The Minister of Nature is proud to announce an expansion in its Syntropic Agroforestry project. This project involves 13 primary schools, promoting sustainable agriculture and food security among children. Additionally, the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano (IPA) has been included as an additional school to guide teachers on the importance of instilling agricultural values in the next generation through new agroforestry techniques.
The selection of the 13 schools was based on their motivation to participate, available land with access to water and electricity, and their commitment to contributing to the project. The project will commence in 2024 and includes various workshops and tree planting on a Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm. In this regard, parents and community members are invited to lend a hand and contribute to this beautiful project as volunteers.
The Ministry of Nature is collaborating with Santa Rosa and Living Soil, where children will have the opportunity to learn about agroforestry and soil quality improvement and how they can contribute to food security.
Workshops will be conducted for those responsible for maintaining the school gardens, allowing them to learn more about the principles of the technique and guiding schools in the process of planting trees on their grounds, providing them with the necessary materials.
In addition to this, IPA will be involved in training their teachers in agroforestry techniques and introducing sustainability education into their curriculum.
“We are very excited to involve the 13 primary schools and IPA in this project that will have a positive impact on both the youth and our community as a whole,” said Minister Ursell Arends. “For us, this is an opportunity to cultivate not only the land but also knowledge and appreciation for our nature.”
The project is a collaborative effort involving active participation from teachers, students, and volunteers. The Ministry of Nature firmly believes that this collaboration can bring about a significant change to promote sustainable agriculture in Aruba. The project is scheduled to begin in 2024.
