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The challenges of food insecurity and limited economic opportunities have prompted some residents of Kalkrand to explore their own sustainable solutions that can both nourish and empower them. 

One such initiative gaining momentum is backyard gardening, an innovative approach to bolstering local food security while providing a source of income for households.

After struggling for four years to find work as a qualified electrician, 32-year-old Reinhold Gariseb chose to redirect his energy towards agriculture. 

With the support of his sister, who bought him various seeds, he cultivated a garden designed not only for self-reliance but also to promote healthy eating in his community and make available fresh vegetables. 

Gariseb's venture goes beyond generating income; it's a commitment to encouraging healthy eating and well-being. 

His flourishing garden is brimming with a variety of vegetables, including spinach, corn, beetroot, basil, green peppers, tomatoes, pumpkin, watermelon, and onions.

Gariseb hopes to expand his garden and create job opportunities, aiming to tackle unemployment and provide an alternative for the youth, keeping them off the streets. 

Inspired by a deep desire to set an example for his children, he emphasised the importance of self-reliance and creating solutions to combat hunger and poverty. 

Through his efforts, Gariseb hopes to inspire others to take the initiative and build sustainable futures for themselves and their communities.

"This is a village, and someone can give you a piece of meat, so you just go to the garden and take an onion to put in. In the near future, because I have small kids, I want them to see what their dad is doing so that they can proceed with this and not go in the street and do bad things, so it's better to start, and one day I'll maybe get a bigger plot, make the business bigger, and take care of my kids or even save someone's kid."

Maria Kandetu and Anna Ida Jantjies, both eager to showcase their gardens, shared a common belief in the value of homegrown produce. 

As they also sell what they grow, they highlight the practical benefits of gardening, explaining that when money is tight, a well-tended garden can provide a vital source of food, easing the burden when grocery expenses and bills such as water and electricity are high.

In the face of a challenging drought, these resilient residents remain dedicated to transforming their communities and their own lives. 

However, they find themselves in need of essential resources such as planting tools, seedlings, and fertilizers.

With a growing interest in self-sufficient gardening, they emphazise the vital role that individuals, communities, and governments must play in fostering more resilient and sustainable food systems.

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Author
Celma Ndhikwa