PARTICIPATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL FARMS IN SHIGA PREFECTURE

Participation in agricultural activities is actively encouraged at Kindergartens, primary schools and junior high schools in Japan.
In Shiga Prefecture, school farm agriculture has been supported by its local self-governing bodies for the past 15 years.
Farming practice has been adopted in 70–80% of primary schools and 40–50% of junior high schools.
However, schools seldom have their own farms or paddy fields.
These are, in most cases, borrowed from neighboring farmers.

The sweet potato ranks the first among the products cultivated.
It is cultivated in 98% of schools.
It is followed by the pumpkin (34%), sponge cucumber (32%), cucumber (17%), tomato (16%), eggplant (16%), soybean (15%) and sweet corn (15%).

Agricultural activities have produced a variety of educational benefits in primary school pupils.
It has deepened the recognition of the importance of feeling nature, enhanced the ability of self-control and widened the understanding toward work.
At handicapped children’s schools and in classes of handicapped children, agricultural activities have immensely contributed to the development of these children.

Horticulture in Human life, Culture and Environment

H. Konoshima

School farming, Farming activity, Horticultural activity, Educational benefits

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.391.21