The Climate-Smart Agriculture Nursery commissioned and handed over to Immaculate Conception Secondary School in Solevu, Bua, will provide students with a unique opportunity to put classroom learning into practice.
While handing over the nursery on Wednesday, the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Hon. Tomasi Tunabuna, explained that Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), or climate-resilient agriculture, is a set of farming methods with three main objectives in addressing climate change.
“CSA uses adaptation methods to respond to the effects of climate change on agriculture. It aims to increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security for a growing population. Thirdly, it seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture as much as possible,” said Minister Tunabuna.
“Climate-smart agriculture is an integrated approach to land management. It helps farmers adapt their livestock and crop production to the realities of climate change,” he added.
He also highlighted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways is partnering with the Ministry of Education to promote beneficial agricultural practices from as early as childhood.
“This is to ensure that our children eat healthy, homegrown food from their own gardens. This nursery was carefully planned and designed by our ministry officers, with construction expertise provided by a local company in Labasa. It has been built to promote climate resilience and to enable year-round vegetable production,” Hon. Tunabuna said.
He also revealed that the total cost of the nursery was $9,000, covering both labour and materials, and commended the school’s agriculture teacher and students for successfully managing the first planting and harvesting.
“Records show that students have already harvested Chinese cabbage, dhania, beans, okra, and tomatoes, earning $309. More importantly, more than half of the harvest has been used in your hostel,” said Hon. Tunabuna.
Hon. Tunabuna encouraged students and teachers to continue with their farming initiatives and to replicate similar projects in their own homes.
Agricultural Science teacher, Ms Kritika Singh thanked the Ministry for its timely support, noting that the nursery, along with the seeds, manure, and compost bins provided, has become more than just a facility.
“It nurtures not only plants but also the future of our students, preparing them to be innovative, resilient, and responsible citizens,” she said.
Staff of the Land Resources and Planning Development Division of the Ministry played a key role in the construction and establishment of the nursery and will continue to collaborate with schools across Fiji to set up similar nurseries that benefit both teachers and students.