But why has the project attracted such attention, especially that backyard gardening is not a new concept? In other countries such as Zimbabwe, it is normal to have a backyard garden even on no man's land between residential houses and roads. Even in Botswana, the concept is not new. I will refer to AgricNews of October 10, 2002 which carries an article titled "Homestead garden provides vegetables essentially needed for household nutrition." This article chronicles how a certain Mr O. Mphahudi of Agro-business Consulting and Development Company was practising backyard gardening at his house in Gaborone. The industrious Mphahudi not only grew vegetables but also herbs, raised chickens and rabbits and was a beekeeper. He recycled water from the kitchen and bathroom.
In this way, his was an island of biodiversity. The article went on to say former the President and the First Lady (The Mogaes), ministers, MPs and FAO officials visited his urban farm. He was conducting demonstrations for schools and senior government officials. One may then ask why did it take 10 years for government officials to appreciate and embrace backyard gardening as a potential means of poverty eradication? Or why did we have to wait for the arrival of President Khama to realise the potential of backyard gardening? Does this suggest lack of acknowledgement of local talent or it merely suggests blindness to creativity?
