Agroecological Gardens in Schools in Argentina

We work with school gardens to strengthen food security for children and adolescents living in vulnerable communities in the South of Tucumán, by building self-production capacities and promoting healthy eating habits.

Through ACDI, we managed to facilitate the installation of an irrigation system in one of the schools in Taco Ralo, a crucial tool for water management. These communities often rely solely on water provided by the local government's tanker trucks, which may only come every 15 days or even longer—sometimes months—depending on weather conditions and road conditions.

For families relying on crops and small livestock, the difficulty in accessing water for irrigation or animal consumption is a constant challenge. The high costs of installing irrigation systems and water pumps prevent them from improving their production yields.

The marginalization of rural areas, poverty conditions, limited productive development, and lack of access to basic rights such as clean water highlight the need for joint efforts to enhance the quality of life for residents.

This underscores the importance of installing irrigation systems, particularly in community spaces like school gardens, which provide food for the school's cafeteria where students attend.

With your contribution, you can help these isolated and vulnerable communities access better living conditions.

One of the school vegetable gardens that we accompany and strengthen is located in the town of La Madrid, Province of Tucumán. This is the Alcira del Blanco Special School in Ergueta, which has a total of 50 students.

The institution was inaugurated on October 13, 1987 due to the community's need for an institution that served students with disabilities. The school is located in an area where its facilities suffered several floods, which meant a great effort to overcome those moments of adversity, where practically everything is lost, as was the case in the 2017 flood.

Today, they have a special secondary comprehensive educational service and an annex for young people and adults with disabilities. 

The students who attend the school come from various geographical areas, since it is the only special modality school in the region. His students come from La Madrid, Taco Ralo, Monteagudo, San Pedro de Guasayan, Niogasta, Palomino and Graneros.

These families are mostly in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability. The presence of the canteen at school is the main guarantee that children receive a daily meal and the school garden represents an opportunity to learn about self-production of food.

The garden, with the support of ACDI, supplies the school cafeteria and in addition, the students can replicate the knowledge acquired in their homes, to also help improve their food security.

ACDI continues on its path to strengthen the capacities of communities for their food security.