An event to commemorate Arbor Day took place in Gozo during the Hands on Farming Programme at the government’s Xewkija Experimental Farm, with students from the Santa Theresa primary school in Kercem participating in the planting of the indigenous Holm oak tree, otherwise known as is-sigra tal-ballut.

This event kicked off with a student reading out information about the Holm oak tree followed by students planting Holm oak saplings in small pots. At the end of the event, students were given a bag of seeds to be planted at home.

The Hands on Farming Programme, which was introduced in Gozo three years ago, is aimed towards creating environmental awareness among students in Gozo and to teach them about the importance of agriculture.

During this programme, primary and secondary school students are taken around various sections of the farm to witness farming activities first hand as well as to see and be given information on a number of trees and plants indigenous to the Maltese islands. Other than serving as an educational tool, this programme encourages students to act responsibly and care for their environment.