The message came in at8 PM at night. It was a series of garden photos of Swiss chard, beets, and cabbages that were in rough shape. The Swiss chard was mostly yellow in colour and clearly stressed. The beet and cabbage leaves were completely disintegrated with holes made by some type of pest. The photos came with an urgent plea to diagnose and solve the problems. This type of message is a regular occurrence for us at the Inundo Farm. We see images of crop failure and devastation that highlight to us the many challenges that people continually face in their attempts to grow food all over Africa.
Some people might overlook these phone messages and think that there are more important things to do with their time than deal with moth-eaten vegetables. But for us, these photos are symptomatic of what is happening on a larger scale in South Africa and beyond. People are struggling to grow food, and it is directly impacting the food security picture on the continent. In God‘s Kingdom, this is an issue of justice. In Africa, more than 1 in 5 people face hunger on a regular basis. Food and nutrition are foundational human needs yet in South Africa, most youth don’t view agriculture as a desirable occupation. In the country of Ethiopia, we are seeing many turn away from farming due to repeated crop failures, land degradation, and economic losses.
Some little-known facts pertaining to agriculture:
All over the world, farmers are turning to a zero-till method of farming to protect the health of soil. Even though we have decades of success in Canada in zero-till agriculture, many people are surprised to learn that ploughing is not an optimal method of farming.
These principles above have yet to take root in the areas where we work. As a result, crops, gardens, and people are suffering.
So, when we receive yet another phone message with pictures of devastated vegetables and crops, our hearts break. With farming and gardening methods that work in harmony with creation, many of these planting challenges can be addressed. It’s critical to share such healthy and sustainable methods of farming and gardening but trainers are desperately needed.
SIM has established a strategic focus around the area of poverty alleviation through food sustainability and is actively advocating for global engagement. The Inundo farm is one of the SIM partners developing a team of trainers who are able to multiply themselves and teach people these vital agricultural skills. Trainers are equipped with the Farming God’s Way tool, which combines food sustainability training with biblical teaching that connects God’s heart for people and the land, directly to their ability to provide food for their families.
In March 2024, a Farming God’s Way national leaders’ gathering was held in conjunction with Inundo and 50trainers-in-training took their next steps in building their skills. Inundo then did a follow-up training in May with 6 of the developing Kwazulu-Nataltrainers. Now as we head into spring in South Africa, we have three regional trainings scheduled throughout the province being run by those six trainers with the potential to impact more than 75 community members! God is going before us and multiplying our efforts. From one gathering in January to three dispersed gatherings in August and September, many more people will have the opportunity to learn these lifegiving skills. With Farming God’s Way, these upskilled trainers are taking the message of God‘s love and provision into local communities. Already, the change in some of the photos sent to us is noticeable. We are beginning to see hope thriving and renewal catalyzed. All glory to God!
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