Dubai pupils show the way with sustainable farming
Children in Dubai may hold the key to a more sustainable future in the UAE as they prepare to reap the fruits of an organic farming programme.
The project, launched a few months ago by The Arbor School, will mark World Environment Day on Friday.
It encourages children to consider the value of home-grown and locally sourced produ ce, rather than imported food.
Fruit and vegetables are grown by pupils in a huge greenhouse on an eco-farm in the school grounds to teach the ecological processes involved in food production.
“The concept here is to go beyond a standard science lesson, allow the children to get their hands into the soil, really get back to nature and understand how their food is produced,” said Brett Girven, the school principal.
“It also allows us to connect with our community once we produce the food, placing it in our cafeteria, and then beyond that into composting.
“We want to ensure we are creating a permaculture model, which is sustainable and doesn’t pump chemicals back into the system.”
The Arbor School, an ecological school in Al Furjan, launched the project in partnership with Emirates Bio Farm, the UAE’s largest private organic farm.
Farmers worked with school gardeners and ecologists to maximise food production in an energy-efficient, organic greenhouse alongside the school’s three larger biodomes.
The greenhouse contains the school’s first crop of organic fruit and vegetables, which were planted by the children. By December, more than half a tonne of produce will be harvested and shared with the community. Some of it is expected to go on display at the school harvest fair.
Growing in the greenhouse are cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, aubergines and grapes, while in the biodomes, a selection of herbs grow next to tropical fruits including pineapples, lemons and jackfruit.
“We aim to teach children to question their impact on the planet and to assume responsibility as stewards of the future,” Mr Girven said. “Environmental justice means ensuring that we have enough for all, for ever.”