Agriculture, the backbone of many countries, has seen immense growth and advancement following the Green Revolution. As a result of it, endeavours for innovative and efficient farming are witnessed in innumerable regions around the globe.
On 1st February 2017, students of classes 8 and 9 of our School engaged in a video conference with a Kenyan organisation. Mitahato Education and Development Fund is a community-based organisation in Kenya which tries to empower farmers with knowledge and training to help them make more informed farming decisions. We spoke to Mr. Barasa Emanuel, one of the members of this group, who briefed us about the organisation and explained how they at MEDF, are striving to develop an economic farming model that is able to provide for and nurture a small village. Because malnutrition and starvation are some of the common problems faced by communities there, Mr. Emanuel and his team have designed a greenhouse where various crops and plants are grown. Some of the crops shown to us were kartee- a type of spinach, bananas, strawberries, African Guinea potatoes and green tomatoes which grow on trees! He told us about animals reared there, ranging from chicken and goats to rabbits and fish.
[gallery link="file"]After this unique farm experience, it was time for a question and answer session. Students came up with interesting questions about the kind of irrigation systems involved, the climatic conditions in the country and how the government was promoting this new initiative. Mr. Emanuel replied to each query and told the listeners about the tropical climatic conditions there and how the local mayor worked for and funded the innovative ideas of this team.
Towards the end, we learnt a few words and expressions in Swahili, to our great delight. We all wished Mr. Emanuel a 'Ujambo' or Good morning and soon after, as the session come to an end, we bid him goodbye or as they say in Swahili - Waheri!
Gauri Awasthi, IX-D.
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