PFL partners with Green Gem for rural food security
Mbongeni Mguni | Wednesday December 15, 2021 21:12
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants such as vegetables without soil by using water-based solutions. The project is expected to strengthen food security, income-generating opportunities and skills development for remote area dwellers.
In collaboration with the government, the partnership between PFL and Green Gem will target ten villages that include Malatswai, Sehunuo, Kedia, Khwee, Otse, Mokgenene, Manxotae, New Xade, Kgomodiatshaba and Kuke.
Speaking at a signing ceremony for the partnership this week, Rural Development Council secretary, Berzack Maphakwane said the initiative would go a long way in promoting community development, healthy living and food security among remote communities.
“The initiative is also testimony to the pursuit of government’s long-standing goals of rural development, as well as being in full alignment to the government’s RESET and Transformation agenda,’ he said.
He said the partnership would contribute towards the achievement of building resilient, inclusive and sustainable local economies in the country’s most remote areas.
For his part, Green Gem founder, Raymond Matsake said the initiative would not only create 10 direct jobs would ensure that these jobs were protected from becoming redundant as a result of the pandemic.
“In these 10 settlements people will be trained on how to run vegetable businesses using hydroponics by Green Gem staff while Palms for Life will fund the project,” he said. “The first 10 rural settlements will run as a pilot study which will aim to evaluate adverse events and improve upon study design hopefully prior to performing of the full-scale project in six constituencies.”
Palms for Life is a not-for-profit entity whose mission is to improve access to education, food, water and sanitation for vulnerable communities, using a human rights approach. Green Gem is a horticultural farm and landscaping business based in Gaborone established by Matsake and his wife, Lesego.