{
  "id": 14434918,
  "title": "Vettikavala schools teach farming through ‘Harithasree’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/vettikavala-schools-teach-farming-through-harithasree",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T11:23:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/vettikavala-schools-teach-farming-through-harithasree/article71583296.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Vettikavala block panchayat is set to introduce practical farming lessons to students by converting school campuses into thriving vegetable gardens, as part of the ‘Harithasree’ initiative. This project aims to spark children's interest in farming, promote organic agriculture, and establish vegetable gardens in schools. In addition to teaching hands-on farming skills, the initiative seeks to fulfill school mid-day meal vegetable requirements by utilizing locally grown produce. The initiative has been successfully implemented with funding from the 2026-27 development fund. High-yielding hybrid seedlings of six vegetables – tomato, lady’s finger, green chilli, brinjal, cabbage, and cauliflower – along with organic fertilizers have been distributed to participating schools. So far, 28,000 vegetable saplings have been distributed to 56 selected schools across six grama panchayats within the block's jurisdiction. Each selected school receives a minimum of 450 seedlings, with some larger campuses receiving up to 600 seedlings based on available land and facilities. People’s representatives from respective block divisions conduct regular inspections to ensure proper garden maintenance. Block panchayat president Bindu Lakshmi emphasized the importance of connecting children with nature and soil, making agriculture an experiential part of their daily lives. Plans are in place to expand the project to additional schools in the region in the future.",
  "summary": "The project aims to foster an interest in farming among children, promote organic agriculture, and set up vegetable gardens across schools.",
  "key_points": [
    "Vettikavala schools convert campuses into vegetable gardens via 'Harithasree' initiative",
    "Students learn practical farming skills and organic agriculture",
    "28,000 saplings distributed to 56 schools for mid-day meals"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}