Schools, communities urged to start home gardens

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe recently visited various schools in Ntabethemba and Tarkastad under the jurisdiction of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District to promote the cultivation of home-based, community, and school gardens as a means to combat food insecurity.

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Kontsiwe told Farmer’s Weekly that the visit formed part of the department’s Back to School campaign, themed ‘Inspiring Learners Through Agriculture’, which took place recently. Over three days, Kontsiwe, who was accompanied by department officials, constituency members, and the clergy, visited 10 schools.

“During these visits, we distributed school essentials to learners in need and inspected existing school gardens. I am encouraging both learners and community members to actively participate in food cultivation and assured them of the department’s commitment to supplying agricultural resources and ongoing support,” she said.