Likhutlong Nutrition Club in Mosalemane constituency said the establishment of key-hole gardens is the best way to cultivate vegetables and to promote healthy eating practices at household level.

This was said by Likhutlong Nutrition Club Chairperson Mrs. Marethabile Nkhets’e during an interview with LENA on Tuesday.

Mrs. Nts’ekhe said having realized that the country is encountering a prolonged drought, they saw a need to find an efficient way to produce fresh vegetables for household consumption and the key-hole gardening style was found to be the key to unlock the improved nutrition practices in their areas.

She pointed out that rural areas are rocked by cases of malnourished children and that is a clear indication that healthy eating practices are not observed, hence the initiative to unite as a group of 13 women to promote the use of key-holes for sustainable crops production.

Mrs. Nts’ekhe said their aim is to nurture a healthy nation by targeting nursing mothers and to advocate for change in eating habits in their respective communities.

Sharing the same sentiments, Mrs. Mabokang Mohale said the key-holes are easy to maintain, accessible and they occupy less space as compared to the traditional row gardening style and raised bed gardens.

Mrs. Mohale said if every household can have a key-hole garden, together they can win the battle against poverty and hunger.

One of the nursing mothers and also a member of the nutrition club, Mrs. Mareitumetsi Mohapi said since she joined the club she knows proper ways of preparing the food without destroying the nutrients.

Mrs. Mohapi said despite their small sizes, keyhole-gardens are capable of feeding their respective families with fresh vegetables throughout the year, adding that they can also serve as a source of income generating projects.

Likhutlong Nutrition Club was founded in 2021 as a savings and lending scheme, but along the way it changed to the nutrition club after attending a number of agriculture and nutrition related training sessions.