By V. Sivaji

The proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” is most apt description of the task undertaken by Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) recent venture to teach school children on farming.

Participants in the venture were mainly primary school children from SK Tanjung Tokong

On hand to teach the finer points of organic farming was CAP education officer N. V. Subbarow and Wonder Wilderfarm farm Relau operator, Alicia Koh.

Besides discovering the making of organic fertilisers from livestock manure and the benefits of gardening, the students were also taught to differentiate greens by taste and appearance.

The event also brought the children closer to nature with hands-on experience on gardening and interesting facts about assorted leafy vegetables.

The aspiring urban gardeners were given the opportunity to tend to some raised vegetable beds in the farm.
The students did not seem to be bothered with getting their dirty hands from the organic fertilisers and earth soil as they did the weeding and fertilising with much fun.

Accompanying the children was teacher R. Alil Subagary, who added that the school students were lucky to be selected as participants for this programme.

“Most youngsters are so fixated on smartphones nowadays and an outdoor classroom such as this activity is definitely a good way to expose them to Mother Nature.

The participants were later provided with refreshments at the end of the session.

E&O started the Think Green programme back in 2013 and continues to work closely with CAP and schools in the vicinity of Seri Tanjung Pinang, namely SK Tanjung Tokong, SJK(C) Hun Bin, SJK (T) Azad, Tadis Ar-Rasyidin, SMK Tanjung Bungah and later with SK Pendidikan Khas Persekutuan Pulau Pinang and SK Convent Pulau Tikus.