P'thitta tribal school sets up first-of-its-kind terrace farming for midday meals

AT a time when farmers suffer huge losses due to wildlife menace, a school aimed at uplifting the tribal children near the Sabarimala forests, is experimenting with large-scale terrace farming, one of the several initiatives it has taken towards self-sustenance in the hilly hamlet.

- JAISON WILSON @ Pathanamthitta

The first-of-its-kind initiative in a school in the state, the idea of terrace farming to produce vegetables for the school's midday meals struck headmaster Biju Thomas Amboori as there was a lot of space on the rooftop of the two-storey building of the school.

Along with teachers—B Abhilash, K M Subeesh, Asha Nandhan, and Amitha S, he started agricultural work during free hours.

Not merely an educational institution, the Government Tribal School, Attathodu, is also a lifesaver for the children living in poverty and poor social circumstances in their tribal settlements bordering the jungle. A total of 55 pupils from pre-primary to 4th standard are studying in the centre of learning, situated around 45 km from Pathanamthitta town.