I was really interested to read recently that over 15% of the world's food is produced by micro-farmers – organic and biodynamic backyard gardens, community gardens or small farms. That's higher than I thought. It makes me kind of proud to have one of those gardens in our backyard, even if we have to share a large percentage of it with the snails.

Most of us have heard of Abalimi Bezekhaya (Farmers of Home) co-founded by Rob Small, which has started nothing short of a micro-farming revolution in the townships of Cape Town, investing in organic micro-farming in order to end poverty – no fewer than 100 community gardens and 3 000 micro-farmers in Cape Town alone.

These same farmers supply half their produce to the well-known organic box delivery scheme, Harvest of Hope with packing sheds in Phillipi. Abalimi assists and trains want-to-be farmers, groups and community-based organisations to start and maintain permanent organic food growing.

Rob has also founded the Farm & Garden National Trust. The Trust will give ongoing help to organic micro-farmers in poor communities; its main thrust being to foster self-help by creating jobs for people. The extra bonus, of course, is that it also improves people's health because they're eating organically grown vegetables.

It is this same Trust that supports Abalimi, although this is just the start for the Trust as its longterm aim is to replicate, promote and support this type of activity countrywide so that the micro-farming movement can grow into a thriving community in South Africa.

Just think, at the moment South Africa imports more food than it exports. That makes us terrifically vulnerable to food price hikes and food shortages.

If we could all start our own home vegetable gardens, or if we made a concerted effort to buy fresh, organic produce direct from local micro-farmers, or supported local markets and retail outlets that source from micro-farmers – imagine the power of micro-farming! We could change the face of South Africa's food production completely.

How Abalimi works
For R50 per farmer per year, thousands of home gardeners at survival level each receive a start-up and follow-up pack of manure, seedlings, demo’s and free advice. Farmers who want to upgrade their gardens from a survival to sustainable subsistence level can do so within two seasons after an intensive 4-day basic agricultural course, which costs between R600-R4 000 per farmer depending on what they need.

R4 000 supplies a complete start-up pack of manure, seeds, seedlings, tools, irrigation equipment and windbreak plants, as well as free ongoing advice and on-site support visits.

And Rob turns no-one away. Often people can afford little more than a registration fee, which is where the Trust and Abalimi step in. They raise funds for bursaries.

Rob's model: on 100m2 of land, a micro-farmer can grow enough seasonal fresh vegetables all year round to feed a family of five, permanently.

How we can help
Donate a once-off or regular amount (this is also tax deductible) to the Farm & Garden National Trust, or make a bequest by adding the Trust as a beneficiary to your will.

You can also volunteer to pack boxes at Harvest of Hope, work in a community garden or offer your professional skills to the Trust's micro-agri business and training programme.

For more about the Trust visit farmgardentrust.org/
contact: 021 801 9677