EC SKZN Interim Report | Mahlathini Development Foundation

APPENDIX : EASTERN CAPE AND

SOUTHERN KZN PROGRESS REPORT

CA Farmer Innovation Programme for

smallholders.

Period:October 2019 - February2020

Compiled"by:"

Erna"Kruger,"Mazwi"Dlamini"and"Hendrik"Smith"

February"2020"

" "

Project"implemented"by:"

Mahlathini(Development(Foundation(

Promoting"collaborative,"pro-poor"agricultural"innovation."

Contact:""Erna"Kruger"(Founder"and"Director)"

Address:"2"Forresters"Lane,"Pietermaritzburg,"3201,"KZN"

Email:"info@mahlathini.org"

Cell:"0828732289"

Time"of"operation:"2003-2016"

Legal"status:"NPC"

BEE(status:""4."–"Certificate"available."

In"collaboration"with:"

Funded"by:"

" "

Table&of&Contents&

Executive"Summary"..........................................................................................................................................................."4

Background"and"Organisational"Information"........................................................................................................."4

Key"activities:"October"2019-February"2020"........................................................................................................."6

Progress"............................................................................................................................................................................."6

Budget"..................................................................................................................................................................................."10

Overall"trial"design"process"........................................................................................................................................."10

Year"1:"........................................................................................................................................................................."10

Year"2:"........................................................................................................................................................................."11

Year"3"onwards:"......................................................................................................................................................"12

Soil"fertility"........................................................................................................................................................................."12

Rainfall"and"run"off"plot"readings"............................................................................................................................."16

Progress"per"area"of"implementation"....................................................................................................................."17

Introduction".................................................................................................................................................................."17

Madzikane"(Creighton)"............................................................................................................................................."18

Mr"Cosmas"Xaba"....................................................................................................................................................."18

Ofafa".................................................................................................................................................................................."19

Phathisile"Ndlovu"..................................................................................................................................................."19

Nyasa"Ndlovu"..........................................................................................................................................................."20

"............................................................................................................................................................................................."21

Springvalley"..................................................................................................................................................................."21

Bonginhlanhla"Dlamini"........................................................................................................................................"21

Ntombifuthi"Shoba"................................................................................................................................................"21

Emazabekweni"............................................................................................................................................................."22

Sekhutlong""(Matatiele)"............................................................................................................................................"23

Matsepo"Futu"..........................................................................................................................................................."23

Mamolelekeng"Lebueoa"......................................................................................................................................."24

Tsoloane"Mapheelle".............................................................................................................................................."24

Sikhulumi"........................................................................................................................................................................"25

Noluthando"Pili"......................................................................................................................................................."25

Early(maturing(maize(varieties"............................................................................................................................."25

Stakeholder"forum"and"innovation"platform"......................................................................................................."26

Field"visits"......................................................................................................................................................................"27

Presentations"................................................................................................................................................................"28

Village"Level"Savings"and"Associations".................................................................................................................."29

Cooperative"formation".................................................................................................................................................."30"

Executive)Summary)

Ninety-three"(93)"of"129"participants"have"planted"their"farmer"level"trials"across"11"villages,"

with"limited"support"for"inputs"form"the"KZN"LandCare"unit."Summer"cover"crop"and"livestock"

fodder"farmer"level"experimentation"have"been"included"for"a"selection"of"the"villages,"as"has"

planting"of"short"season"maize"varieites"to"accommodate"for"late"onset"of"summer"rainfall."

One"awareness" day" has" been" run" with" the" Madzikane" Stakeholder" Forum" in" association" with"

KZNDARD,"LandCare,"Cedara"Soils"Lab"and"the"Famring"Systems"unit."

Rain-gauges"and"run-off"plots"have"been"installed"for"a"selection"of"participants"in"Madzikane"and"

Spring" Valley" and" soil" fertility" (15" repeat" samples"and" 11" new" samples)" and" soil" health" (7"

participants)"samples"have"been"taken"and"analysed."

Crop"growth"monitoring"has"been"undertaken"for"around"3"to"6"participants"in"each"of"7"villages.""

Background)and)Organisational)Information)

Mahlathini" Development" Foundation" (2003-2019)" is" one" of" the" only" NGOs" in" South" Africa"

focussing" on" promoting" collaborative" pro-poor" agricultural" innovation." As" such" MDF" is" a"

specialist" NGO" working" in" the" fields" of" participatory" research," training" and" implementation,"

focussing"on"agroecological"approaches.""

