In a proactive effort to embed agricultural literacy and national food security awareness among young people from an early age, Suriname’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) has launched targeted educational outreach programs for primary school students across the country. The latest session of this initiative took place recently, bringing hands-on agricultural learning to 36 eighth-grade students at O.S. Mijnzorgweg, a local primary school in Suriname.
Organized and led by the ministry’s Wanica D/Lelydorp district office, the interactive information session brought together district head Ruben Piroe, section leader Nicolette Kasandikromo and a team of agricultural educators to introduce students to the core mandate of the ministry and the critical role the agricultural sector plays in Suriname’s national economy and livelihoods.
Unlike traditional classroom lectures, the session centered on actionable, youth-focused learning, with the core theme of national food security taking center stage. Educators walked students through key concepts including environmentally sustainable food production practices, the fundamentals of healthy nutrition, and the meaningful contribution that young people can make toward Suriname’s goal of increasing domestic food production and reducing reliance on imported goods.
To bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience, every participating student and several attending teachers received free vegetable seedlings to take home or cultivate at school. According to LVV, this hands-on component is designed to actively engage young people in the process of growing their own food, fostering a deeper personal appreciation for the work of farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole.
The school’s principal Panalie-Atida and teacher Anoeradha Jhabboe supported the session and guided students throughout the activity. At the conclusion of the program, school leadership presented a token of appreciation to district head Ruben Piroe to recognize the ministry’s effort in bringing this valuable learning opportunity to their students.
LVV officials emphasized that this school outreach session is just one part of a broader, long-term national strategy. By introducing agricultural and food security concepts to children during their primary school years, the ministry aims to build a foundation of understanding that will support Suriname’s sustainable agricultural development and food sovereignty goals for decades to come.