Carrots (and cabbages) for the hungry
2nd September 2006
On a recent village trip, I had the opportunity to help out with
establishing a nursery for cabbages and carrots.
The nursery was to be placed next to the home of the leader of the
village. Once the cabbages and carrots have grown to seedling
size, the seedlings will be transported to local residents'
farms.
Most of the villagers survived on one meal
of cassava a day. The carrots and cabbages will provide additional
food and some much needed vitamins and nutrients.
Making the nursery
The nursery was constructed over two days. The first day was
spent removing the grass from a patch of land
and breaking up the large pieces of dirt. The next day was spent
working some cow dung into the soil (to act as a fertiliser), planting
some seeds and constructing a shelter to shield
the seedlings from the sun.
They were initially only going to plant
cabbages, but then decided to plant carrots. I asked them the
obvious question, "Why not plant both?". Some back and
forth ensued before they acknowledged that it was a good idea to plant
both. So, in some small way, I
helped feed the hungry of Africa. Some people will now eat
cabbages as well as carrots. *shrugs*
The planting of the garden was not dissimilar
to the building of the dish-drying
table in Kitale. We posed for the odd
photo, did minimal work and watched Africans
do the real work.
I hope the locals look after the nursery and
eating cabbages and carrots become the rule rather than the
exception. One meal of cassava (a root vegetable not dissimilar to
potatoes) a day just can't be good for you.
This experience was somewhat tempered by thoughts
like these.
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me.
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(c)
2005 and 2006 Malcolm Trevena.
All the stuff on this site is written by me, Malcolm Trevena. Feel free to
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