Introduction"of"CA"into"any"farming"system"requires"the"creation"of"a"process"and"environment"

of"continuous"innovation,"learning"and"change"in"a"number"of"different"areas,"including"social,"

economic,"environmental"and"agronomic"considerations."In"the"smallholder"context"it"requires"

the"design,"introduction"and"facilitation"of"a"reasonably"complex"IS"(innovation"system)"approach"

by" the" implementers," and" of" practice," labour" and" resources" (including" natural" and" financial"

resources)"by"the"farmer"that"has"system"wide"implications."There"is"an"interplay"of"a"number"of"

different"factors,"all"of"which"need"to"be"integrated,"thus"requiring"a"well-designed"and"facilitated"

IS"approach."

The"IS"model"applies"a"family"of"approaches"and"methodologies,"such"as"the"Farmer"Field"School"

(FFS)" approach" and" participatory" monitoring" &" evaluation" (PM&E)," to" facilitate" awareness,"

learning,"implementation"and"research"all"together."The"key"voluntary"participants"of"this"process"

are"farmers"from"a"locality"or"village"who"should"be"organised"into"learning"groups"(farmers"

generally"are"already"organised"into"structures"such"as"savings"and"credit"groups,"associations"or"

cooperatives)." A" number" of" farmers" in" that" group" volunteer" to" undertake" on-farm"

experimentation,"which"creates"an"environment"where"the"whole"group"learns"throughout"the"

season"by"observations"and"reflections"of"the"trials’"implementation"and"results."They"compare"

various" CA" treatments" with" their" standard" practices," which" are" planted" as" control" plots." This"

provides"an"opportunity"to"explore"all"aspects"of"the"cropping"system,"its"socio-economic"context"

and"feasibility,"as"well"as"the"grain"and"legume"value"chain"in"the"area.""The"whole"value"chain"is"

considered:"input"supply,"production"aspects,"harvesting"and"storage,"processing"and"marketing"

Horizontal"expansion"(scaling"out)"from"village"nodes"to"surrounding"farmers"and"villages"in"the"

area,"working"with"organised"farmer"groups"(or"IPs)"in"collaboration"with"stakeholders"in"the"

region"has"shown"great"promise"for"expansion"of"interest"in"and"longer"term"sustainability"of"the"

implementation"of"CA"practices"among"smallholders.""It"means"that"a"number"of"villages"in"close"

proximity" become" involved" and" this" provides" an" opportunity" for" organising" farmers" around"

issues"in"the"value"chain"such"as"bulk"buying,"transport,"storage"and"marketing."It"creates"an"

option"to"set"up"farmer"service"centres"at"central"nodes"that"can"provide"easy"access"to"inputs"and"

services."The"model"also"provides"for"learning"over"a"period"of"time,"which"has"proven"essential"

to"allow"each"participant"farmer"to"experiment"with"and"master/adapt"the"CA"principles"for"at"

least" 4" years." The" more" experienced" farmers" become" mentors" to" the" new" entrants" and" some"

undertake"the"role"of"local"facilitation"and"support"to"their"villages"and"groups."It"also"provides"a"

platform"where"other"farmers"and"interested"parties"in"the"area"can"engage"and"become"involved"

In"this"season"(2019-2020)"we"have"focused"on"the"following"elements"of"the"model,"namely:""

a)Support"farmers"who"are"in"their"1st,"2nd,"3rd""and"4th"seasons"of"implementation,"

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b)Conscious"inclusion"of"crop"rotation"to"compare"with"intercropping"trials"

c)Inclusion"of"summer"cover"crops"in"the"crop"rotation"trials"

d)Continuation"with"experimentation"with"winter"cover"crops,"but"planted"in"separate"plots"

rather"than"in-between"maize"

e)Initiation"of"a"livestock"CA"fodder"strip"cropping"demonstration"trial,"for"production"of"

winter"fodder"and"grazing"and"as"an"erosion"control"practice"

f)Initiation"of"nodes"for"farmer"centres"that"can"offer"tools,"input"packs"and"advice"and"

g)Initiation"of"a"marketing"Cooperative"in"Ngongonini."

