About Us

School Farms Work Toward Food and Nutrition Security, and ATVET Skills Development Through The Education System

Background

Every year, schools in Ghana face a growing burden of supplying highly nutritious, farm-produced crops, fruits and vegetables, for school meals due to inadequate school meals grant and the lack of leadership from school managers to mobilise alternative resources to address the food insecurity and malnutrition among school-aged children in Ghana. This challenge has affected the access to nutritious meals that can improve the health, education, and well-being of school-aged children in Ghana.

According to the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) conducted in 2019, 16% of school-aged children (ages 5-17) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to sufficient and nutritious food on a daily basis. The survey also reveals that food insecurity and malnutrition affect approximately 20% of school-aged children in Ghana, which is more prevalent in rural areas than urban areas. The survey reveals stunting, underweight, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency are all nutrition problems affecting school-aged children in Ghana. The data shows that stunting affects 19% of school-aged children in Ghana. Underweight is more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban areas, affecting 8% of school-aged children in Ghana. The evidence also highlights the emerging issue of overweight, affecting 5% of school-aged children in Ghana, with a higher prevalence in urban areas. Anemia is a major nutrition problem among school-aged children, with 34% of them being anemic, and vitamin A deficiency affecting 15% of them.

Also, the inability of school managers to emphasise creativity, forward-thinking, and a willingness to explore public-private partnerships to solve the problem has slowed progress in complementing the Government of Ghana’s efforts.

In conclusion, the unavailability of effective interventions to improve access to sufficient and nutritious foods, and promote healthy food choices and preparation practices have further worsened the problem of food insecurity and malnutrition among Ghana’s school-aged children, particularly in rural areas.

Schools

From 2014-2023, Across 4 Regions

Students

0 +

From 2014-2023, Across 4 Regions

Reduction

0 %

On average, there has been a 40% reduction in the school meals budget of our partner schools.

Our Concept

How School Farms Works

School Farms explores the interconnection between education, nutrition, and skills development by working to improve access to all. We work toward food and nutrition security, and ATVET skills development through the education system in order to enrich the future of agriculture in Ghana.

By providing hands-on agricultural skills training to students at rural schools in Ghana, School Farms is not only able to enrich the educational experience of students but allow them to contribute to their school’s meal programme.

In this way, the produce harvested from school farm is then consumed by the students to improve the quantity and quality of foods provided.

Key Stakeholders

The School

The school will host the project and lead the implementation of the project.

Local MOFA

The local Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) provides free Agriculture extension services, technical assistance and access to subsidise seeds and agricultural inputs.

THE PTA

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) provides local support for the project, aid in planning and volunteer for communal work.

THE COMMUNITY

The host community provides litigation free land, supply of cost-effective manual labor, traditional support in planning and implementation.

THE GES

The Ghana Education Service (GES) Provides support with school selection and curriculum development

THE GSFP

The Ghana School Feeding Programme provides technical support.

Target Group

Primary School (Play & Learn)

By playing, children acquire interpersonal and team building skills, along with the confidence to learn about healthy food.

Junior High School (Learn & Eat)

Students learn how to grow staple crops, vegetables, and fruits. They learn about new healthy foods and ways that they can be prepared.

Senior High School (Learn & Eat)

Develop agriculture vocational skills by growing staple crops, vegetables and fruits. Recognise healthy foods and preparation practices.