Press and News Growing the Future: A Hands-On Teacher’s Guide to Reviving Forgotten Crops through Intergenerational Learning
The Alliance and Association Watinoma have developed a teacher's manual as part of the SUSTLIVES project to promote neglected and underutilized food crops. Originally designed for use in Burkina Faso and Niger, the manual can also be adapted for use in other regions.
Raising children's awareness of local food crops - particularly neglected and underutilized species (NUS) - and protecting agrobiodiversity is essential for the future of our food systems and the environment. Local crops are often neglected in favor of commercial varieties, yet they play a crucial role in maintaining healthy diets, supporting local economies and building resilient landscapes in the face of climate change. These crops are well adapted to local climates and ecosystems, making them more sustainable and often more resilient than non-native species.
This manual - developed by the Alliance and Association Watinoma as part of the SUSTLIVES project - serves as a teacher's guide to help primary school pupils appreciate NUS. This educational resource is believed to be the first to establish a methodology for introducing NUS into the classroom to build awareness about protecting agrobiodiversity. It uses a participatory and inclusive approach and offers practical advice to teachers who're interested in engaging children in this topic.
Through the establishment of a school garden and practical activities (including intergenerational learning), children learn how their food choices influence the world around them. By encouraging curiosity and pride in local food traditions, young people can be encouraged to become advocates of sustainable farming practices, safeguarding agrobiodiversity and ensuring that diverse and nutritious crops continue to thrive in their communities.
"I'm ready to start a garden at home, because I've learnt all that I can about sweet potatoes. So, I'm going to take it home and see what happens."Ifan Zeba, 11 years old
Furthermore, school gardens have a ripple effect that extends beyond the classroom, having a positive impact on the children's families and the wider community. When children learn to grow their own food, they often share this knowledge at home, encouraging healthier eating habits and sustainable gardening practices within their families. Parents become more aware of the benefits of fresh, locally grown produce, and some may even set up home allotments. At a community level, school gardens can inspire local food movements, encourage collaboration between neighbors and strengthen links between schools, families and local farmers. Not only do these gardens enable children to learn useful life skills, but they also help to make the community more resilient and aware of the variables of human and environmental health. Although the manual was originally designed to be used in Burkina Faso and Niger, it can also be adapted for other regions.