Key)activities:)October)2019-February)2020)

Implementation"has"continued"in"three"southern"KZN"areas"(Matatiele,"Creighton,"and"Ixopo)"in"

11"villages."Plaatestat"and"Nokweja"have"been"discontinued"due"to"dwindling"interest."Learning"

group" numbers" in" Springvalley,"Ofafa"and" Emazabekweni" have" increase"by" 13,"22"and" 3"new"

participants"respectively."The"partnership"with"KZNDARD"has"been"initiated"and"a"fodder"strip"

cropping"CA"trial"has"been"set"up"in"Madzikane.""Support"for"the"3"existing"VSLAs"has"continued"

and"included"small"business"development"training."Two"more"VSLA’s"have"been"initiated;"one"in"

Ofafa"and"one"in"Ngongonini.""A"marketing"cooperative"has"been"established"in"Ngongonini."This"

cooperative"also"plays"a"central"role"in"input"supply"and"distribution"as"well"as"management"and"

use"of"shared"CA"equipment"and"is"in"the"beginning"stages"of"being"set"up"as"a"farmer"centre"for"

the"area."

The"stakeholder"forum"in"Madzikane"has"been"continued"and"a"farmers’"day"was"held"on"the"11th"

of"December,"including"stakeholders"such"as"KZNDARD,"LandCare"representatives,"the"Farming"

Systems"Unit"at"Cedara"and"the"LED"section"of"the"Nkosazana"Dlamini"Zuma"LM.""

Soil"fertility"samples"have"been"taken"for"11"new"participants"in"Ofafa"and"repeat"samples"have"

been"done"for"15"participants"across"3"villages."Soil"health"samples"have"been"taken"again"for"a"

selection"of"participants"(5"participants"across"3"villages)"for"%SOM"analysis"as"well"as"a"range"of"

other"soil"health"indicators."

Progress'

"The"project"is"now"operational"across"11"villages"across"Matatiele"and"SKZN,"with"a"significant"

increase"in"learning"groups"and"participants"as"mentioned"above."

The"basic"experimental"design"was"followed"for"all"1st"year"participants"and"most"of"the"2nd"year"

participants" as" well." Variations" for" 3rd"and" 4th"year" participants" have" included" crop" rotation,"

intercropping,"summer"and"winter"cover"crop"mixes,"planting"of"lab-lab"beans,"fodder"crops"and"

late"season"planting"of"beans."

The" table" below" outlines" activities" related" to" objectives" and" key" indicators" for" the" period" of"

October"2019"-February"2020.""""""""""

Table 1:!SUMMARY&OF&PROGRESS&(OCTOBER&2019&-&FEBRUARY&2020)&RELATED&TO&OBJECTIVES&AND&KEY&ACTIVITIES%

Objectives*

Key*activities*

Summary*of*progress*

%* completion*

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0.:) 7;099) Q=71.-77) :-<-9,2;-.4) 0;,./)

1.:1<1:=09)7;0998,9:-3)>03;-37)

N%,.41.=-:)7=22,34)>,3)H)(G]M7)0.:)74034)

=2),>)F).-A)(G]M7)KR/,./,.1.1)0.:)!>0>0L)

N) G-4) =2) ,>) )F) ;03I-41./) 5,,2-3041<-) 71.)

R/,./,.1.1) )0.:) ;W:X1I0.-_) 4,) 40I-) ,.)

3,9-),>)>03;-3)5-.43-)

N)G;099)Q=71.-77):-<-9,2;-.4)4301.1./)0.:)

;-.4,31./)>,3)*U))

203415120.47)

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&301.1./) 0.:) ;-.4,31./) 7=22,34) >,3) 04)

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50205146) ,3/0.17-) 9,509) >03;-37@) 9,/174157)

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4,2) :3-771./@) 2-74)

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<1990/-7@)

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4,) 7=22,34) 48-13) /3,=27) _)723061./@) 1.2=4)

7=2296)0.:):-91<-36@)29,4)906,=4@)0.:)53,2)

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G43-./48-.)0.:)

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0541,.) 0.:) %M)

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0.:)48-)>051914041,.)4-0;)077174)1.)751-.41>15@)

,./,1./) ;,.14,31./) KP=0914041<-) 0.:)

P=0.414041<-L) 0.:) 7=22,34) 4,) >03;-3)

