Please see photos right at the bottom as well

CONTENTS

Introduction

1) Training

   a) Attendance

   b) Training Curriculum

   c) Student Performance/Certification

2) Veggie Tunnels Implementation and Set-up

   a) Planting

   b) Budget

   c) Feeding Plan for the centre

Continued Monitoring

Conclusion

Introduction

Emmanuel Muyumba was contacted by the Sunshine Centre for a veggie tunnel garden in Walvis Bay and he took them through a planning and budgeting phase, which the MANICA GROUP sponsored.

The centre is located at the old hospital in Walvis Bay. After the hospital was closed down, different organizations settled in such as the Tuberculosis Centre, Women and Child Abuse and the Sunshine Centre. This centre cares for children with disabilities, some on wheelchairs, some mentally challenged and so on. Since these children could not go through with academic training, the centre was started to enable them to get skills that will empower them for life. The centre offers classes to the children from the age of 5 to young adults. They learn art, needle work, carpentry, communication and other necessary skills that will empower them. With the arrival of the veggie tunnel at the centre their skills will increase even more.

It was interesting to see that the children were actually doing well through practical training, despite the disability challenge they have. They participated in setting up the tunnel and in planting the bags.

Due to the physical condition of some the children in the centre, being in a wheelchair, the veggie tunnel was placed in a specific way, to allow them in and out. And, rather than fitting in 800 bags which is the amount of bags that goes into a 3.8m by 12m tunnel, we placed 610 planting bags. This created a walk space of 1m on both sides of the lines in the bags. Someone on a wheelchair could easily go in and out and still be able to plant and water the plants.

1) Training

On Monday the 19^th of July 2013, 20 candidates formed part of the Micro-Garden/Veggie Tunnel Production training organized by the Sunshine Centre and was presented by Emmanuel Muyumba. The MANICA GROUP sponsored the training and Garden Implementation.

This training was conducted to enable the centre to start food production, mainly vegetables, for the consumption of the children and to manage a green scheme. The veggie tunnel concept has entered this coastal part of Namibia through this centre, with the aim to provide nutritional food to the center and to educate the children in the skills of gardening. The establishment of this garden will not only benefit the centre but vegetables will be availed to them as well, at an affordable price.

The excitement of the children of the centre proved the commitment they made to learning and going through the practical learning. With this garden in their possession, they will even be able to supply fresh produce to the stores and the community.

a) Partakers of the Training

There was a total of 22 students. The majority could not go through every detail of the veggie tunnel concept but they all went through the practical learning. Out of the group 6 were selected to be managing the garden and to pass on their knowledge.  

b) Training Curriculum

Introduction to Horticulture/Micro-garden/Veggie tunnel production

i) Veggie-tunnel

Definition of a Tunnel

Basic layout of a Tunnel

Maintenance of a Tunnel

Descriptions

Soil Selection

Water usage

Fertilizer

Seedling Mix

Seed Selection

Harvesting and Crop Cycles

Vegetable Groups

ii) Pest and Diseases

Aphids

White Fly

Red Spider Mite

Fungus

Nematodes

Frost

Mildew

Rusts

   Extras:

Data Harvest Recording

Practical Learning - Setting up and down of a tunnel

Watering and Bag filling up

Cleaning up the surrounding of the garden

As mentioned, the training lasted for a period of 7 days and students showed their devotion and commitment to learning.

Students were left with notes and had to go home with homework, as a learning assessment for the trainer to see if he could improve the level of understanding.

2) Veggie Tunnels Implementation and Set-up

a) Planting

Emmanuel Muyumba implemented the garden by setting up the veggie tunnel with the assistance of students. The number of veggie tunnels that was set in Walvis Bay is four measuring 3.8m by 12m, each containing 610 planting bags. Seeds that were planted in these tunnels are: Spinach, Beets, Carrots, Onions, Broccoli and Cauliflower. Students were fully involved in the planting of the crops and thus they implemented the skills received during the training. Emmanuel participated in the planting but supervised mostly.

b) Budget

The budget for the garden was of a total of N$ 75 000. This included the materials for the garden such as the net, watering equipment, pipes, seeds, soil, germination mix, fertilizer and training equipment.

c) Feeding Plan for the community

This garden that has been implemented will be 75% feeding scheme and the rest an income generating option for the centre to sustain the project. The total number of members of the centre together with the gardeners that will benefit will be 100.

Continued Monitoring

Emmanuel’s involvement with the community of Walvis Bay ended after implementing the garden, monitoring it for a period of 1 week and training the students in the correct skills of veggie-tunnel production. This was mainly due to the budget that was made available by the sponsors.

Emmanuel made the following Recommendation to the offices of the MANICA GROUP and the SUNSHINE CENTRE: To consider a fund for follow-up that will lead to a better sustainability and improvement of skills in the veggie tunnel production. This fee should be for a follow-up after 8 months. The amount requested is N$ 2 500 and the benefits will be:

To provide further guidance in the planting cycles

Implement and monitor a planting calendar and crop rotation

Provide further training opportunity for the gardeners

To help the gardeners with effective marketing

To help in case of pest and decease attacks in the garden

Monitor the growth of the plants for a successful harvest

To initiate different gardening activities/methods for the centre to practice 

Ensure sustainability of the project

Boosts the motivation of the gardeners in gardening

Ensures a monthly progress report from the trainer to the sponsors

During this phase an irrigation system was proposed to be initiated at the centre.

Conclusion

The newly established veggie tunnel will be fenced off and kept under the management of the centre which is very necessary. Sustainability should be maintained with follow-up visits as these tunnels need regular monitoring and added training.

Emmanuel Muyumba

Trainer of Trainers in Urban Horticulture

Hope Village Namibia

+264813899866

P.O Box 4774

Windhoek

Namibia