ON THE PLOT
Food help leads to seedling farm
To enhance the food security of impoverished communities in its region an East Rand care centre has helped communities in Etwatwa , Daveyton to establish food gardens . And , The Manger Care Centre has done so in two ways , one of which will have a spin-off benefit for commercial vegetable and herb growers in
Left : Workers prepare commercial seedling trays at the Manger Care Centre ’ s seedling production farm in Brentwood Park , Benoni
Gauteng . Firstly , the centre has assisted more than 90 co-operatives with training and the establishment of food gardens to sustain members and their families . With funding from individuals and corporates The Manger centre has not only established food gardens at some of these co-ops but has also helped to develop infrastructure , drilling boreholes , fitting pumps and
tanks and irrigation . The centre sees the participants on a weekly basis at their community vegetable gardens , to mentor and coach them where they and their families and community members are growing vegetables to sustain themselves . A Manger centre spokesman says “ This shift from food aid to agriculture development came with the realisation that longer-term solutions were needed to fight hunger . “ During the last four years MCC SD & ED Projects has implemented a food and nutritional security programme in Etwatwa , Daveyton . The programme was well received because it generated significant increases in production and food security as well as spontaneous uptake by other members of the communities . “ The relationships MCC SD & ED Projects has in the targeted communities will increase the likelihood of success of the project because of the knowledge of the region and experience working in the area . “ Lastly , MCC SD & ED Projects developed an excellent rapport with the Dept of Agriculture and the National Development Agency who support food and nutritional security initiatives .” But the organisation realises that quality seedlings are essential for good growth and
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