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9-03.1./) /3,=27) 053,77) SNc) <1990/-7) _)

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723061./@) 1.59=71,.) ,>) >,::-3) 0.:) 5,<-3)

53,27@) -E20.71,.) 1.4,) 903/-3) 03-07@)

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:-<-9,2;-.4)0.:)-.43-23-.-=37812))

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'..,<041,.)2904>,3;)-<-.47+)

NW0:X1I0.-)740I-8,9:-3)>,3=;),2-.):06)_)

*H)Y-5-;Q-3)FZ*^B?)1.59=:-:):175=771,.7)

,.);-580.17041,.)KF)0.:)U)3,A)290.4-37L@)

74312) 53,221./) >,3) 2-3-..109) >,::-3)

,241,.7) 1.) 0) %M) 7674-;@) "=71.-77)

:-<-9,2;-.4) 7=22,34) 483,=/8) ]0.:%03-)

0.:) CdRYMOY@) %,,2-3041<-) 3-/1743041,.)

0.:) ;03I-41./) 483,=/8) OMG$&)

23,/30;;-)

"1N0..=09) 74--31./) 5,;;144--) ;--41./7)

KR,4):,.-)07)6-4L)

&A,) .-A) 1.4-3.7)

A148) WG5e7) 1.)

M/315=94=3-) 0.:)

G,19) G51-.5-) 80<-)

Q--.) Q3,=/84) ,.)

Q,03:)4,)077174B))

%3,2) /3,A48)

;,.14,31./) =71./)

48-) 2-.:30/,.) -N

7=3<-6) 807) Q--.)

5,.41.=-:) 4817)

7-07,.)

KSZ\)5,;29-41,.L)

))

)

KSZ\)5,;29-41,.L)

)

KSZ\)5,;29-41,.L)

A"performance"dashboard"is"indicated"below."This"provides"a"snapshot"of"performance"according"

to"suggested"numbers"and"outputs"in"the"proposal."

Table 2:&PERFORMANCE&DASHBOARD;&FEBRUARY&2020%

Outputs*

Proposed* (March*

2019)*

Actual* (Feb*

2020)*

R=;Q-3),>)03-07),>),2-3041,.)

R=;Q-3),>)<1990/-7)0541<-)

*H)

**)

R,),>)9,509)>05191404,37)

R,),>):13-54)Q-.->151031-7?)>03;-3)9-<-9)-E2-31;-.4041,.)

*UZ)

*F^)

D,::-3)431097)A148)CdRYMOY)

G40I-8,9:-3)$<-.47)

(09=-)5801.)7=22,34)

R,4):->1.-:)

S)(G]M7)KF).-AL)

F)%,,2-3041<-7)

M34159-7@)5,.>-3-.5-7)

*NH),>)-0)

*)Q,,I)58024-3)

G,19)70;29-7)

UZ)

HS)

The" table" below" summarises" the" planned" and" actual" farmer" level" experimentation"

implementation"for"the"2019-2020"planting"season."A"total"of"one"hundred"and"twenty-nine"(129)"

trial"participants"volunteered"through"the"planning"processes"across"11"villages"in"three"areas."

Ninety-three"(93)"of"these"farmers"planted"their"CA"farmer"level"experimentation"trials"(around"

72%"of"participants)."For"this"season"the"weather"was"variable,"with"late-onset"rains"and"large"

variability"in"rainfall"across"areas"and"time.""

Table 3:!SUMMARY&OF&FARMER&INNOVATION&NUMBER&AND&AREAS&PLANTED&PER&VILLAGE&IN&THIS&CA&PROCESS;&EASTERN&CAPE,&2019-

2020

M3-0)

(1990/-)

FZ*^)

4,409)

FZ*^)

*st)

9-<-9)

FZ*`)

Fnd)

9-<-9)

FZ*[)

Hrd)

9-<-9)

FZ*c)

Uth)

9-<-9)

FZ*S)

Uth)

9-<-9)

$E2-31;-.40N)

41,.)

%,;;-.47))

W04041-9-)

G-I8=49,./)

U)KHL)

)

'.4-353,221./)

7=;;-3) 0.:)

A1.4-3) 5,<-3)

53,27)

"=9-9A0)

YX1./A0) _) 9,509)

>05191404,3) >,3)

RI0=) 0.:)

G-8=49,./B) G8-)

807)5,.41.=-:)4,)

;0.0/-) 48-) %M)

-E2-31;-.4041,.)

