Mbuyi Tshielantende wants the farm to grow food that will provide an important link between Africans and their former homes, and also become a social enterprise involving migrant and refugee communities in Parramatta, Holroyd and Blacktown.

But for Mr Tshielantende's project to succeed, he needs a high-powered tractor.

He's started growing a variety of vegetables on the 1.6-hectare land at Schofields, including amaranthus, a spinach-like vegetable called epinard, white African corn, okra, pumpkin leaves, sweet potatoes and cassava.

"When we meet as a community, we share meals. Every community has their own dishes and there is a special feeling when we share them - it's natural," Mr Tshielantende said.

Vegetables formed a large portion of the African diet, Mr Tshielantende said.

"Mutete, a bitter tasting vegetable is good for the pancreas and helps to stop diabetes because it balances the taste buds and you don't feel like eating much sugar after.

"Here, people are looking for mutete but cannot find it.

"Their children are developing a taste for sweet things because they are not eating it regularly and it's leading to unhealthy lifestyles."

Mr Tshielantende is in the process of finding out what seeds he can import into the country as many are not available.

"He will soon involve Africans in the farming process.

"For us this is a social activity. Many older Africans settled here used to be farmers and now they don't have that opportunity to work on the land, so for them it's a recreational activity.

"There are some younger people who would like to do farming but don't have the skills. Here they will be able to learn and get hands-on experience."

Mr Tshielantende's qualifications as a mining engineer in the Congo were not recognised in Australia, so he completed two courses in agriculture at Richmond TAFE.

Now working as a cleaner part-time, Mr Tshielantende said it was difficult leaving his privileged career behind after the Congo's unstable government forced him to leave.

Mr Tshielantende started the African Food Project out of love for his people, despite not getting any financial benefits.

He has received support from Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Services, Parramatta and Blacktown councils and other community organisations.

"As a people, we are very ambitious and I know these communities need this so I will help in any way I can."

* To help Mr Tshielantende or to donate a tractor or money, phone Ellen Cahill on (02) 9631 1777.