Vegetable gardens: Now sprouting in Beijing schools

Anais Martane at the awarding ceremony. [Photo by Ruan Fan/chinadaily.com.cn]

At the awards ceremony held on Monday in the French Embassy, Chinese actor Liu Ye's wife Anais Martane was also present as a special envoy.

Martane told China Daily website that the competition is quite meaningful for the kids, especially kids in big cities who rarely have the opportunity to get close to nature and experience it.

"I, as a city mom, would take my son and daughter to see nature and climb the mountains because I think it's important. But it's not enough for them to really experience nature, as they don't feel the process of trees growing and all."

"Growing vegetables is different, you have to look after them, and if you take good care of it, it grows well - it is the same as looking after an animal or a kid, I think it's good for the kids to know that," Martane said.

To encourage the kids, the Embassy has prepared a prize for each and every school participating in this competition.

"The schools' conditions vary, they are not of the same background, and have very different funding and support. But they tried their best to do it, that's what's important," Galsworthy said.

"I hope the project could go on next year, and the kids would take care of their gardens. Also, I hope someone would take it over, because it is not a French activity, it could happen anywhere, and deserves to be continued," she said.

This year's activity is sponsored by Limagrain China, which provided the seeds, soil, organic fertilizer and tools necessary to grow vegetables.