1.) W04041-9-N))

5,.41.=1./) A148)

0) 7;099-3) /3,=2)

,>)203415120.47))

RI0=)

[)KUL)

)

WP8,Q1)

^)K*L)

)

C8=47,./)

*)K*L)

)

'.4-353,221./)

7=;;-3) 0.:)

A1.4-3) 5,<-3)

53,27@) 53,2)

3,4041,.@)

>,::-3)53,27)

&7,9,0.-)

W028--9-))

M.1;09) :30A.)

290.4-37) =7-:)

8-3-) 1.) 903/-3)

03-07)

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D03;-37)

M77,5041,.)

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7=;;-3) 0.:)

A1.4-3) 5,<-3)

53,27B) D,::-3)

74312)53,221./@)

F)3,A)290.4-3)

J034.-37812)

CA0R09=B) ],509)

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'.4-353,221./@)

7=;;-3) 0.:)

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53,27)

],509) >05191404,3?)

W7) g9-./1A-)

&8=71) BM3-0) 17)

81996) A148)

<0310Q9-)7,197)

)

$;0X0Q-IA-.1)

`)KSL))

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],509)D05191404,3?)

W3) ") Y90;1.1B)

M3-0)17)81996)A148)

<0310Q9-)7,197)

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G231./<099-6)

*^)

K*`L))

*H)

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10"

)

G4)$9,17)

*S)

K**L)

)

*F)

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$E20.71,.) 03-0)

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7=22,34-:)Q6)W3)

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J901.8199)

*H)

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*H)

)

R/,./,.1.1)

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*F^)

K^HL)

H[)

HU)

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&,409) 03-0)

290.4-:) 4,)

431097i)H@[F80)

Budget)

A"total"budget"of"R595"527"was"approved"for"this"project"by"the"Maize"Trust."An"amount"of"R357"

320"is"available"until"the"end"of"March"(1st"6-month"period)."At"the"end"of"January"and"amount"of"

R178"386" had" been" spent." The" project" is" slightly" underspent" and" well" within" the" limits" of"

expenditure.""

The"figure"below"indicates"expenditure"to"date."

Figure 1:Expenditure on the MT EC&SKZN SFIP budget October 2019-Janaury 2020

Overall)trial)design)process)

As"this"is"an"existing"‘technology’"the"farmer"level"experimentation"is"in"essence"an"adaptation"

trial"process.""

Year%1:%

Experimental"design"is"pre-defined"by"the"research"team"(based"on"previous"implementation"in"

the" area" in" an" action" research" process" with" smallholders)." It" includes" a" number" of" different"

aspects:"

BUDGET EXPENDITURE

Milestones/

Outputs

Key activities

OUTCOMES/

DELIVERABLES

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

Actual expenditure per

budget item

Pd grainSA

Research

Fodder trials and

sundries

R19 200R 17 933,79R17 933,79

Administraiton

and sundries

travel accommodation,

admin, puvlications,

monitoring and

evaluation

R97 312R 4 100,25R 25 222,00R 19 336,85R48 659,10

Farmer centred

innovation

systems

farmer

experimentation,

researcher managed

experimentation,

savings groups,farmer

centres…

R466 019R 42 132,58R 52 008,00R60 808,00R154 948,58

Innovation

platforms

Stakeholder meetings,

platform building and

events

R12 996R0,00

R 46 232,83R 52 008,00R 0,00R 80 144,85

R595 527R 72 352,00R 72 352,00R 53 154,00R 53 154,00R 53 154,00

Workplan budget Oct-SeptR 357 320,00

144 704,00R

R 197 858,00R251 012,00R304 166,00Actual 178 385,68R

Sub - TOTAL: Oct 2019-Sept 2020

INVOICES

Farmer

experimenta

tion

NorthEastern EC and SKZN Farmer Centred Innovation in CA. October 2019- September 2020

11"

•Intercropping"of"maize,"beans"and"cowpeas"

•Introduction"of"OPV"and"hybrid"varieties"for"comparison"(1"variety"of"maize"and"beans"

respectively)"

•Close"spacing"(based"on"Argentinean"model)"

•Mixture"of"basin"and"row"planting"models""

•Use"of"no-till"planters"(hand"held"and"animal"drawn)"

•Use" of" micro-dosing" of" fertilizers" based" on" a" generic" recommendation" from" local" soil"

samples""

•Herbicides"sprayed"before"or"at"planting"

•Decis"Forte"used"at"planting"and"top-"dressing"stage"for"cutworm"and"stalk"borer"

•Planting"of"cover"crops;"winter"mix"in"Autumn"

Experimental"design"includes"2"treatments;"planter"type"(2)"and"intercrop"(2)."See"the"diagram"

below."

