Ryan Atchia, a 36-year-old landscape designer and founder of Garden of Earth, is on a mission to promote the creation of edible gardens in Mauritius. His vision is to encourage people to grow their own food, whether in their backyard, on a vacant plot, on the roof, or in pots. Atchia's initiative is an extension of his company, Next Level, which he founded to organize events and parties. However, his passion for sustainable living led him to explore the concept of edible gardens.
Atchia's journey to becoming a landscape designer was not straightforward. After completing his secondary education, he worked in various roles, including as a transport and logistics manager for the Club Med. He later moved to Italy, where he worked on small projects, and then traveled to several European countries, including Switzerland and France. His interest in plants and sustainable living grew during a trip to the Seychelles, where he was inspired by the lush natural environment.
Atchia's experience in France, where he worked with a landscaping company, Betula Paysage, further solidified his passion for sustainable living. He completed a course in landscape design and worked on various projects, including maintaining gardens and green spaces. However, he felt that something was missing – the edible aspect. He then pursued an online course with Natura-Dis, a distance learning school specializing in environmental and natural sciences.
Atchia's career took a significant turn when he secured a contract with Idverde France, a leading European landscaping company. He worked on maintaining the lawns of the Camp des Loges, the training center of Paris-Saint-Germain, and the Parc des Princes stadium. This experience not only boosted his confidence but also exposed him to top football players like Lionel Messi. However, he was concerned about the chemical treatments used on the lawns and decided to focus on organic gardening.
Upon returning to Mauritius in 2022, Atchia founded Garden of Earth, a landscaping company that promotes edible gardens. He assembled a team of six gardeners skilled in organic farming and edible plants. The company offers customized services, including designing and planting edible gardens for homeowners with vacant plots. Atchia's goal is to empower people to grow their own food and use sustainable practices.
Garden of Earth has already completed several projects, including an edible garden prototype in Daruty, where Atchia lives. The company has also worked on projects in Petit-Raffray and Balaclava, and is currently developing another edible garden in Baie-du-Tombeau. In addition to landscaping services, Atchia offers educational workshops on organic farming, permaculture, and edible plants.
Atchia's vision extends beyond Garden of Earth. He is working on a larger project called Mycélium, which aims to bring together families and plant experts to promote sustainable living. Through his initiatives, Atchia hopes to inspire Mauritians to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and take control of their food production. By promoting edible gardens, he believes that individuals can make a positive impact on the environment and their own health.
Key points
- Ryan Atchia's Garden of Earth initiative encourages Mauritians to create edible gardens at home.
- Atchia's vision is to promote sustainable living and empower people to grow their own food.
- Garden of Earth offers customized landscaping services and educational workshops on organic farming and edible plants.
