No tension about lunch money; Agriculture also an activity in Ramapuram school

KOTTAYAM: Academics are not the only things that Ramapuram School focus on. Paddy, corn, bitter melon, beans and cauliflower are all subjects here. Non-toxic regional dishes are served for lunch at Ramapuram SHLP School. Headmistress Lisa Mathew is tension-free, as there is no worry about not having money for lunch.

It is the students who are planting and maintaining 61 varieties of vegetables in the school premises. These have been used for lunch for four years. The idea of ​​non-toxic vegetables in the school premises was started in 2021. The forested area was cleared. Bitter melon, beans, Snake gourds and bananas were planted first. The PTA also got excited when the children started farming in their free time. That's how yams, beans, tomatoes and kappa were grown. There was variety in the curries here even before the government revised the menu.

Farming on one acre, benefits beyond measure

The farm is on one acre in the school premises. The agricultural club is responsible for its maintenance. The panchayat is helping to provide seeds and seedlings. Seeds will be purchased from the seed centre in Nadukkara. The children will take the vegetables home. The school also provides vegetables to the Karunya Charitable Trust, which distributes midday meals at the Pala Government Hospital. The children are currently excited about the third phase of farming, which includes cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber and watermelon. Maintenance begins after 4 pm. 165 students are involved in farming at various times.