The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by seven local primary schools for the school gardening programme hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) reported on in Friday’s paper is encouraging. To effectuate a change of mindset it is best to start at a young age.
The traditional concept of “toiling the land” on a hilly island with sparse affordable freshwater resources for irrigation other than rainfall and under a hot sun is perhaps not the most attractive prospect to many, but times have changed. Agri- and horticulture nowadays are practiced in a variety of ways including hydroponics without the need for soil.
It normally involves getting one’s hands a bit dirty though and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, working with the earth that – after all – enables life can be very spiritually rewarding.
This is especially the case when successful in cultivation efforts. Even people who care for a few potted plants know how good it feels when they do well.
Stimulating the growing of own food is great, both in terms of less dependence on imports from abroad and out of health considerations. This effort is obviously not going to end world hunger or make St. Maarten self-sufficient in that sense any time soon – if ever – but it’s at least a step in the right direction.
That many existing school gardens were severely damaged by Hurricane Irma is regrettable, but offers an opportunity for upgrades and improvements based on past experience. The aim should also be to “build back better” and make them extra storm-resistant where possible.
But more can be done by government and why not use means from the Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund managed by the World Bank? For example, a few countries have promoted vegetable gardening among the population simply by distributing free seedlings, soil and instructions literally door-to-door.
The return on such investments is hard to predict or even measure afterwards, but they can surely help create awareness not only about farming but the environment in general at a time of increasing concern regarding climate change and the future of the planet we all call home. You must start somewhere.
