The International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) has launched a school vegetable gardening initiative in 10 secondary schools across Enugu State as part of efforts to promote healthy nutrition and agricultural education among students.
The programme, unveiled at Girls Secondary School, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, covers 10 schools selected from five participating local government areas—Udenu, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu East, Enugu East and Aninri.
Speaking at the launch, IFAD-VCDP Nutrition Officer, Promise Ezeah, said the initiative is designed to equip students with practical knowledge of vegetable production, nutrition, food hygiene and healthy eating habits through school-based nutrition clubs.
According to her, each club will consist of about 50 students who will cultivate vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, peppers, pumpkins and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, while also learning record-keeping and agronomic practices to ensure the project’s sustainability.
Ezeah noted that the vegetables will be grown using organic manure rather than chemical fertilisers and expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would be transferred to families and communities, helping to improve household nutrition.
She added that the programme aims to become self-sustaining through seed preservation and income generated from the sale of harvested produce.
Education stakeholders who attended the launch described the initiative as timely, noting that it would encourage healthier diets, strengthen students’ interest in agriculture and contribute to long-term food security.
IFAD-VCDP officials, agricultural officers and school authorities are expected to monitor the implementation of the project to ensure its success across the participating schools.
