EDITORIAL: BACKYARD GARDEN INITIATIVE TICKS ALL THE RIGHT BOXES

Our front page for Wednesday August 6th features an initiative by the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (PLAHI) about the national Backyard Garden Program.

Commendations are in order for Hon. Min Johany S. “Jay” Ebanks for leading this drive as a key component towards achieving food security in the Cayman Islands.

This new community-driven effort aimed at increasing household-level food security and sustainable gardening ticks all the right boxes - including the ‘grow-boxes’. It effectively sows the seeds for a fresh approach to the longstanding mantra of ‘growing what we eat and eating what we grow’.

Not only is this initiative timely, it’s also very necessary especially in a world of tariff wars and supply chain disruptions which contribute to higher prices for the essentials we import.

During the election campaign there were many platform pronouncements about finding alternative sources for our vital food supplies with their high import and shopping bills.

Now, as demonstrated by Min. Jay Ebanks and the Department of Agriculture, the answers have been literally at our feet and our fingertips just waiting to be ‘harvested’.

“This pilot initiative, delivered in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, provides participating households with free Grow Boxes, soil, seeds, and basic guidance to start their own backyard garden. The program targets a wide range of Caymanians — from retirees and families to urban residents and eco-conscious youth.”

“We believe food security begins at home,” said the Hon. Minister Jay Ebanks. “By equipping individuals and families with the tools to grow even a small portion of their own produce, we’re investing in a more resilient, self-sufficient future.”

That effectively sums up the goal of this initiative.

We applaud the outreach to retirees, families, urban residents and eco-conscious youth. This is not just a matter of all hands on deck, it’s all hands in the soil. Not only is there practicality in ‘growing what we eat and eating what we grow’, but there’s also the potential to earn. That should appeal to all, especially retirees, by also providing an income boost from selling excess produce to neighbours and others. Need we mention the health benefits not only from producing organic foods, but equally importantly from the exercise gained in pottering about in backyard plots and tending to grow boxes. It also adds to the Cayman community spirit.

In a proverbial ‘nutshell’ this is a win-win-win for all.

So, let’s all get involved; get planting, get reaping and get eating.

We urge everyone to get their applications in to the Department of Agriculture for your supplies of free Grow Boxes, soil, seeds, and basic guidance to start your own backyard garden.

Applications remain open until 30 August or until supplies last. The Ministry encourages all eligible Caymanians to apply early and be part of a growing movement toward sustainability.