The Falls and Local Community Benefit from “Going Green”
on December 19, 2011
Since September 2008, Sun International has lent its support to the efforts of a Livingstone community organisation called Care to Care. The project, supported by Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP), the University of Stellenbosch, Top Turf and FullCycle, is aimed at using worm farming to establish sustainable plant growth. The project, based at The Falls Resort, has been an overwhelming success, benefiting community and hotels alike.
Making Worms Work
The worm farming project grew out of Care to Care’s desire to find a cost-effective way of producing nutritious vegetables for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Thanks to Sun International and The Falls Resort, it has grown into a full-scale community business project, generating income and practical education for those involved.
The Falls houses the worm farms on site, in a garden hut that shelters the worms from the equatorial climate. The farm produces an incredible 300 litres of liquid compost and 900kg of vermicompost every week. Some of this is used for the resort’s pot plants, rose garden and herb garden. The rest is sold to other members of the project for a nominal fee, who in turn produce 80% of the resort’s fruit and vegetables, providing them with a home industry.
Natural Fertiliser – Making The Falls Better
The project has been a success not only in assisting the local community, but also for the resort itself. Executive Chef of The Royal Livingstone, Alexander Coupy, has noticed an improvement in the quality of the hotel’s herbs since being cultivated on natural worm fertiliser. Musowe Davis, who runs the rose garden, has noticed miraculous results since switching to vermitea (a liquid fertiliser made using worm castings). The roses at The Falls have been brighter and more beautiful than ever.
The Falls is excited to continue expanding the project, helping the local community and improving services and surrounds at The Royal Livingstone and The Zambezi Sun.