Figure 2: Exampleof plot layout for the 1stlevel farmer trials

The" basic" process" for" planting" thus" includes:" Close" spacing" of" tramlines" (2" rows)" of" maize"

(50cmx50cm)"and"legumes"(20cmx10cm)"intercropped,"use"of"a"variety"of"OPV"and"hybrid"seed,"

weed"control"through"a"combination"of"pre"planting"spraying"with"herbicide"and"manual"weeding"

during"the"planting"season"and"pest"control"using"Decis"Forte,"sprayed"once"at"planting"and"once"

at"top"dressing"stage."

Year%2:%

Based" on" evaluation" of" experiment" progress" for" year" 1," includes" the" addition" of" options" that"

farmers"choose"from."Farmers"also"take"on"spraying"and"plot"layout"themselves:"

•A"number"of"different"OPV"and"hybrid"varieties"for"maize"

•A"number"of"different"options"for"legumes"(including"summer"cover"crops)"

•Planting"method"of"choice"

•Comparison"of"single"crop"and"inter"cropping"planting"methods"

•Use"of"specific"soil"sample"results"for"fertilizer"recommendations"

•Early"planting"and"

•Own"choices."

PLOT 1: Hand HoePLOT 2: Planter

Maize1, bean1Maize2,Bean1Maize1, bean1Maize2, Bean1

Maize1, Bean2Maize2, Bean2Maize1, Bean2Maize2,Bean2

PLOT 3: OR repeat plot 1 and 2PLOT 4:

Hand hoePlanter Hand hoePlanter

Maize1,cowpeaMaize1,cowpea

Maize1, Dolichos

Maize1, dolichos

Maize 2, CowpeaMaize 2, Cowpea

Maize2, Dolichos

10m or 5m

12"

Year%3%onwards:%

Trials"are"based"on"evaluation"of"experimentation"process"to"date;"to"include"issues"of"cost"benefit"

analysis,"bulk"buying"for"input"supply,"joint"actions"around"storage,"processing"and"marketing."

Farmers"design"their"experiments"for"themselves"to"include"some"of"the"following"potential"focus"

areas:"

•Early"planting;"with"options"to"deal"with"more"weeds"and"increased"stalk"borer"pressure."

•Herbicide"mix"to"be"used"pre"and"at"planting"(Round"up,"Dual"Gold,"Gramoxone)"

•A"pest"control"programme"to"include"dealing"with"CMR"beetles""

•Intercropping"vs"crop"rotation"options"

•Spacing"in"single"block"plantings"

•Use" of" composted" manure" for" mulching" and" soil" improvement" in" combination" with"

fertilizer"

•Soil"sample"results"and"specific"fertilizer"recommendations"

•Planting"of"dolichos"and"other"climbing"beans"

•Summer" and" winter" cover" crops;" crop" mixes," planting" dates," management" systems,"

planting"methods"(furrows"vs"scatter)"

•Seed"varieties;"conscious"decisions"around"POVs,"hybrids"and"GM"seeds"and"

•Cost"benefit"analysis"of"chosen"options."

Soil)fertility))

Soil"fertility"samples"are"taken"for"a"selection"of"participants"on"a"yearly"basis"for"the"following"

reasons:"

1.Samples"are"taken"for"new"entrant"CA"participants"to"ascertain"their"soil"fertility"status"

and"fertility"amelioration"needs."These"results"are"added"to"the"existing"database"of"

around"200"participants"for"SKZN"and"EC"to"determine"both"a"generic"recommendation"

for"the"area"and"to"ascertain"any"specific"requirements"for"individuals"for"whom"the"

generic"requirements"are"not"appropriate"

2.Repeat"samples"are"taken"for"participants"in"their"3rd"and"4th"year"of"implementation"of"

CA,"to"ascertain"any"potential"soil"fertility"differences"related"to"CA"when"compared"to"

conventional"cropping."

