The people of Tamil Nadu experience the effects of climate change with prolonged droughts, erratic monsoons and the resultant food security fears. Food prices run at about 30% inflation throughout the state. One way we have met this problem is by encouraging villagers to grow organic kitchen gardens.
Learning to grow their own
Villagers attend courses organised by the women’s self-help groups on vegetable growing and composting. They learn how to conserve their precious resources such as harvesting grey water. Every year thousands of packets of seeds, purchased by us, are sold for small amounts of money; those who can’t afford to pay are given some for free.
The food and nutritional benefits of growing your own
Two years ago a five-acre demonstration garden was set up at Anbu Illam – our school for 75 differently-abled children. Along with training, the garden provides food for the children who are also involved in growing vegetables. Another 104 schools have kitchen gardens so a new generation is now growing up learning about the importance of food production and healthy eating.
The kitchen gardens are just one of many environmental schemes.
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