The Miss Earth Guyana Organization is using a kitchen garden project, dubbed “Project Plant,” to get persons to occupy their time while saving money and connecting with the environment during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
According to franchise holder Omesh Balmacoon, the first phase of the project was launched two weeks ago. “The project was something that we had planned for a little while. Just a couple of weeks back, we were able to put a bit more thought into it,” Balmacoon said during a telephone interview.
“We didn’t do it because of the organisation being focused on the Earth. We noticed that the COVID-19 outbreak led to a lot of people being at home and there isn’t much that people can really do. So we saw this as an opportunity for persons to be at one with the Earth and also occupy their time,” Balmacoon said, when asked the aim of the project.
He noted that their goal is also to get persons to save money by starting their own garden.
He also said that persons who may not be knowledgeable about planting and gardening can receive tips on the organisation’s Facebook page or by contacting members of the organisation, as they are tagged when the Miss Earth Guyana Organisation Facebook posts about the project.
Balmacoon also said that they are seeking to particularly help persons who may be at a disadvantage, such as those in single-parent and low-income homes, who could save money by growing a kitchen garden. The organisation is distributing gardening kits to those persons at no cost.
Balmacoon added that others who are simply interested in starting their own garden can also reach out to the organisation and purchases “Project Plant” packages.
Distribution of the packages is being done by small teams once the packages are prepared. At the time of the interview yesterday, Balmacoon explained that there were small groups sent out to Linden, the West Bank of Demerara and the East Coast of Demerara for distribution in those areas. He further noted that today a team will be going to Berbice to distribute packages.
A starter kit consists of seeds, seedlings, fertiliser and potting soil. There are different package options. The kits that go out to single-parent and low-income homes are free of cost while other persons get the kit for free but pay $1,000 for delivery. If persons want a seed box included, the price is $3,000, while a space saving plant box package costs $15,000.
