Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo has launched the organic garden competition in secondary schools in the state.
Addressing Healthy Living teacher ambassadors in Awka on Saturday, Soludo’s wife said the project was targeted at encouraging children to learn more about food and farming.
She described organic farming as process involving the use of natural food sources and nutrients for farming practices without fertilizer or other chemicals.
She further added that the competition would assist teach children importance of food and farming and their impacts on their lives.
She said, “This competition is part of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo campaign to achieve a culture of health consciousness, drive organic agriculture with emphasis on food safety and sustainable living.
“It will help our students learn valuable lessons about where their food comes from, the benefits of eating fresh and healthy foods, and how to care for the environment.
“Vegetable seeds will be distributed to schools and at the end of every term, schools with the three best gardens will be rewarded.
“Our children at a tender age will start to appreciate agriculture as an essential way of life and the need to be part of building solutions that foster healthy foods in the society.”
Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said the schools garden competition would increase student’s knowledge on foods’ nutritional value.
Earlier, Chairperson, Post Primary Schools Service Commission Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu said secondary schools students would undergo Health Living lecture every Wednesday after break on how to grow into healthy adults.
Distribution of Okro, carrot, pepper, tomatoes, watermelon and cucumber seeds to the school teachers to commence process of school gardens formed highpoint of the event.
