ABSTRACTPoverty and food insecurity are generic to the rural communities of poor countries in the sub‐Saharan African region. South Africa, with its huge rural population, is not excluded from poverty. In the Thaba Nchu area of the Free State Province, South Africa, where the study was conducted, 54% of the population was food insecure in 2006 owing partly to high unemployment, low levels of education and collapsed agricultural production, amongst other things. In order to contribute towards the reduction of food insecurity, agricultural techniques, specifically the in‐field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) technique, suited to the climate were introduced and households were encouraged to use these on their homestead gardens. This was done to help improve food production and ensure household food security. This paper reports on the rapid spread of the IRWH technique amongst households in the Thaba Nchu area. Household members obtained the necessary skills to apply the technique in an innovative manner in their homesteads to produce a variety of cash and vegetable crops. Results indicated that excess produce could be sold on local markets, which could promote sustainable livelihoods among the adopting households.