Sometimes, the most powerful lessons grow quietly—rooted in the soil, nurtured by care, and shaped by values. At the Zilla Parishad Primary School in Derewadi (taluka Javali, district Satara), such a lesson has blossomed into a success story that recently found recognition in Sakal, one of Maharashtra’s leading newspapers.

Inspired by the Mulyavardhan programme of the Shantilal Muttha Foundation (SMF), teacher Shri. Atul Borate transformed a simple idea into a living classroom. After attending the state-level Mulyavardhan training, he returned with a renewed belief that values are best learned through experience. With this vision, he guided students from grades 1 to 5 to create a kitchen garden (parasabaug) within the school premises.

The initiative was not limited to planting saplings. Students across Grades 1–5 actively planned the garden, prepared the soil, followed organic farming practices, and took collective responsibility for nurturing the crops. Today, the garden thrives with radish, carrots, chillies, brinjal, cauliflower, and beans—fresh produce that is used directly in the school’s mid-day meals.

When the harvest is more than the school can consume, the learning goes a step further. The school organises a weekly vegetable market on campus, where nearby residents and parents come together to buy fresh produce. Through this, children experience real-life lessons in community engagement, dignity of labour, and the value of honest work.

The impact has been transformative. Teachers have observed a significant change in students’ behaviour: greater cooperation, sensitivity towards peers, respect for labour, and pride in collective effort. Parents, inspired by their children’s enthusiasm, began visiting the school to voluntarily support the gardening work.

The initiative’s success reached beyond the school walls. Derewadi school secured first place in the taluka-level kitchen garden competition, and its inspiring journey was featured in Sakal, highlighting how value-based education can create real change on the ground.

Sakal newspaper coverage of Derewadi Primary School’s kitchen garden initiative

“Through this garden, children learned the dignity of labour and teamwork. These are values that will stay with them for life,” shares Shri. Atul Borate.

Derewadi’s kitchen garden stands as a living example of how the Mulyavardhan programme helps schools sow values early—so children grow not only vegetables, but also responsibility, empathy, and character.