Nutritional garden turns profitable enterprise in Nketa

RESIDENTS of Nketa suburb in Bulawayo have transformed a nutritional garden into a commercial entity that benefits the community including vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people living with disabilities, widows, widowers and child-headed families.

The initiative, not only addresses food security but also fosters social solidarity and economic resilience within the community.

Established in 2018, Musarurwa Nutritional Garden boasts 250 beds of various vegetables, including carrots, beetroot, cabbages and onions, feeding 46 households in the suburb.

With a solar-powered borehole and a large water tank, the garden ensures a reliable water supply, while fencing protects it from stray animals. To further maximise profits, the 46 members initiated a grocery scheme, where each member contributes from their produce sales.

These funds are pooled to buy groceries in bulk, which are then shared among members every six months.
This initiative provides essential items such as sugar, rice, tea leaves, soap, cooking oil and flour, significantly enhancing food security and reducing financial strain on families.

Mrs Loveness Mlilo, the project chairperson, highlighted how the grocery scheme has enabled families to meet their basic needs. She said members can contribute as little as US$10 per month, accumulating significant amounts over six months for groceries.

“We recently shared groceries that consisted of sugar, rice, tea leaves, bathing soap, bars of washing soap, washing powder, cooking oil and flour. My family will survive on those basic needs at least until we buy more groceries in December,” she said.

“Each member is expected to sell their produce and contribute any amount that he or she is comfortable with, but not less than US$10 per month. After six months we buy groceries in bulk and share amongst ourselves.”

Mrs Mlilo said since they introduced the grocery scheme, their members are now able to feed their families.
“For example, I can make US$20 per week and decide to contribute half of that to my monthly target of US$40, which will translate to over US$200 worth of groceries after six months,” she said.

Another member, Mrs Thandiwe Ncube said: “Keeping money at home can be tempting because I might end up using it for things that I don’t need, but when I contribute towards groceries with other members of Musarurwa Nutritional Garden, I’m guaranteed that after six months my family will have groceries that will sustain us for months.”

Retired factory worker, Mr Khameni Ngwenya joined the nutritional garden a year after he left his employment at a Bulawayo company in 2017. He said he is now enjoying the financial benefits of the garden.

“I didn’t want to spend my days sitting at home doing nothing, so I joined Musarurwa Nutritional Garden after retirement. Ever since we introduced the grocery scheme, my family is better taken of,” said Mr Ngwenya.
Ward 24 Councillor Tavengwa Zidya, who is the patron of the nutritional garden, said the project has created a sustainable model of community support and empowerment.

“The garden in Nketa is proof that hard work and working towards a common cause can uplift community members, no matter their background or financial status. I’m also a member of the grocery scheme,” he said.
Nutrition gardens are integral to the Government’s broader strategy to promote food security and reduce dependency on imports.

They serve as local hubs for cultivating diverse fruits and vegetables, enhancing dietary diversity. To complement the nutrition garden concept, the Government introduced the Rural Development 8, 0 with the Presidential Rural Development Programme as one of the eight tenets.

Under the programme, the Government drills a borehole in each of the 35 000 rural villages across the country and establishes a commercial one-hectare garden. The scheme was launched by President Mnangagwa in December 2021 in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South Province.

This is part of the Government’s strategy to transform communities and stem rural and urban migration as the country inches towards Vision 2030.