Horticulture Therapy (HT) has put down roots in Kerala over the last 10 years, thanks to the College of Agriculture in Thiruvananthapuram, under the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Leading the initiative is Beela GK, associate professor, the Department of Community Science, who has been using the therapy for people living with disabilities. In September this year, the Department started a skill-development programme in HT for those with special needs, a first-of-its-kind by any Indian university. Beela talks about the programme and how HT is breaking new ground in Kerala.
How does HT help those with differential abilities?
HT focusses on the people-plant connection. It uses plants and plant-related activities for physical, mental and social well-being. In the case of the differently-abled, among other benefits, tending to the plants increases their fine motor skills, improves coordination and balance, gives them a sense of independence and provides an environment to interact with others.
Tell us about the training programme at the University...
Our motto is ‘Towards ability from disability, through horticulture therapy’. This skill-development programme, supported by the Kerala Social Security Mission, aims at equipping the disabled to earn a living and impart training to people like them. There is nothing more encouraging and inspiring than learning from a person who is in the same boat. The six-month programme covers various aspects of horticulture and horticulture therapy and related activities. There are 14 students in the batch, who are either mentally and physically challenged or visually impaired. They were selected on the basis of an interview that assessed their grasping power and passion for gardening/farming. Our team has two agriculture experts, two psychologists, one child development expert and a social worker. Once they finish the training in March, we will teach them to market the produce.
How did you get introduced to horticulture therapy?
I always wanted to do something for children with disabilities because I had a brother who became disabled following a surgical error. I lost him when I was 10. My doctoral thesis was in child development and after I joined the college, I wanted to focus on an area that integrated agriculture and child development. I was introduced to HT when I was staying in Bahrain, where I had an opportunity to volunteer at the community centre in Isa Town.
Beela G. K.
In 2008, I introduced this in Kerala with the support of the State Horticulture Mission. The guidance to introduce the training programme was given by Dr Paul de la Motte, president of Australian Horticultural Therapy Association (Victoria), when he visited Kerala in 2012.
Based on the modules he provided, we introduced a diploma course at the Centre for Disability Studies (CeDS) in Thiruvananthapuram. The technical support was given by BR Reghunath, our former dean. We now have a registered Horticultural Therapy Association.
Model Horticultural Therapy garden at the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, Thiruvananthapuram
KAU has already made a model horticulture therapy public garden in Thiruvananthapuram, and now with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala, we are setting up horticulture therapy gardens in 10 schools across the State.
Want to study?
While the College of Agriculture, Kansas University, USA, a pioneer in the field, offers graduate, masters and PhD programmes in HT, and K-State Division of Continuing Education of the University, has an online Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Therapy, there aren’t any institutions from India on the list. Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany and Japan too offer courses in HT.
NURTURING LIVES
Differently-abled students who are pursuing skill-development programme in horticultural therapy at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, with dean Anil Kumar A
“Farming makes me happy…,” says Sruthy MA with a smile and goes on to list the vegetables she is growing at her home in Pachalloor. A home science graduate, the 24-year-old is mentally challenged and is among the 14 differently-abled students who have joined the skill-development programme in horticulture therapy (HT).
Her classmate 27-year-old Anujith A adds: “I like the sessions here. Even though I have a job at a driving school I go there only after this class….” Samad from Karakkamandapam, likes to paint, and so looks forward to the painting session, which is part of the syllabus. In addition to learning about potting mixtures, growing vegetables and flowering plants, using garden equipment and the like, the students learn to work with clay and dry flowers, flower arrangement and vegetable painting too. For visually-challenged 26-year-old Jithin AR, farming comes naturally to him as he hails from a family of agriculturists at Varkala.
Positive changes
Shyamkumar N., a psychologist in the team, says, “The course has enhanced their confidence, especially in travelling by bus to the class.” Himamol Thankappan, specialist in child development, adds, “They help each other in the class. We assess their performances regularly through informal sessions.”
The course ends by March, but they will be on the campus till August during which they will be trained to make a living out of farming. They will work at the sales counter on the college campus and will also be equipped to do door-to-door sale. “We are concentrating on vegetables like long beans, bittergourd, cucumber, and amaranthus, which can be easily grown and harvested and earn good returns. We also give them the potting mixture so that they can grow some of these vegetables at home,” says Sujil S., a technical assistant.
A horticulture therapy garden is being set up on the premises of the department. While one section will have flowering plants, the other will be dedicated to vegetables.
According to Anil Kumar A, dean, it is high time HT is implemented in other districts. “HT blends behavioural science and agricultural science. This is relevant in the current scenario and we have to explore the potential,” he says.
