Nurturing Future Farmers through the ECO Project

BREADS Bangalore has launched a new Educate to Cultivate Organic (ECO) project in ten districts of Karnataka- Mysuru, Ramanagara, Bengaluru, Ballari, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Bidar and Yadgir. The project involves the formation of ECO Clubs in five selected government schools, where club members practise organic farming in the school premises after school hours as an additional activity.  In this manner, children are educated about the essentials of agriculture and the conservation of natural resources.

Don Bosco Hospet has formed ECO Clubs in 5 taluks- Hospet, HB Halli, Sandur, Ballari and Kudligi of Ballari district. The new initiative is appreciated by the children and their zeal has resulted in the formation of 25 ECO clubs across the district. The new initiative is realising its objective of nurturing new generations of farmers for sustainable agriculture. With the support of the project staff, teachers, and the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC), children are cultivating organic fruits and vegetables on the school premises to meet the need of their mid-day meals. Club members have planted vegetable seedlings and use their time after school to water and nurture the plants, taking great interest and ownership in maintaining their school garden. Club members also conduct awareness and environmental campaigns in the neighbourhood about the protection of the environment, harmful effects of pesticides and fungicides, and the promotion of organic cultivation. A total of 1250 children from 25 government schools are engaged in these school garden activities.