FROM SEEDS TO SCHOOL MEALS: CLIMATE-SMART SCHOOL GARDENS TAKING ROOT IN CHOMA.

In May Ubunthu Enablers officially launched the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Farming as a Business (FaaB) School Garden Project in Choma District. The initiative being implemented in collaboration with the Choma District Education Board Secretary’s Office, aims to equip learners with practical skills in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) while promoting sustainable food production and farming as a business.

Since the launch four months ago, the school gardens have continued to grow and are now producing a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes and other fresh crops. What began as demonstration and learning gardens is increasingly becoming a source of food for learners, with some schools already harvesting and using the produce to complement the Government’s school feeding programme. This is a significant milestone in demonstrating how school gardens can contribute to food security while strengthening practical agricultural education.

The impact of the gardens goes beyond providing food. Pupils are also using vegetables harvested from the gardens during Home Economics lessons and practical cooking classes. This gives learners an opportunity to connect what they learn in the classroom with real life experiences from growing and harvesting food to understanding nutrition and preparing meals.

The project is also helping young people develop practical knowledge in conservation farming, efficient water use, soil management and climate resilient agricultural practices. By incorporating the Farming as a Business component, learners are encouraged to view agriculture not only as a source of food but also as an opportunity for entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable livelihoods.

The progress made in four months after the launch demonstrates that a school garden can be much more than a piece of cultivated land. It can become a source of nutritious food, a living classroom and a platform for Climate Smart learning and practical skills development. As the gardens continue to expand and produce, Ubunthu Enablers is working towards nurturing a generation of young people who can contribute to food security, sustainable agriculture and more resilient communities in Choma District.

The project is currently being implemented in five schools; Chilalantambo, Maanda, Mangunza, Singani West, and Siachidinta Secondary Schools while also engaging rural communities through awareness and capacity building activities. These activities focus on El Niño preparedness, helping farmers understand how to prepare for changing weather conditions, and increasing awareness of the effects of climate change on agriculture and household food security. The project further promotes practical Climate Smart Agricultural practices that enable farmers and communities to adapt to climate related challenges and strengthen their resilience.