Veggie Tunnels

Veggie Tunnels United Congregational Church of South Africa – South Africa Synod Kei Region, South Africa For many areas in which the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) has a presence, food security is a real issue. Finding ways in which the church can make a difference and assist in helping people and communities feed themselves is a major part of the church’s ministry. One new and innovative way is the use of veggie tunnels in the UCCSA’s South Africa Synod. The veggie tunnel system is a simple project that allows people to grow their own vegetables in a relatively small area. The project is centered in an innovative low cost shade tunnel that measures 4 x 9 meters. While this project is very successful in rural areas, its small size even allows it to be used in congested urban zones. Long life cropping is undertaken on a simple hydroponics system in the veggie tunnels. Seed or seedlings are planted above ground in bags, in either sand or untreated wood chips. Twice daily, a liquid fertilizer is applied to each plant. A range of vegetables can be grown, including spinach, tomatoes, peppers, and beans. Excess produce is easily marketed within the local community. It is not uncommon for 1000 large spinach leaves to be harvested each week from one veggie tunnel. Each tunnel costs approximately $650. This includes the tunnel structure, bags for planting, delivery, set up, seedlings for the first crop, fertilizer, training, and either sand or wood chips as a growing medium. The tunnels are purchased through a non-governmental organization based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Training is provided along with the supplies. Several veggie tunnels have already been set up in the Kei Region, one of the most impoverished regions of South Africa, with the technical advice and support of Global Ministries missionary, Jon Barnes. Each of these is doing very well with their first spinach crop; and each is providing locally grown food for their communities. The tunnels at the Samaritan Care Centre are a great example, as they are providing much needed nutrition to those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Because of the success of these initial tunnels, there has been a strong desire by other communities in the Region to see this project started in their areas. Preference for new veggie tunnel sites will be given to those sites in which the presence of tunnels would directly benefit schools and/or health clinics. As noted above, the cost of one tunnel is $650 and comes complete with set up and the training of the local implementers of the tunnels. Donations To make an online gift to this project click here and select South Africa – Veggie Tunnels from the designation list. To make a gift by check to this project click here.