Home-grown Food
By Khalid A.
London UK
These days, the BBC is running a TV program to encourage viewers to grow vegetables in their gardens, courtyards and flower pots. Even a few bricks removed from a paved courtyard can provide a cultivable area.
This excellent idea should be propagated on Pakistani TV channels as well. If millions of people follow this practice, their individual efforts will add up to give a huge boost to national food production. Also, the people could save on their food purchases. Some crops grow easily and profusely. ‘Arhar daal’, spinach and ‘toaree’ (courgette) are three such examples.
I would suggest that all open spaces in schools and offices should be utilized for food production. I have seen this practice in Nigeria where practical farming classes are held for school children. We should teach farming methods to students of all ages, who should be encouraged to participate in competitions and win prizes in recognition of their efforts. This will also bring urban children closer to nature and be a very healthy pastime.
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