This"season"repeat"samples"were"taken"for"5"participants"from"Madzikane,"3"from"Springvalley"

and"3"from"Ofafa."The"results"are"summarised"in"the"figures"below"

13"

(NOTE:"RT=repeat"CA"trial"plot"and"RC="Repeat"Control"plot)"

Figure 3: Soil fertility results for 2016,2018 and 2019 for 5 participants from Madzikane (SKZN)

From"the"figure"above"for"Madzikane,"the"following"points"can"be"made:"

•The"pH"of"the"CA"trial"plots"have"increased"fractionally"between"2016-2019"(4,6"to"4,9),"

while"that"of"the"control"plots"has"decreased"fractionally"(4,2"to"4,0).""It"is"likely"that"the"

maintenance"lime"applications"(1t/ha"annually)"on"the"CA"plots"are"having"a"positive"

effect."This"practise"is"not"undertaken"on"the"control"plots"

•The"acid"saturation"percentage"in"the"CA"plots"has"decreased"significantly"(11,2%"to"

4,6%),"while"that"in"the"control"plots"has"increased"to"12,4%."This"is"an"interesting"

outcome,"related"potentially"not"only"to"the"application"of"lime,"but"also"to"the"balancing"

of"soil"minerals"in"solution"due"to"multi-cropping"option"used"in"the"CA"trial"plots"

•The"percentage"of"N"in"the"CA"trial"plots"has"increased"from"0,21%"to"0,38%"and"for"the"

control"plots"from"o,28%"to"0,35%.""As"the"soil"samples"are"taken"after"harvest"and"prior"

to"planting"and"fertilization,"this"figure"is"indicative"of"the"nitrogen"available"in"the"soil"

for"use"by"crops."The"proportional"increase"for"the"CA"trial"plots"is"20%"higher"than"that"

of"the"control"plots."This"is"an"outcome"of"the"increase"in"soil"organic"matter"as"well"as"

inclusion"of"legumes"and"multi-cropping"options"in"the"CA"system,"as"compared"to"

conventional"maize"production""

•Accumulation"of"organic"carbon"(%"Organic"C)"in"the"CA"trial"plots"can"be"seen"on"a"

yearly"basis;"2,86,"3,22"and"3,75"for"2016,2018"and"2019"respectively."This"indicates"an"

average"annual"increase"in"%"organic"carbon"of"0,5%"in"the"CA"system.""For"the"control"

plots,"the"increase"is"around"0,3%"on"average.""This"indicates"an"increase"in"carbon"in"

Madzikane Madzikane Madzikane Madzikane Madzikane

2016 2018 2018 2019 2019

RT RC RT RT RC

pH 4,60 4,16 4,32 4,94 4,04

N (kg/ha)40,00 60,00 60,00 60,00 60,00

P (kg/ha)40,00 40,00 42,00 23,00 20,00

K (kg/ha)19,000,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

Lime (t/ha)0,50 0,20 0,00 0,00 0,40

MAP (50kgbags/ha)3,28 1,80 1,80 2,08 1,80

LAN (50kg bags/ha)1,54 2,98 3,56 3,45 3,04

Org. C %2,86 3,30 3,22 3,75 3,60

N %0,21 0,28 0,23 0,38 0,35

Acid sat (%)11,2010,80 9,604,60 12,40

0,00

10,00

20,00

30,00

40,00

50,00

60,00

70,00

Axis Title

Madzikane Village; Soil fertility repeat samples 2016,2018,and 2019

14"

the"CA"plots"of"around"2,4t/ha"more"in"the"CA"system"as"compared"to"conventional"

cropping.""

•Fertilizer"requirements"for"the"CA"trail"and"conventional"control"plots"are"equivalent"for"

N"(60kg/ha),"P"(20kg/ha)"and"K"(0kg/ha)."

In"summary"it"can"be"seen"that"the"fertilization"system"for"the"CA"trial"plots"which"includes,"soil"

cover,"legumes"and"cover"crops,"rotation,"addition"of"maintenance"lime"and"micro-dosing"of"

fertilizer"has"a"beneficial"effect"on"soil"properties"such"as"acid"saturation,"pH,"%N"and"%"organic"

C,"when"compared"to"conventional"cropping"of"maize""with"fertilizer"applications"only."

