Residents were encouraged to transform their backyards into productive food gardens during a World Food Day celebration held yesterday at Tarlton Agri Park. The event, hosted by Mogale City’s Department of Social Development in partnership with the Gauteng Department Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and Local Economic Development (LED) aimed to promote food security and self-reliance.
Observed under the theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and Future,” the event brought together emerging farmers and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) beneficiaries for a day of hands-on learning. Participants received practical training on crop production, entrepreneurship, marketing, thus equipping them with the skills to turn small-scale farming into sustainable sources of income.
World Food Day, celebrated globally, highlights the importance of ensuring access to nutritious food for all. According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, equivalent to one in eleven worldwide and one in five across Africa.
The event also marked the first anniversary of the Burgershoop Food Garden, a community project in Krugersdorp West that provides fresh produce to indigent households. The initiative stands as a model of how local partnerships can help combat hunger and restore dignity through collective action.
Seasoned farmers from Tarlton Agri Park shared valuable insights on improving productivity and maintaining soil health while GDARD encouraged participants to use available land for food cultivation.
Through initiatives like these, Mogale City continues to champion community resilience, local food production and the right to nutritious food, ensuring that every household can grow towards a more secure and sustainable future.