For the past three years, Mamta Bai from Village Badjhiri, District Bhopal (M.P.), has been cultivating a Nutrition Garden—a small but powerful source of fresh, homegrown food for her family. With support from Solidaridad’s Good Farming-Good Food-Good Health (GFGFGH) programme and guidance from Para Workers, she has once again developed a nutrition garden this year.

 

A Nutrition Garden is more than just a plot of land; it is a key to food security and better nutrition, ensuring easy access to a variety of fruits and vegetables. In her garden, Mamta Bai grows ladyfinger, sponge gourd, bottle gourd, tomatoes, chilies, brinjal, garlic, onion, coriander, and fenugreek leaves. By growing her own produce, she has successfully reduced her vegetable expenses from ₹500 to ₹250 per week, all while providing fresh, nutritious meals for her family twice a day.

 

With the advice of GFGFGH team Mamta Bai has replaced chemical fertilizers with natural alternatives such as ash, buttermilk, and neem liquid; thereby adopting regenerative agriculture. She recalls one such incident when ants attacked my crops, I effectively controlled them using boiled neem leaf water, a natural solution I learned through training sessions.- Says Mamta.

 

Her journey has not only transformed her household but has also inspired her neighbors. Many now seek her advice on farming, and she generously shares her knowledge and fresh produce, encouraging others to embrace healthy, chemical-free cultivation.

 

Recently, she expanded her harvest to include papaya, peas, carrots, and radish, further enriching her family’s diet. Motivated by her success, Mamta Bai now plans to expand her garden, taking yet another step toward self-sufficiency and a healthier future.