Govt school generates income through farming

Mangaluru: The Government Higher Primary School in Kadeshwalya in Bantwal taluk has started generating income through farming. The school staff planted 60 areca trees four years ago, which are now yielding arecanuts. Fruits and medicinal plants have also been planted on the campus, that generate additional income for the school.
The school is situated in a remote village in Bantwal, about 25 km from here. Its campus is spread over an acre. Due to the efforts of its teacher Bhaskar Naik M, the students actively participate in farming on campus.
Half of the campus is covered with areca and fruit-yielding trees. Close to 150 varieties of trees, including medicinal plants, can be found on the school campus. Four years ago,class VII students had planted about 60 areca trees. “I am happy to say that this year they has started to yield arecanuts and we expect a good income,’’ said Bhaskar, a physical education teacher. He has been serving in the institution for the past three decades.
Bhaskar added that his efforts have brought laurels to the school, as it has bagged the Green School Award or Hasiru Parisara Mitra Shale more than five times in the district. Farming activities are looked after by the students. The school has about 227 students studying from LKG to class VII. The profit earned from farming is utilised for school activities and for the development of the institution.
Before the pandemic, the school campus used to grow vegetables, which were used for the midday meal programme. However, the land was lying unused due to the closure of schools owing to Covid-19. “The work done by Bhaskar is an inspiration for all of us, including the children, who love the environment and contribute towards preserving nature. He has turned our campus green. It has encouraged us to plant saplings and look after them,”said headmistress Umavathi N. The school has been there for 85 years. Umavathi said that most of the school infrastructure has got dilapidated, and that there is a need for a new building.