demonstrate different varieties, or other important gardening techniques such as
year-round production, etc. Most households indicated that the limited training,
demonstrations, and technical assistance are not enough to enable a good understanding of agricultural production. These activities should be structured during
every stage of the growing of crops such as soil preparation, managing pests and
diseases, harvesting, etc. Some households complained about land size and that the
department should consider and implement alternative production systems such as
vertical production systems or container production in bags in those households.
14.4.7.5 Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is a very important aspect of food security. It was evident from
the survey conducted that most households were falling behind in terms of nutrition
education. An understanding of the cultural context and feeding practices will offer
guidance on nutrition education and ensure nutrition education programmes that
meet the needs of the people. It is critical for the people to understand the importance
of nutrition and having balanced diets that contain all the required minerals and
vitamins. Other districts/metropolitans have indicated that they are working closely
with the Department of Health to address nutrition education. This practice should be
encouraged across whole of the Gauteng Province.
14.4.7.6 Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation are big challenges for HFG sustainability in the Gauteng
Province. Most households indicated that the department officials were not visible
and the officials acknowledged the concerns of the household. The GDARD officials
emphasised that the number of households being supported is too many because of
capacity challenges. It must be emphasised that monitoring serves as a tool for
ensuring that activities are carried out as planned and to improve performance as
required. Monitoring, evaluation, and follow-ups will facilitate the identification of
problems and the development of solutions based on information sharing between
the households and the department officials. The department should introduce a
weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual monitoring tool for participating households to
gather information on production, consumption, distribution of seeds/tools, training
requirements, technical requirements, household list updating, etc. This mechanism
will be useful for GDARD to monitor the overall progress of the HFG programme
and ensure that the three legs of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental)
are addressed.
14.5 Conclusion
The households in the Gauteng Province have been described to be food and
nutrition insecure despite a significant drive towards addressing household food
security by the GDARD. The Homestead Food Garden (HFG) programme is an
important intervention with great potential to further benefit the Gauteng Province’s
households. The study found that the programme has some challenges. Monitoring
14 Mechanism for Improving the Sustainability of Homestead Food Gardens. . .
321
year-round production, etc. Most households indicated that the limited training,
demonstrations, and technical assistance are not enough to enable a good understanding of agricultural production. These activities should be structured during
every stage of the growing of crops such as soil preparation, managing pests and
diseases, harvesting, etc. Some households complained about land size and that the
department should consider and implement alternative production systems such as
vertical production systems or container production in bags in those households.
14.4.7.5 Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is a very important aspect of food security. It was evident from
the survey conducted that most households were falling behind in terms of nutrition
education. An understanding of the cultural context and feeding practices will offer
guidance on nutrition education and ensure nutrition education programmes that
meet the needs of the people. It is critical for the people to understand the importance
of nutrition and having balanced diets that contain all the required minerals and
vitamins. Other districts/metropolitans have indicated that they are working closely
with the Department of Health to address nutrition education. This practice should be
encouraged across whole of the Gauteng Province.
14.4.7.6 Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation are big challenges for HFG sustainability in the Gauteng
Province. Most households indicated that the department officials were not visible
and the officials acknowledged the concerns of the household. The GDARD officials
emphasised that the number of households being supported is too many because of
capacity challenges. It must be emphasised that monitoring serves as a tool for
ensuring that activities are carried out as planned and to improve performance as
required. Monitoring, evaluation, and follow-ups will facilitate the identification of
problems and the development of solutions based on information sharing between
the households and the department officials. The department should introduce a
weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual monitoring tool for participating households to
gather information on production, consumption, distribution of seeds/tools, training
requirements, technical requirements, household list updating, etc. This mechanism
will be useful for GDARD to monitor the overall progress of the HFG programme
and ensure that the three legs of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental)
are addressed.
14.5 Conclusion
The households in the Gauteng Province have been described to be food and
nutrition insecure despite a significant drive towards addressing household food
security by the GDARD. The Homestead Food Garden (HFG) programme is an
important intervention with great potential to further benefit the Gauteng Province’s
households. The study found that the programme has some challenges. Monitoring
14 Mechanism for Improving the Sustainability of Homestead Food Gardens. . .
321