Village Garden Training
We had heard something of Freedom gardens on our last visit to Malawi, so we decided to visit on our way north this time. The place is a natural wonder in a sea of dust and drought, an eye opener and an example to Malawi of what can be achieved with patience, agricultural know-how and a good sprinkling of hard work.
Dr Chinkhutha, (an honorary doctorate for his work on the gardens) the director of the gardens, wasn’t there on the day, so his wife Christina showed us around with the pride and enthusiasm you might expect. She explained their approach to irrigation, crop-rotation and pest control. She gave us a few strawberry plants to grow and a marigold flower to dry for seeds She explained that they use marigold flowers for pest control.
I asked her: “Do you train people here?”
“Yes, it costs 1000 kwachas per person per day for accommodation, food and training”.
“Can I send two people for five days?”
“Yes”.
During that simple exchange I had a plan for the first “village garden”.
“Can I leave you 10,000kw and something for seeds of my trainees’ choice?
“Yes”, she replied a third time: Deal done, everyone happy. I counted out the “heap” of grubby notes and we hit the 7 km of dusty, spine re-aligning road heading for the tarmac and Mzuzu, thinking wonderful things can happen here!
10,500 kwachas (€58.33) had covered an all-expenses paid trip to this wonderland of life-giving horticulture innovation.
What would Chief Kaunda think?
Out in Elamouleni, the following day, I had my answer:
“That’s your piece of land, between the two trees and up to the channel” he informed me.
“Great”, I said. “Can you select a man and woman to go to freedom gardens to learn about organic farming? It’s all paid for. My hope is that, on their return, they will teach in all of your villages.”
“No problem”, was his immediate reply adding, “We will choose wisely”.
I am awaiting a report on the experience. (30 km from phone, fax and net!)
The only drawback to this exciting development was the cost of transport. Two return bus tickets cost a whopping 5000 kwachas! Considering transport is equal to half the overall training cost, I thought we can have a similar horticultural facility in Mzuzu. I looked at two possible sites, neither of which was suitable, but the search goes on in my absence.
St John of God’s are willing to make their horticultural expertise available and some of their Client/Graduates are more than capable of starting and developing such a facility. The structure and format have yet to be worked on, but this project will be a runner and a success. Br Aidan has said so and we all know what he has achieved to date.
I feel this amazing Tipperary man should have at least a garden called after him. The name could be “Clonmel Gardens” or “Tipperary Gardens”. We will consider all offers for sponsorship!
As well as being a model farm for alternative crops, I envisage such projects as soil-enrichment planting, tree nurseries and seed production, together with irrigation techniques, pest control, erosion protection and post-harvest, crop protection using natural methods and products.
As a result of our involvement with water projects, I see this “Br Aidan Garden” as an ideal location for training in pump maintenance, well construction and other low tech and sustainable systems, allied to simple sanitation techniques.
Using land not suitable for mainstream agriculture, I hope to plant trees like Moringa and Jatropha Curcas, which grow in poor, dry soil, in order to assess their potential for bio-diesel production. I am, at present, seeking information on other peoples work to date in this area.
I fear that I may have to get back to my Chemistry books again!
