Backyard Solution For Healthy Lifestyle

If you’re dreaming of eating nutritious vegetables and less processed foods, the solution lies in your backyard. Whether you live on a small lot in the city or a piece of land outside town, there’s a lot to benefit from having your own backyard garden.

Government through the Ministry of Agriculture in its bid to help foster healthier lifestyles and improve your physical fitness is promoting the planting of vegetables in your own backyard.

Realistically government’s intent is to encourage rural and urban household gardening to produce and consume healthier and nutritious crops. Backyard gardening benefits those who do not have a large yard for gardening.

So no one is left out. While those engaged in backyard gardening can grow many of their favourite vegetables they can even sell the surplus to generate extra income for their families.

Government is supporting the programme due to the increasing reliance on processed foods.

It targets the urban and peri-urban areas to positively impact the lives of ordinary Fijians wherever they are.

Many families living in the urban and peri-urban areas are always challenged by a limited land area and space, and a lack of knowledge and resources for planting.

The Assistant Minister for Agriculture Jale Sigarara said this programme would introduce very simple techniques such as horizontal and vertical container methods to optimise space for planting.

This practice will also ease the increasing cost of living.

“It will ensure that Fijians living in these areas have improved access to nutritious fresh produce which should result in a major reduction in food costs,” he said.

Be reminded that converting your lawn to a garden requires time and effort and will even use up your resources. But, there’s a pay-off.

In promoting this programme the Government has been giving out backyard gardening packages in the Central and Northern Divisions.

A recipient in the Northern Division, Sefanaia Rokodua of Naseakula Village, said the initiative would assist him in maintaining his fitness and combating non-communicable diseases.

With his current condition of being in crutches, the option of going to plant far from home is not realistic to him, however, this initiative will enable him to plant in his backyard and eat from what he is capable of planting.

This will also help him exercise daily.

Here are the benefits of backyard farming from Permaculture News.

Be reminded that converting your lawn to a garden requires time and effort and will use up your resources. But there’s a pay-off.