Prime Minister Mike Eman recently visited SPO Santa Cruz as part of Aruba’s National Reforestation and Food Security Plan. The school has been running a garden project called “Hofi Pal’i Siya Cora”, where students plant a variety of fruit and vegetable crops to learn about agriculture and sustainability.
Prime Minister Eman expressed pride in seeing how the students, under the guidance of their teachers, actively participate in this important national initiative. He emphasized that Aruba’s reforestation plan aims to plant 100,000 trees within the next four years, which requires both large-scale planting and the expertise of those who understand sustainable cultivation.
“SPO Santa Cruz has become a model for how reforestation and agricultural education can be combined,” Eman noted during his visit. “The enthusiasm of the students shows how we can inspire a new generation to care for the environment and value local food production.”
During his tour, the Prime Minister observed crops such as cassava, melon, and eggplant being cultivated by the students. He highlighted the importance of such projects in supporting local food production, reducing dependence on imports, and passing environmental knowledge and passion from one generation to the next.
Eman added that the National Reforestation Plan, supported by Minister Geoffrey Wever, goes beyond tree planting—it also promotes the growth of Aruba’s agricultural sector to ensure the island’s self-sufficiency. Projects like Hofi Pal’i Siya Cora are key to both reforestation success and local food security.
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