Mangaluru: Part of school ground is now a paddy field

MANGALURU: To introduce the concept of agriculture to students, the school development and monitoring committee (SDMC) of Karnataka Public School (KPS) at Kumbra in Puttur taluk has converted the school ground into a paddy field.
Nithish Kumar Shantivana, working president, SDMC, told TOI that the idea was discussed at a meeting held in May and implemented in June.
The conversion of a portion of land into an agricultural field is in sync with district minister Kota Shrinivas Poojari’s call to develop fallow land.
MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor, who is also president of the school, has taken keen interest in the initiative which has been undertaken with the support of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP).
“The school property is spread over five acres of which 1.5 acres is reserved for a playground. The management had been wanting to develop a paddy field so that children have a better understanding of the subject, as there is a demand to include agriculture as part of the curriculum. The land was levelled and ploughed early this month,” Nithish said.
About 30kg paddy seedlings procured from a farmer have been put in trays and placed on the terraces of the homes of Umesh of SKDRDP and Nithish. After about 18 days, transplantation will take place.
“Due to the pandemic, students are not part of this project. About 10 locals are working every day. If this project is a success, a decision will be taken in consultation with the MLA and staff members if it should be continued. The school has 500 students, from LKG to class 12. Children will not be deprived of a playground as there is an alternate one,” he said .