Kudumbashree’s plans to involve differently abled children in a comprehensive agritherapy project named Sanjeevani is taking good shape, says says Haskar K.S., District Programme Manager, Social Development, Malappuram District Mission, Kudumbashree.

The project, which aims at mental and physical development of the mentally challenged children, is being implemented in 144 Buds schools in the State including 31 in Ernakulam, 23 in Thiruvananthapuram, 22 in Malappuram. Nineteen schools in Kozhikode are also part of Sanjeevani.

Organic seeds

As part of the programme, differently abled children will sow organic seeds and nurture them. The project had begun as initiatives of the district missions in Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram and is now being expanded Statewide.

In Malappuram, the project began as Thalir in 15 schools in August last year. This year, it has been scaled up to cover seven more schools. Growbags, compost, and seeds are given to the Buds schools for children to cultivate.

The children plant seeds of lady’s finger, tomato, brinjal, long beans, chilli, and other seeds; water them; remove weeds; and harvest the produce with the support of their teachers, parents, and Kudumbashree’s joint liability groups.

“The project was inspired by the tapioca yield in a few schools. It was then decided to start organic cultivation of other crops as an activity for the children to keep them active, and bring them close to nature,” Mr. Haskar says.

At the Cherukavu Buds school, the Kudumbashree has introduced a form of drip irrigation using PVC pipes that ensures that all the plants are watered using less water and the children are not taxed much either. This year, at Kondotty, they are growing plants in 40 growbags on garden stands besides on a plot of land.

Mr. Haskar says vegetable cultivation is an activity that could be done even at home once the children get a hang of it. Completing various jobs such as watering plants or removing weeds helps develop their concentration. It could even evolve into a source of livelihood for them in future.

Besides growbag cultivation in Alappuzha, Idukki and Kozhikode, farming is being done by children in two cents or more of land near the Buds schools. In total, 345 cents of land is under vegetable farming.

The maximum area under cultivation is in Kollam-68 cents, Mr. Haskar says. Thrissur followes with 64 cents, while Malappuram has 50 cents.