Food production through efficient urban agriculture including hydroponics and aquaponics
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Siyakhana works towards financial self-sufficiency through a social-enterprise model
Evans Muchesa
The Siyakhana Food Garden, our flagship project, is regarded as one of the most successful urban food gardens in the wider Johannesburg metropole, as well as a hallmark of intersectoral collaboration. This is largely because of its mission to make far-reaching impacts at local, provincial, and national levels. It is not simply a garden; it also serves as a platform for other activities that address the following five key objectives:
- Improving the availability of a wide variety of good and nutritious food;
- Conducting relevant and appropriate action-research that is influencing policy and strategies;
- Offering training to develop capacity among emerging leaders in the area of food gardens and sustainable livelihoods;
- Engaging in advocacy and networking activities; and
- Achieving financial sustainability through a self-funding social entrepreneurship model.
Our aims are to:
- Address food and nutrition security;
- Promote public and environmental health;
- Enhance entrepreneurship; and
- Support and enable sustainable smallholder enterprises.
Last update: 05 Feb 2021
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Impacts
The SGD and Siyakhana Organic Food Garden (SOFG) are recipients of prestigious awards:
- The SGD was awarded the most innovative and promising locally led eco-inclusive enterprises
- in developing and emerging economies prize from the SEED AWARD 2019.
- The SOFG was awarded the best innovative project and community-based project prize by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture in 2011.
Our work also furthers the following skills and activities:
- Knowledge and skills transfer and building capacity especially amongst black women and youth;
- Job creation;
- Stimulation of local economies;
- Building future leadership across the spectrum of the food value chain; and
- Relevant research that informs policy and strategic interventions.
We have established many food gardens in several settings promoting dietary diversity. This is a direct and effective way to enhance food availability, accessibility and affordability.
Area of land farmed: 2.4 ha
Number of people included in the program: 7 permanent and 6 casuals
Amount of food grown: c. 6.4 tonnes per annum
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 1 – No poverty
SDG 2 – Zero hunger
SDG 3 – Good health and well-being
SDG 4 – Quality education
SDG 5 – Gender equality
SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation
SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals
