Annual School Farm Camp Empowers Students with Hands-on Agricultural Skills
The annual School Farm Camp at Gayaza High School, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners, has profoundly impacted students and teachers. This five-day residential camp is designed to equip participants with practical agricultural skills and shift their perception of agriculture from a form of punishment to a promising career path.
Since its inception in 2014, the camp has steadily grown, attracting between 500 to 1,000 students from 30 to 50 schools annually. Additionally, 60 to 100 teachers participate, gaining valuable knowledge they can incorporate into their teaching and personal lives.
The camp's primary goal is to ignite interest in agriculture among young people and help them uncover the many opportunities available in the sector. Participants engage in diverse hands-on activities, from dairy management and poultry care to biogas briquette making and agricultural machinery operation. These sessions focus on farming techniques and entrepreneurship, providing students and teachers with the tools to thrive in the farming industry.
Beyond practical skills, the camp educates participants on critical topics such as climate change, employment opportunities in agriculture, nutrition, and resource management. For many, the experience is transformative, sparking a newfound appreciation for agriculture as a viable and rewarding career.
At the conclusion of the 10th annual School Farm Camp, the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Lt. Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama, encouraged students to apply their newly acquired knowledge and become future leaders in sustainable agriculture.
This year’s camp saw 800 attendees, including 600 students and 200 teachers. FAO Representative Dr. Antonio Querido urged participants to take their learnings beyond the camp, saying:
"The skills and knowledge you’ve gained here should drive your own projects and initiatives. By doing so, you contribute to better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and better lives for all."
Robinah Katongole Kizito, Head Teacher of Gayaza High School, echoed this sentiment, adding:
"We aim to change young people’s mindsets, so they can appreciate agriculture. Even in homes with limited space, farming is possible. We want them to understand agriculture's value to both homes and schools."
Students left the camp inspired and motivated. Senana Veronica Bakhita from Caltec Academy Makerere shared, “I learned how to plant trees and make manure. I’m excited to share this knowledge with other students and encourage them and their parents to explore alternative energy sources instead of relying on firewood and charcoal.”
Kataaha Breea, a student from Gayaza High School, added, “I milked a cow, planted a banana tree, and realized that farming can be a fulfilling profession. It’s fun, and I enjoyed it more than I expected. Agriculture is a beautiful and rewarding career, but it all starts with changing how we think about it.”
The School Farm Camp is revolutionising agricultural education, providing students and teachers with practical skills and a renewed perspective on farming. This initiative aligns with FAO’s mission to promote sustainable agriculture and food security, emphasizing youth's essential role in driving innovation and progress in the sector.