Agroecological garden opens in Molenbeek

Molenbeek boasts a new agroecological garden with the opening of 'ZinTo'. Agroecology is a sustainable approach to farming that takes into account the complex web of ecological interactions. ZinTo, located in the river bed of the former 'Petite Senne', focuses on urban agriculture for the production of healthy and sustainable food.

The new urban garden takes the place of the dried up, man-made arm of the Senne river, known as the Petite Senne or Zinneke. It features a 2,000 square metre area reserved for the cultivation of plants, fruits and vegetables. Additionally, three greenhouses and a rainwater collection system grace the site.

The goal is to harvest up to 100kg of food a week. While most of the produce is reserved for the nearby Bel Mundo restaurant, some will be sold at local organic farmer's markets.

"But the municipality is planning to launch a series of projects that will allow local residents and children to also get their hands dirty in the garden, but that's for the future," says Virginie Pochet of the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean to Bruzz.