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Delegates from DARD, photographed with teachers and pupils during the event.

 

Agricultural awareness at Tshiavha School

 

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) hosted an agricultural-awareness day at Tshivha Primary School in Nzhelele last Wednesday.

The event was attended by pupils from the surroundings schools and the region's traditional leaders. According to the organisers, the aim of the event was to inform pupils about the value of agriculture. The pupils were also encouraged to adopt permaculture principles.

The school has adopted a permaculture system in its garden in an attempt to fight the drought. An agricultural advisor, Ms Rudzani Mulaudzi, said that the use of permaculture "guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we can find in nature and can be applied to all aspects of human habitation". She emphasised that young pupils should be taught the importance of agriculture.

A teacher from Tshiavha, Mr David Kwinda, said that they started planting vegetables at the school earlier this year. He also said that they practised conservation agriculture, crop rotation and mulching. “We practise the use of mulch because we want to conserve moisture, improve the fertility and health of the soil, reduce weed growth and enhance the visual appeal of the area,” he said. He also mentioned that they had planted indigenous plants and ornamental flowers to prevent insects from destroying the vegetables. The pupils were also taught about the importance of insects and how they improve soil fertility.

The circuit manager of Nzhelele East, Mr David Ramutsheli, said the school felt very honoured to host this kind of awareness drive and appreciated the good work that DARD was doing for the school. “This awareness will instil agricultural knowledge in our pupils and also educate them about the importance of permaculture gardens,” he said.

Mr Calvin Rannenyeni from DARD said that the department acknowledged the dedication that the school was showing towards agriculture. “Working together with the pupils, we can achieve more in the quest to fight against drought and climate change,” said Rannenyeni.

Photographed during the awareness day: In the front is Ms Nnyambeni Nemafhohoni and at the back, from left to right, are Messrs Jeremiah Thekhwe, Aifheli Vele, Frederick Netshisumbewa and Ms Rudzani Mulaudzi.

 

 

 

Date:26 May 2016

By: Mbulaheni Ridovhona

The 22-year-old Mbulaheni (Gary) Ridovhona has been passionate about journalism to the extent that he would buy himself a copy of weekly Univen students' newsletter, Our Voice. After reading, he would write stories about his rural village, Mamvuka, and submit them to the very newsletter for publication. His deep-rooted love for words and writing saw him register for a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies at the University of Venda, and joined the Limpopo Mirror team in February 2016 as a journalism intern.

Read: 1949

 

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