Communities urged to establish nutritional community gardens

Judith Phiri, Farming Reporter
THE Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) has urged communities to utilise areas with accessible water to establish nutritional community gardens as part of efforts to improve household food security and income among vulnerable families.

In an interview, Agritex officer in charge of Matabeleland North and Bulawayo, Mr Dumisani Nyoni said community gardens were essential in both urban and rural areas.

“Community gardens can be done both in towns and rural areas where there is access to water sources or bodies.

These assist community members with horticulture products such as vegetables, tomatoes, onions, peas, beetroot and carrots among others,” said Mr Nyoni.

He said from eating sadza people get carbohydrates and vegetables then supplement people’s nutrition by providing other nutrients. Mr Nyoni said when community members take community gardens seriously, they can get surplus which they can sell and generate much needed income.

“Government’s wish is that a whole village of about 30 households should have a garden like that where they can get vegetables. They should avoid stream bank cultivation. We recommend that they should not plant within 30 metres from the stream bank so that they do not accelerate soil erosion,” he said.

Matabeleland North provincial principal agronomist Mr Davison Masendeke said community gardens play a major role during winter when relish from the fields which farmers get during the rainy season will have been finished. He said the gardens close a gap and at the same time provide the much-needed nutrition especially in the form of vitamins which are very important for children’s growth as well.

Meanwhile, the Hwange Local Board (HLB) councillors have hailed the crafting of an allotment gardens policy as a major milestone towards alleviating poverty among vulnerable members of society. According to the local authority’s latest monthly newsletter, Councillor Tendai Sibanda of Ward 5 said the creation of community gardens would play a pivotal role in improving livelihoods at most poverty-stricken households.

According to the draft policy, HLB supports and encourages existing allotment gardens to become self-managed to a high standard. The draft policy provides a framework of managing future community garden initiatives as part of a larger agricultural enterprise network within the local authority.

Clr Sibanda is one of the pioneers of community gardens in Hwange urban. The policymaker was instrumental in the setting up of Sizimisele Community Garden in Empumalanga high density suburb in 2019. The community garden is home to 14 women with different vulnerability backgrounds.

“The policy was long overdue and even the Chairman emphasised on its importance during a Full Council meeting, which was held recently. I’m of the view that projects of this nature enhance good relationships between Council and residents,” said Clr Sibanda.

Councillor Andrew Mumpande of Ward 6 said Council should expedite the process of identifying land suitable to be utilised for community gardens as part of its efforts to assist poverty-stricken families.

According to Schedule 2 of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15, Powers of Council, section 7, Council has power to cultivate and farm land owned by the municipality or town which is not required for other purposes.

Allotment gardens connect with vibrant communities and economies to create space for people to meet and share knowledge, learn new skills and harvest in a harmonious way.