The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
MAKONI Rural District Council, in conjunction with the Department of Agritex and local communities, is setting up gardens in 39 wards to improve food and nutrition security in the district.
The local authority is using devolution funds to finance the projects, while Agritex is providing technical support for their successful implementation.
MRDC chief executive officer, Dr Edward Pise said they want to scale up sustainable production of healthy food in the district.
So far they have used $3 million to set up 12 gardens in Makoni South.
“We are setting up 39 consolidated community gardens in the district. We are using devolution funds to make this possible. The gardens will each be one-hectare. Council is providing material such as treated poles and fence, among other things.
“The aim is to improve nutrition in rural areas by encouraging them to grow healthy foods. These gardens will help in promoting health and reducing stunting, kwashiorkor, malnutrition and others diseases linked to poor nutrition,” said Dr Pise.
Makoni District agronomist, Mr Mahlupeko Chowafa said the programme fall under the Horticultural Growth Recovery Plan in the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
The plan encompasses food and nutrition security for all citizens.
“We are providing expertise on where and how these gardens will be located and also which crops to grow. There is the Horticultural Growth Recovery Plan under NDS1 which outlines the need to have a food and nutrition secure nation and these gardens are part of what we are implementing here.
“Villagers will be growing vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, rape and butternuts, among other things,” said Mr Chowafa.
