Mentoring Program

The School Agriculture Program (SAP) is an important initiative introduced in schools with the aim of instilling a sense of dignity of labour in students. Through practical engagement in various agricultural activities, the program seeks to develop students’ skills in organic farming, combining traditional and innovative practices, and integrated farming techniques.

The main objectives of the SAP are to equip students with basic agricultural skills as part of their practical education, promote food sustainability, and foster a self-reliant school environment. The program also aims to encourage collaboration and teamwork among students while instilling a strong sense of togetherness. Furthermore, it strives to instill dignity of labour by involving students in hands-on activities such as poultry, aquaculture, piggery, and vegetable cultivation.

The SAP is implemented through mentoring groups, where each group is assigned a specific plot of land to cultivate. This initiative was started and coordinated by the SAP Coordinator, Mr. Nima.

Our mentoring group was assigned Plot No. 31. We began the program by clearing the plot of stones and preparing the area for bed-making. With the assistance of SAP Coordinator Mr. Nima and Awe Kinzang, the field was ploughed effectively. We then prepared seven beds which were made ready for sowing.

In the following weeks, we sowed a variety of seeds including beans, spinach and chili. After three weeks, the seeds germinated and were ready for transplanting. Under the coordination of Younten Thie, we carried out the transplantation process successfully. Since then, we have been visiting the plot regularly on a weekly basis to carry out weeding and maintenance tasks.

The program is currently progressing well. The school management is actively involved in monitoring and assessing the development of each mentoring group’s plot. This ongoing assessment helps ensure accountability and encourages students to stay committed to their responsibilities.

The SAP has been a meaningful and productive initiative that not only teaches practical agricultural skills but also fosters values such as responsibility, collaboration, and respect for manual work. Our group remains dedicated to the successful growth and harvest of our crops, and we look forward to contributing to a sustainable and self-reliant school environment.

Our mentoring group, led by Mr. Youthen Thie, actively participated in fencing the SAP Garden. All the boys worked with dedication, and their effort has not only enhanced the garden’s appearance but also clearly demarcated boundaries from neighboring plots. More importantly, the fencing serves as a protective measure in case wild animals visit the area with the potential to cause damage.This initiative instilled in the mentees a sense of responsibility and belonging, as they took pride in contributing to the school's agricultural space.

We are especially grateful to SAP Coordinator Mr. Nima and the school administration for providing a bag of manure, which is essential for healthy plant growth and promoting organic farming. The mentees, some of whom were handling manure for the first time, learned valuable lessons in sustainable agriculture. They enthusiastically spread the manure across the garden beds, making it a productive and educational experience for everyone involved.

From our ongoing observation, the SAP Garden is showing signs of healthy and fresh growth. It appears to be on track for a good harvest. I have instructed our SAP lead focal person, Mr. Youthen Thie, to monitor the yield and ensure the harvested produce is delivered to the school mess for sale. We are hopeful that the SAP program will continue to thrive and serve as a meaningful learning platform for our students.

The SAP (School Agriculture Programmes) production for Term I was relatively limited for our mentees. Several factors may have contributed to this low yield. Among them were poor soil fertility, irregular monitoring , and other environmental or management-related challenges. These limitations have highlighted the need for a more strategic and focused approach moving forward.

As we transition into Term II, our goal is to address these identified challenges systematically. By improving soil quality, ensuring regular crop monitoring, and implementing better management practices, we aim to enhance productivity. Learning from the shortcomings of the first term will allow us to make informed decisions and uplift the overall performance of the farming activities.

Despite the limited yield, Term I offered valuable learning experiences for our students. They engaged in essential farming processes such as preparing the seedbed, sowing, transplanting, and nurturing to maturity. These hands-on activities deepened their understanding of agricultural practices and instilled a sense of responsibility and teamwork.

A key takeaway from Term I is the importance of timing in farming. Performing each activity at the right stage greatly influences production outcomes. Going forward, we will emphasize timely execution of farming tasks while applying the lessons learned to ensure a more successful and productive Term II.