Kitchen Garden Scheme, Odisha

Odisha government is about to launch Kitchen Garden Scheme in schools across the state under Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme. Information about the scheme was given by the state nodal officer MDM, Mr. Gangadhar Sahu. Under the scheme schools with proper water facilities and boundary walls, are asked to plant all season fruit bearing trees and seasonal vegetables as well as set up a nutritional garden in schools. This scheme aims to involve all the school students in small plantations, watering etc and thereby will also reduce expenses incurred by the school for mid-day meal. Under the scheme, the state government will provide Rs. 5,000 each to about 43,000 schools in the state.

Scheme Overview:

Scheme lunched by Odisha Government

Scheme Objectives and Benefits:

• The main objective of the scheme is to involve students in basic plantation activities in school
• It also aims to reduce the expenses incurred by the schools in buying vegetables and essentials from local markets for mid-day meals
• Financial assistance of Rs. 5,000/- for implementation is provided to about 43,000 schools under the scheme
• Horticulture department of the state will assist the schools with technical details for setting up kitchen garden
• The department will also provide requisite kits to the school authorities

Key Points:

• Kitchen Garden scheme is about to be implemented in Odisha state under the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme
• Financial assistance of Rs. 5000 each will be provided to 43000 beneficiary schools to take up the scheme implementation
• Schools with proper water facilities and boundary walls will be eligible to take up the scheme
• Under the scheme schools are asked to plant all season fruit bearing like lemon, papaya and drumstick
• Long term fruit bearing plants like jackfruit are also to be planted during monsoon season
• Seasonal vegetables are to be planted and Nutritional gardens are to be set up under the scheme
• Horticulture department of the state will provide requisite kits to the schools as well as help with the technical things in the scheme implementation
• A committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the District Collector to keep a check on the scheme implementation in schools
• Some schools in Malkangiri and Kandhamal, Keonjhar districts produced huge quantities of pumpkins and tomatoes respectively, much before the launch of this scheme
• The launch of Kitchen Garden scheme is delayed due to the pandemic situations all over, thus the schools will take up the scheme once out of this situation