Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions, founded by Josephine Katumba, is an urban agriculture social enterprise based in Johannesburg, South Africa, whose mission is to reconcile city dwellers to their food and environment through urban agriculture. The #WONDER initiative is launching this month which invites city dwellers to experience the #Wonder of food. Whether you have a small balcony space or a backyard, Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions will assist you in creating your own edible wonderland.
Founder Josephine Katumba says, “At Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions, we see food as a wonder, and one of the best ways to come to this reckoning is by growing our own food. Our mission is to have a community of 60 000+ urban farmers by summer 2021 (1% of Johannesburg population). In order to achieve this mission, this spring, we are launching our #Wonder campaign.”
Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions develops innovative and creative urban farming solutions to be implemented where clients live, learn, work and play. Services range from Virtual Garden Coaching Sessions, to In-Person Consult & Design, DIY Materials and Coaching, and Turnkey Urban Garden Services.
Speaking about what makes this new #Wonder campaign so different, Josephine says:
“At Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions we believe that now more than ever our cities need Resilience, Community and Hope. Experts are predicting that in the next coming months, close to half the population of South Africa will be food insecure. Our #WONDER initiative is different because we see the challenges as an opportunity to change the way we have done things in cities for so long. Urban farming is more than just growing vegetables, it grows communities, increases resilience and has even shown to improve mental health. Our initiative comprises all these #WONDERful benefits. We aim at bringing communities together whether it be a homeowner growing to share with their community or companies looking at alternative ways to use their under-utilized space. Furthermore, we aim to bring awareness on both physical and mental health through urban gardening. Most importantly, however, we want to instill a sense of hope. When people experience the wonder of growing their own food then they to can have a hope for the future.”
Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions has set as its mission for the #Wonder initiative to have a community of 60 000+ urban farmers by the summer of 2021. From schools to workplaces and individuals, the aim is for the community to be a sharing community - this means sharing tips and advice, through to possibly even sharing food.
Josephine adds, “I read a beautiful quote by Audrey Hepburn that states "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow". That really sums up what this #WONDER initiative is about. It’s about believing in tomorrow. Believing that our bodies will heal, our communities will heal, and that our planet will heal.”
For those interested in getting involved and beginning their urban farming journey, they can fill in the following form https://forms.gle/6cn1KcaSqDS3DJtG6
Alternatively, they can email Josephine@bufs.co.za for potential partnerships.
To find out more about the work of Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions and the #Wonder initiative, visit the website http://www.bufs.co.za or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bufsolutions/
