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Rand Water’s environmental brand, Water Wise, has undertaken various research projects to investigate water saving practices on urban food gardens in Gauteng. The purpose of the research is to bring sustainability to food gardens and encourage gardening communities to take advantage of the opportunities presented by their unique environments. 

Since the implementation of organic communal food gardens is guided by the principles of sustainability, permaculture and water conservation, Water Wise is also offering basic horticulture training to local communities. The training covers, among others, technical awareness such as water wise irrigation, crop rotation, companion planting, soil preparation, composting and mulching. 

One of the urban food gardens that is being researched by Water Wise is the Siyakhana Organic Food Garden (SOFG) based in the inner City of Johannesburg. The research focuses on comparing the yield of vegetables to the water used in the production process. It is one of the flag-ship projects that is commercially viable and easily accessible to members of the public. The SOFG is also lauded as an excellent platform for urban gardening research and training. 

Other water conservation education initiatives supported by Water Wise include non-urban food garden projects such as the Kanguru Institute for the Disabled in Garthview; the Tshepong Old Age Centre in Sebokeng; the Mould, Empower & Serve Shelter in Johannesburg as well as various community gardens in the Vaal. The Water Wise team has also collaborated with the Agricultural Research Council on a number of food gardens in Mpumalanga Province. 

Water Wise is responsible for research and offers environmental edutainment to learners and educators. 

Issued by Rand Water