Food is a tool of manipulation…political manipulation for that matter (think of the rising costs of flour and cooking oil at the moment)

Such happenings bring about a sense of helplessness…

But in our own small ways, we could forge solutions to these crises and generate a sense of relief…

One such solution is growing your own food.

Let me explain.

GROW YOUR OWN FOOD

With over 75% of Africa’s population being considered young, there is more responsibility in store for the youth in the agricultural front.

What do I mean?

Imagine what could happen if 100 youth in a neighborhood come together and lease a piece of land to grow crops?

But before thinking agribusiness, let’s first see this food as releiving their food budget.

If they can produce 5 kilos of spinach per week, and assuming that spinach costs kshs 50 per kilo, that would be kshs 250 saved.

But there is a challenge…

Access to land is and will always be a big issue when it comes to youth involvement in agriculture.

I mean…how many have families owning even an acre or two?

Many of today’s youth are disinherited of the primary means of production…land.

Besides, even if they manage to secure a piece, their agricultural success will heavily depend on rainfall (which is highly erratic due to the effects of climate change).

So what recourse do they have?

What options are there?

FARMING IN SMALL SPACES

What if we don’t just look at the small spaces around us as resting zones but potential food zones…

I can’t forget using a small space measuring about 9 by 9 feet to grow some spinach crop.

And man did that crop feed us well.

Infact I even remember us harvesting twice in a row within a week.

If that could happen on a piece of land less than 100 square feet in size, imagine how much produce could come from a piece twice this size?

And many times, we ignore those kind of spaces around us…the balcony,  the patios, the verandah etc.

Farming in small spaces is not just a hobby.

If taken seriously, it can translate into a big time buffer against hunger in many food deserts especially in urban and some rural areas.

But for it to work, several things must come into play:

First, it must be sustainable.

What do I mean?

Soil fertility must not only exist but be improved over time.

Practices such as composting not only rid us of solid waste but convert it into a rich soil amendment that boosts soils over time…

Key point here is ‘over time’. So no quick fixes.

Second, economic use of water is possible while farming in small spaces

Intensive vegetable cultivation allows growth of leaves which shed the area reducing evaporation.

I remember sowing some sprouting potatoes on a small piece only for them to grow bushes ending up creating a good shed from sunlight.

This led to less watering.

Last but not least, farming in small spaces doesn’t need a formula.

One can innovate as they venture and in many ways, these new methods of farming are not disappointing.

Take for instance a simple strategy like using waste plastic containers to grow your veges and herbs.

This way, you can grow herbs of your choice the way you want to grow them.

Remember, veges and herbs supply us with antioxidants and some are even known to repel some lifestyle diseases.

You will be having a living chemist on your balcony!

IN CONCLUSION

Farming in small spaces is not a part time affair.

It is necessary during these times of high food prices, food shortages and high costs of farm inputs.

Perhaps it’s time to encourage as many people as possible to embrace farming in small spaces.

#ukulimasioushamba