Agricultural Research Council to undertake grey water usage research and provide recommendations.
14.4.7 Mechanism for Improving the Sustainability of Homestead
Food Gardens
There are a number of gaps in the current approach used to support homestead food
gardens in the Gauteng Province. The mechanism for improving the sustainability of
homestead food gardens in the Gauteng Province should include the following key
activities:
14.4.7.1 Stakeholder and Communities Mobilisation
Involvement and participation of the communities and stakeholders in project design
and implementation, and evaluation is very crucial for the sustainability of gardens.
Having two-way channels for information exchange is instrumental for achieving
sustainable, improved gardening practices. Different government departments (Education, Social Development, Health, Rural Development, Municipalities),
households, councillors, NGOs, etc., should be mobilised in this regard based on
research results. The mobilisation is working well in some districts/metropolitans
and should be encouraged across the Gauteng Province.
14.4.7.2 Situational Analysis
It is very important to establish provincial data for soil, water, and climate as this is a
prerequisite for agricultural production. Desktop natural resource audits and crop
suitability maps are critical before implementation of the Homestead Garden
Programme. This will enable the determination of biophysical viability of homestead
food gardens in the Gauteng Province.
14.4.7.3 Food Garden Inputs
Access to the necessary inputs for gardening from a sustainable source is an
important element for successful gardening. Such inputs include seeds, seedlings
and saplings, a regular water supply, environmental friendly soil improvement
techniques and pest control, and tools. The current starter pack approach being
used by GDARD should be reviewed. It was established that some households are
given tools/seeds that they do not need. As a result, households end up selling the
tools or donating them. A comprehensive needs analysis should be undertaken by
the department. This will ensure that funding is spent on what is needed and based on
properly planned initiatives. It will improve service delivery and contribute to better
suited equipment being distributed and less money being wasted.
14.4.7.4 Technical Assistance, Training, and Demonstrations
Technical support is especially important when gardening techniques are being
promoted such as growing new or an increased number of varieties or year-round
vegetable production. Practical training in each household garden can serve to
320
P. Maponya et al.
14.4.7 Mechanism for Improving the Sustainability of Homestead
Food Gardens
There are a number of gaps in the current approach used to support homestead food
gardens in the Gauteng Province. The mechanism for improving the sustainability of
homestead food gardens in the Gauteng Province should include the following key
activities:
14.4.7.1 Stakeholder and Communities Mobilisation
Involvement and participation of the communities and stakeholders in project design
and implementation, and evaluation is very crucial for the sustainability of gardens.
Having two-way channels for information exchange is instrumental for achieving
sustainable, improved gardening practices. Different government departments (Education, Social Development, Health, Rural Development, Municipalities),
households, councillors, NGOs, etc., should be mobilised in this regard based on
research results. The mobilisation is working well in some districts/metropolitans
and should be encouraged across the Gauteng Province.
14.4.7.2 Situational Analysis
It is very important to establish provincial data for soil, water, and climate as this is a
prerequisite for agricultural production. Desktop natural resource audits and crop
suitability maps are critical before implementation of the Homestead Garden
Programme. This will enable the determination of biophysical viability of homestead
food gardens in the Gauteng Province.
14.4.7.3 Food Garden Inputs
Access to the necessary inputs for gardening from a sustainable source is an
important element for successful gardening. Such inputs include seeds, seedlings
and saplings, a regular water supply, environmental friendly soil improvement
techniques and pest control, and tools. The current starter pack approach being
used by GDARD should be reviewed. It was established that some households are
given tools/seeds that they do not need. As a result, households end up selling the
tools or donating them. A comprehensive needs analysis should be undertaken by
the department. This will ensure that funding is spent on what is needed and based on
properly planned initiatives. It will improve service delivery and contribute to better
suited equipment being distributed and less money being wasted.
14.4.7.4 Technical Assistance, Training, and Demonstrations
Technical support is especially important when gardening techniques are being
promoted such as growing new or an increased number of varieties or year-round
vegetable production. Practical training in each household garden can serve to
320
P. Maponya et al.