Ecobreves – HONDURAS: A Boost for Community Gardens

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Mar 12 2011 (IPS) - The Honduran capital's city government is setting up organic community gardens to improve food security in low-income neighborhoods, given the forecasts for local food shortages resulting from climate change and deforestation. The program initially involves about 10,000 people in 20 poor neighborhoods in Tegucigalpa, and focuses on the cultivation of vegetables and soybeans, as a nutritious, low-cost food, municipal alderwoman and project promoter Doris Gutiérrez told Tierramérica.

“We are using practical and simple methods, like organic fertilizers, garbage recycling and planting in used tires or other items available to the communities,” she said.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supports efforts to producing food in urban areas. Predictions indicate that in 30 years Honduras will face serious food security problems.