35 Women participated in practical session on Kitchen Gardening organized jointly by Sindh Agriculture University Sub Campus Umerkot and Strengthening Participatory Organization
Umerkot, Sindh
Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Sub Campus Umerkot, in collaboration with the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), has introduced an initiative to sensitize women and girls from rural area about the value and commercial potential of kitchen gardens. This collaborative effort included a practical demonstration and on-job session on kitchen gardening, with the participation of 35 women, including five young girls.
The purpose of joint initiative was to empower women by providing them with the enough knowledge and skills necessary to establish and maintain kitchen gardens, which can serve as a sustainable source of food and income for one family. The kitchen garden practice is designed to enhance food security, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and support the economic empowerment of women in the Umerkot region.
The SPO and SAU teams organized a visit to a designated location of Ramji kolhi, Umerkot for a hands-on demonstration of kitchen gardening and how to grow successful KG model. This practical demonstration provided the women with visions, efforts into the establishment and maintenance of a kitchen garden.
Sindh Agriculture University Sub Campus Umerkot supported to Strengthening Participatory Organization the initiative by providing transportation point (bus service) free of cost, including fuel. Additionally, the university’s experts assisted in the demarcation, leveling, and preparation of the kitchen garden plot.
During the visit, the women received comprehensive on-job, physical demonstration on various aspects of kitchen gardening and fruit bearing plant. This included instructions on sowing seeds, preparing the soil, and creating a commercially viable kitchen garden. The SPO and SAU teams sensitized the women about the benefits of kitchen gardening, both for personal consumption to fulfill the nutrition need and commercial purposes.
By involving women and young girls in this joint initiative, the action targets to promote gender equality and ensure that women have a voice in climate adaptation strategies. The knowledge and skills gained from this practical demonstration will enable the women and girls to contribute to their communities’ resilience against climate change.
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Saleem Chang, representative from Sindh Agriculture University, highlighted the importance of such initiatives, stating, “Empowering women through sustainable agricultural practices is crucial for achieving food security and economic stability in our Umerkot.
Amjad Baloch Regional Coordinator from SPO added, “SPO’s collaboration with SAU is a significant step towards inclusive climate action. By equipping women with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are nurturing a more resilient and self-sufficient community.”
Resham from Ramji Kolhi shared, “With dedicated effort and hard work, we can secure the future of our family. This kitchen garden helped me fulfill my nutritional and economic needs. My husband and I are earning 2000 daily, and our children and we are happy. We also learned to grow seasonal vegetables, which will support us economically throughout the year. (PR)
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