Implementation of Kitchen Garden Component through Shah Sachal SACHAL sami Foundation under Sindh Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Project – SIAPEP
SHAHEED BENAZIRABAD
The Sindh Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Project (SIAPEP) is an initiative of the Government of Sindh in Pakistan that the World Bank is funding. Its primary goal is to improve irrigation water management at tertiary and field levels in the province by adopting modern irrigation practices such as drip irrigation and laser land leveling equipment. By doing so, the project aims to increase the productivity and efficiency of the agricultural sector in the region. As a part of its efforts towards community development, the Shah Sachal Sami Foundation (SSSF), a non-profit organization in Pakistan, has partnered with the SIAPEP project to strengthen the role of women in agriculture. The SSSF is focused on creating sustainable solutions for the betterment of society with a particular emphasis on women and children. Under this partnership, the SIAPEP project is implementing a kitchen garden program to help meet the nutritional needs of families in the region. A well-maintained kitchen garden can provide fresh vegetables, and with the help of drip irrigation equipment, it can be a reliable source of fresh produce for families. The distribution of kitchen garden drip irrigation kits is being provided to 200 landless Harees and female-headed households through the SIAPEP project. Each kitchen garden drip irrigation kit comprises of drip irrigation equipment for a plot of 20*20 ft, including a small water storage of 200 liters with a conveyance pipe for daily water provision. A tool kit is also included, which contains an iron bucket, spade, plastic bucket, and hoe, as well as seeds and fertilizer for 3 seasons (10 varieties of vegetables). This kit is designed to enable families to grow their vegetables and fruits at home, making use of any available space, including garages, gardens, basements, and any other empty rooms nearby the home.
The Sindh Government, with financial support from the World Bank, is implementing the SIAPEP project, and the Kitchen Garden of the component of the SIAPEP. The SSSF has done identification of kitchen gardening beneficiaries is being done through community-level analysis and household surveys as per the approved criteria and the KG activity exclusively designed for poor rural women and female-headed households, with female beneficiaries being prioritized. The SSSF is working towards the overall objective of the project, which is to improve the nutritional and socio-economic status of the farming community in the Shaheed Benazir Abad district of Sindh. The prime objective of the project interventions is to raise awareness and educate the community about nutritional matters, encouraging them to take responsibility for their own nutritional needs. The project aims to target potential beneficiaries who are interested in establishing kitchen gardens for family nutrition and have the willingness to sell any surplus produce at later stages. The selection criteria for direct beneficiaries will focus on women groups who have access to a small piece of agricultural land for kitchen gardening and are willing to install the Drip Irrigation Kit, with a permanent source of safe and sweet water for irrigating vegetables. The project also seeks to involve experienced and interested persons in kitchen gardening who agree to participate in kitchen gardening training and the whole process of project activities. The Shah Sachal Sami Foundation team has selected 200 landless Harees and female headed households as beneficiaries for the Kitchen Garden project to ensure that the distribution of the kitchen
garden drip irrigation kits is done efficiently and fairly, the SSSF has implemented a selection process based on community-level analysis and household surveys and as per the selection criteria received from PIU SIAPEP. The selection criteria for direct beneficiaries have been focused on poor rural women who have an availability of 20*20 sqft plot inside or outside the house for kitchen gardening and are willing to install the KG drip irrigation kit, with a permanent source of safe and sweet water for irrigating vegetables.
SUCCESS STORIES
BasheranKhaton’s story is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. She refused to let poverty and disaster define her fate, and instead, she charted her own path towards success. With the help of SIAPEP and SHAH SACHAL SAMI FOUNDATION, Basheran transformed her bleak circumstances into a thriving kitchen garden. Her unwavering dedication and hard work paid off, as her garden flourished and provided her family with fresh produce and a steady source of income. But Basheran’s success didn’t end there. Her leadership skills and determination inspired a group of women to join her in her gardening endeavors, and together, they transformed their community. They not only grew enough vegetables to support their families but also generated a significant income by selling their produce. Basheran’s story is a beacon of hope and a reminder that with perseverance and the right support, we can overcome any obstacle. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of hard work, determination, and community support. Let her story be an inspiration to us all, to never give up on our dreams, and to always believe in our ability to create a better future.