Former child workers ensure food security through sustainable farming

A small-scale kitchen garden initiative, started by rescued child workers engaged in mining and other allied industries, soon transformed into a motivating case of sustainable farming. The boys and girls of the bridge school of SEEDS and Don Bosco today grow their own vegetables and fruits ensuring sustainable and within-reach food security.

Two years ago, the children were facilitated to develop a kitchen garden on the premises of the bridge school at a very micro level. Within a year the students of Don Bosco bridge school raised a kitchen garden in half an acre of land, while the children in SEEDS residential bridge school developed a terrace kitchen garden. With the help of training from soil management and organic farming experts, the children learnt new techniques of farming and cultivation. Only organic manure and pest repellents were used even during the challenging times of scanty rainfall. This organic raising led to a generous produce and the little hands were able to harvest nearly Rs. 8,160 worth of vegetables and fruits.

This success story has been shared with the community members and now is the model of food security. It is replicated in the Government Anganwadi Centres (Integrated Child Development centres). Supplementary education centres and school students & women of Self Help Groups have been reached through the project. Nearly 1060 children in Anganwadi, 157 school students and 57 women are able to access healthy food through this initiative.