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How a School Garden Transformed Igwachanya Primary School

Photo credit: Edward Charles | CARE Tanzania

Photo credit: Edward Charles | CARE Tanzania

By Christa Chrizostom and Edward Charles March 2, 2025

At first, the idea of a school garden at Igwachanya Primary School seemed impractical. Students spent hours walking long distances to fetch irrigation water, leaving them exhausted and with little time for learning. But what started as a small initiative soon blossomed into something far greater improving not only student nutrition but also academic performance and economic opportunities for the school.

In February 2024, CARE Tanzania, through its SADIFU project, introduced a home gardening initiative aimed at ensuring every household in project villages had access to vegetables. However, the Njombe Regional Commissioner, Hon. Anthony Mtaka saw an opportunity to expand this vision—why not establish school gardens to provide students with fresh, nutritious meals while also serving as a hands-on learning experience for both students and their parents? With this guidance, Shamba Darasa Imara na Usatadi (SADIFU) successfully introduced 27 school gardens across Wanging’ombe District, with Igwachanya Primary School emerging as a shining example.

Beyond Nutrition: A Path to Academic Success

With a steady supply of fresh vegetables, student meals became more balanced, reducing cases of malnutrition. The impact was immediate and remarkable. In 2023, only 26% of students at Igwachanya Primary School achieved good academic performance. By 2024, this figure had more than doubled to 60%. Teachers attributed this success to improved student focus and energy levels, reinforcing the critical link between nutrition and learning outcomes.

 

Vegetables garden at Igwachanya. Photo Credit: Edward Charles | CARE Tanzania

From a Garden to a Thriving Enterprise

As the school’s vegetable production grew, so did its ambitions. Local community members and neighboring schools began purchasing vegetables from Igwachanya, generating a monthly income of 104,000 TZS (40 USD). This newfound revenue sparked an expansion into animal husbandry, with the school investing in three pigs as the first step toward a broader agricultural enterprise.

To sustain these efforts, the school used part of its earnings to construct a water tank—solving the irrigation challenge once and for all. No longer burdened by long walks to fetch water, students could focus more on their studies while still actively participating in the garden project. Additionally, the school invested in a pest control system, ensuring higher crop yields and improved efficiency.

A Vision for the Future: Dairy Farming and Beyond

Encouraged by their success, Igwachanya Primary School now has its sights set on a new project: dairy farming. Plans are underway to purchase cows, with the dual aim of generating income through milk sales and enhancing student nutrition. By providing fresh milk to students, the school hopes to further combat malnutrition and sustain the cycle of progress that began with a single school garden.

 

Our next goal is to establish a dairy farm

says Ayubu Ndondole,

The head teacher at Igwachanya Primary School.

“We believe this will not only improve student nutrition but also provide the school with a long-term, sustainable source of income.” –  says Ayubu Ndondole,

What started as a modest school garden has transformed into a beacon of innovation and self-reliance. Through resilience, strategic planning, and the support of CARE Tanzania’s SADIFU project, Igwachanya Primary School has demonstrated the power of sustainable solutions in improving education, nutrition, and economic opportunities. With every harvest and every new venture, the school is sowing the seeds for a brighter future.

Vegetables garden at Igwachanya. Photo Credit: Edward Charles | CARE Tanzania