In support of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s (WCDoA) One Home One Garden Campaign Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer recently visited food gardens in Witzenberg.
According to Minister Meyer, every household needs to have a food garden as it will contribute towards the family’s food security.
Minister Meyer: “As part of our Covid-19 response, the One Home One Garden Campaign encourages households to start their own food production units.”
Food production units come in the form of a vegetable garden or a chicken house.
Meyer: “A garden size of 20m² can provide salads, cabbage, onion, beetroot and beans during Autumn and broccoli, spinach, carrots, turnip, and peas during Spring.
Similarly, a chicken house consisting of ten chickens provides the household with an average of eight eggs per day.”
The WCDoA has contributed to the establishment of over eighty household food gardens through the distribution of starter packs consisting of 150 vegetable seedlings, fertiliser and advice on production practices such as planting, tending and harvesting of vegetables.
“The aim is to assist households to be able to produce enough food to meet basic household food security needs throughout the year. Home gardening is also relaxing and stimulating during this difficult period. During my visits to these home gardens I have witnessed team work, joy and fun in the families. Through these food gardens we are seeing #ForTheLoveOfAgriculture in action on the ground in various communities“ concluded Meyer.
For more information:
Daniel Johnson
Tel: 079 990 4231
Email: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za