Farming is considered as a culture in India and not just some business. Hence it is rightfully called Agriculture and not Agribusiness. Adhering to this philosophy, one of the many activities of nonconventional education for the children of the Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre (DCSDC) is its Micro Cultivation Programme or kitchen garden.
DCSDC is one amongst the five child centres of the Diocesan Women's Fellowship for Christian Services (DWFCS), Diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India, functioning under the able leadership of Mrs Rita Dutta. These centres impart education to the children of the deprived sections of our society in this socially imbalanced and economically unstable region of the state of West Bengal in Eastern India.
Photo Credit: Diocese of Durgapur
Under this Micro Cultivation Programme children are taught about Farming and Agriculture. Many seasonal vegetables and mustard are cultivated within St Michael's Church Compound, where nearly an acre of land has been dedicated for this Programme. Cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, tomato and potato are some of the vegetables cultivated here. Potatoes are usually reserved for traditional vegetable gardens. Although it's possible, they are generally not grown in containers. Potatoes come in a wide range of sizes and varieties. They are usually ready for harvest in 90-125 days after planting. This year in February a record breaking 250 kilograms of potatoes have been cultivated.
This yield will be used throughout the year to feed the hostel students. This experience has filled the children of the centre with enthusiasm, and they are encouraged to participate more in farming.
An amazing accomplishment of hard work by the little children, which inculcates in them a feeling of self-reliance.
Article By Sagar Hansda, Diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India