Keyhole Gardens Improve Nutrition in Milenge

By Linda Mupemo




            Picture for illustration purposes
 

 Milenge District Food and Nutrition Officer Cephas Zulu says the department of Agriculture has made progress in setting up keyhole gardens in the area in a bid to promote good nutrition. 


Mr. Zulu noted that keyhole gardens are a solution to the human-animal conflict which is hampering gardening in the district. 


ZANIS reports that Mr. Zulu said some residents in the 15 agricultural camps have set up keyhole gardens at their homes. 


He stated that keyhole gardens consist of raised beds and can be easily fenced hence livestock cannot graze the produce. 



Mr. Zulu added that the organic manure used retains moisture in the soil all year round making them manageable off the rainy season. 


"A keyhole garden is a raised bed which is at least two meters in diameter with a cutout area shaped like a keyhole, used to water the garden. The beds are made of layers of ash, soil and organic manure such as chicken droppings or animal waste. They are cheap to make as they use local available materials," he said. 



Mr. Zulu observed that some members of the community are suffering from nutritional deficiencies caused by inadequate consumption of vegetables. 


He is hopeful that setting up keyhole gardens in the community will improve access to vegetables at household level. 


And Kelvin Nkhata, one of the farmers who has a keyhole garden at his home said the garden has been a good source of vegetables for his family. 


Mr. Nkhata added that a keyhole garden is easy to manage as it uses local materials including waste water. 



"The structure is constructed in such a way that the water being poured in the hole is purified hence we can use any type of water such as the one being used for washing dishes and clothes. This is good especially in areas that have limited access to water," he said. 



He urged more members of the community to consider setting up keyhole gardens as a reliable source of vegetables for home consumption and even for sell. 






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