, and Siachidinta Primary School bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 549 in agriculture classes that are participation in the trainings. Including 40 PTC members.

These schools will act as implementation hubs, demonstrating how climate-smart agriculture can be embedded within school environments to support both learning and community resilience. Activities Completed So far in a bid to expedite the project and avoid disrupting school calendars, Ubunthu ensured all initial activities were completed before end of term two exams began.

The following has been achieved: School garden preparations were completed and all Schools were trained on school garden management, with a focus on climate-smart practices that conserve water, improve soil health, and increase yields.

Seeds were delivered to all 5 schools and planting has already been done in at least 3 schools. The response from pupils has been overwhelming.

Learners were very delighted and eager to learn about CSA and Farming as a Business. For many, it was their first practical exposure to agriculture as both a science and an enterprise.

Community and Stakeholder Support One of the most outstanding moments during the trainings was the participation of Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) members. After attending the sessions, PTC members applauded Ubunthu for the initiative and its practical approach.

 The PTC Chairperson Mweemba Siangwelele further requested that Ubunthu allow interested community members to also attend the school trainings, highlighting the demand for climate-smart knowledge beyond the classroom.

Building Capacity for Sustainability With the project now in the implementation stage, attention turns to capacity building. Lead teachers from the selected schools will undergo specialized training in climate-smart agriculture practices aligned with the national education curriculum. By emphasizing “farming as a business,” the project is equipping learners with entrepreneurial skills, sustainability awareness, and practical competencies that prepare them for real-world challenges.

The goal is to integrate CSA/FaaB into structured learning, combining classroom knowledge with hands-on experience in the school gardens.

The Road Ahead Ubunthu intends to continue conducting trainings when schools reopen for the next term. The introduction of the trainings in schools has been a success, and Ubunthu will continue working together with school managements, the DEBS office, traditional leadership, and agriculture experts in the area.

The vision is to transform schools into centers of innovation, food security, and environmental stewardship. This is not just an expansion but a model for how Public-Private Partnerships can drive meaningful change in education and agriculture, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to farm smarter, build businesses, and lead their communities toward a more resilient future.

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