Ministry urges families to grow own food for better health, cut costs

Home gardening is about more than planting seeds; it is about cultivating self-reliance, improving health and strengthening communities.

Ministry of Agriculture Principal Agriculture Officer Northern Sujendra Prasad made the comments while opening a one-day home gardening initiative training programme at the Agriculture Office in Labasa on Wednesday.

Addressing participants involved in backyard vegetable gardening and selling produce at the Labasa Market, Mr Prasad said studies show that eating fresh produce reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are becoming increasingly common in Fiji.

"Every dollar we save from not buying imported vegetables can go towards school fees, home improvements or community projects," Mr Prasad said.

"A small garden can produce enough food to feed a family and even provide surplus produce to sell at the local market.

"Home gardening allows us to preserve traditional crops such as cassava, dalo, bele and rourou, foods that connect us to our ancestors and our land."

Mr Prasad said home gardens also provide an important safety net as climate change continues to affect Fiji.

"If supply chains are disrupted by storms or floods, our gardens can still feed us," he said.

"The truth is, the more we invest in our gardens, the less we will depend on outside sources."

He said home gardening represented a commitment to caring for families, health and the environment.

Mr Prasad encouraged participants to work towards making their communities places where every home has a garden and where children grow up appreciating fresh food and healthy lifestyles.

"Let us plant today, so we can harvest tomorrow — not just food, but a stronger, healthier and more united community," he said.

Participant Yamna Wati of Nakama, Labasa, who attended the training with her husband Prakash Chand, thanked the ministry for supporting backyard gardeners.

"At this old age, this is our only source of income and gardening also helps us stay healthy. We would like to thank the ministry for donating eggplant, capsicum and Chinese cabbage seeds," Ms Wati said.