Backyard gardens

Spencer Robinson, Suva

A few days ago, I was compelled to buy another umbrella because the other one approached its ‘retirement age’. After buying the umbrella, I had a brief chat with the entrepreneur, a senior citizen, concerning the weather condition in the ‘burning West’ and the escalating health problems faced by the reproductive population relating to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and other illnesses like cancer.

The shopkeeper emphasised that we all need to go ‘organic’ with our foods especially with our local fruits and vegetables.

During his time, as he recalled, people ate healthy organic food from their backyard gardens.

It is the opposite and more and more pesticides and fertilisers, which are ‘poison’ to the soil and in turn leave chemical residues on the lush colourful fruits and vegetables are being sold in our local markets. Thank you sir, for reminding us of the importance of growing our own fruits and vegetables for a good and sustainable cause.