In many public elementary schools in Benin and Ghana, improving the quality of meals served in school canteens remains a significant challenge. Limited access to fresh and nutritious produce hampers efforts to provide balanced diets for children, while opportunities for hands-on, practical education in agriculture and sustainability are often underutilized. Moreover, there is a pressing need to engage local communities in food production to enhance food security and foster a sense of ownership over school-based initiatives.
Key Findings
The Healthy Food Africa project has implemented school garden initiatives in Benin and Ghana to address these challenges. These gardens aim to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for school canteens, improving the nutritional quality of meals while serving as educational spaces where students learn about sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. By involving the entire community – students, parents, teachers, and local experts – the project ensures the long-term viability of the gardens and strengthens local food systems.
The initiative follows a participatory approach, where stakeholders collaborate on garden design, management, and implementation. Schools are selected based on specific criteria, such as access to arable land, reliable water sources, and community motivation. Awareness-raising sessions are conducted to inform stakeholders of their roles and responsibilities, and garden management committees are established, comprising community volunteers trained in agricultural techniques.
The gardens focus on organic practices, avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Students are involved in daily activities such as planting, watering, and composting, learning about sustainable farming methods and the importance of biodiversity. The gardens also include training modules on compost production and the use of natural pest control methods, fostering environmental awareness from a young age.
Benefits and Impact
School gardens serve as multi-functional spaces that enhance education, nutrition, and community engagement. Fresh produce from the gardens improves the quality of meals in school canteens, contributing to better health and nutrition among students. The initiative also builds agricultural skills and environmental awareness, empowering students to become advocates for sustainability.
The school gardens also function as living classrooms, where students apply scientific concepts like plant growth and nutrient cycles in practical settings. The focus on organic farming not only protects the environment but also provides an excellent opportunity to educate children about the importance of ecological balance and resource management.
Community involvement is a cornerstone of the project. By mobilizing parents, teachers, and local experts, the gardens foster social cohesion and shared responsibility, ensuring their sustainability. The gardens also contribute to local food security, reducing dependency on external food supplies and promoting self-sufficiency.
Practical Recommendations
- Expanding School Gardens: We recommend extending our successful school garden approach to additional schools and communities. Allocating sufficient funds and providing necessary equipment will be essential to promote the spread and ensure the sustainability of school gardens.
- Integrating Gardening and Nutrition Education into School Curricula:
It is crucial to incorporate garden-based and nutrition education into the school curriculum. This integration will enhance the knowledge and technical skills of students and teachers, fostering a deeper understanding of the value of school gardening through the teaching-learning process. - School Selection: Choose schools with sufficient arable land, reliable water access, and secure facilities to protect crops. Community motivation and prior gardening initiatives are strong indicators of success.
- Community Mobilization: Organize awareness sessions to engage all stakeholders and establish a garden management committee. This committee should include volunteers with knowledge of agriculture and clear roles for managing equipment, coordinating maintenance, and organizing harvests.
- Garden Implementation: Use a participatory approach to select crops based on nutritional and agronomic value and local preferences. Emphasize organic methods such as composting and biological pest control. Provide training for students and community members on sustainable practices.
- Maintenance and Sustainability: Ensure regular watering, weeding, and organic fertilization of crops. Consider incentive mechanisms, such as sharing a portion of the harvest, to motivate volunteers.
Contact Information
Sam Bodjrenou, Eddy Alladahouinnon, Atmoning Victor Yakubu, Adam Nashiru
Food System Lab Tamale, Ghana
Food System Lab Cotonou, Benin