(NOTE:"RT=repeat"CA"trial"plot"and"RC="Repeat"Control"plot)"

Figure 4: Soil fertilityresults for 2016,2018 and 2019 for 3 participants in Springvalley

From"the"figure"above"for"Springvalley,"the"following"points"can"be"made:"

•pH"and"percentage"acid"saturation"has"remained"stable"for"both"the"CA"trail"plots"and"

the"conventional"control"plots"between"2016"and"2019."

•Percentage"organic"carbon"has"increase"fractionally"for"the"CA"trial"plots"from"3,57%"to"

4%"between"2016-2019,"suggesting"an"annual"increase"of"around"0,2%"organic"C."For"

the"control"plots"the"figure"has"remained"stable"at"4%."This"result"is"similar"to"that"in"

Madzikane"indicating"a"2,4t/ha"increase"in"organic"carbon"annually"under"the"CA"

system."

•Percentage"N"has"increased"for"both"the"CA"trial"plot"and"the"conventional"control"plots"

by"around"0,5%.""

•Fertilizer"requirements"for"the"CA"trail"and"conventional"control"plots"are"equivalent"for"

N"(60kg/ha),"P"(40kg/ha)"and"K"(0kg/ha)."

Springvalley Springvalley Springvalley Springvalley Springvalley

2016 2018 2018 2019 2019

RT RC RT RT RC

pH 4,84 4,96 4,86 4,83 4,95

N (kg/ha)40,00 60,00 60,00 60,00 60,00

P (kg/ha)60,00 46,67 55,00 36,25 40,00

K (kg/ha)0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

Lime (t/ha)0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

MAP (50kgbags/ha)5,50 2,40 2,25 3,20 3,65

LAN (50kg bags/ha)0,70 4,30 3,90 2,80 2,60

Org. C %3,57 5,13 4,77 4,00 4,00

N %0,24 0,29 0,27 0,33 0,34

Acid sat (%)0,67 1,00 1,00 0,50 0,75

0,00

10,00

20,00

30,00

40,00

50,00

60,00

70,00

Axis Title

Springvalley village soil fertility repeat samples 2016,2018 and 2019

15"

In"summary,"for"Springvalley,"the"CA"system"has"shown"a"small"increase"in"availability"of"

organic"carbon"in"the"soil,"but"other"soil"properties"are"similar"to"those"in"the"conventional"

control"plots."

(NOTE:"RT=repeat"CA"trial"plot"and"RC="Repeat"Control"plot)"

Figure 5: Soil fertility results for 2016,2018 and 2019 for 3 participants in Ofafa

From"the"figure"above"for"Ofafa,"the"following"points"can"be"made:"

•pH"for"both"the"CA"trial"plots"and"the"conventional"control"plots"have"increased"from"

between"2016"and"2019,"by"about"0,5%."

•The"acid"saturation"percentage"has"however"decreased"marginally"for"the"CA"plots"

(O,7%)"and"increase"marginally"for"the"conventional"control"plots"(0,7%)."These"small"

differences"are"not"considered"significant"

•Percentage"N"has"decreased"for"the"CA"trial"plots"between"2016"and"2018"from"0,38%"to"

0,25%"and"then"increased"fractionally"to"0,28%"in"2019."For"the"control"plots"the"

increase"in"%N"between"2018"and"2019"has"been"more"significant;"0,21%"to"0,32%"

These"differences"are"difficult"to"relate"to"the"cropping"practices"employed."It"has"

however"been"noted,"in"a"sister"site"(Bergville)"that"the"multi-cropping"options"used"

under"the"CA"system"in"dry"years"can"lead"to"a"temporary"reduction"of"soil"nutrient"and"

water"availability."When"compared"to"mono-cropped"maize."This"could"explain"the"

present"results,"as"both"2017"and"2018"were"difficult"cropping"seasons"in"Ofafa,"while"

this"season"has"seen"more"and"more"even"rainfall."

•The"percentage"organic"carbon,"shows"a"sharp"drop"between"2018"and"2019"for"both"

the"CA"trial"plots"and"the"conventional"control"plots"from"5,5%"to"2,8%"and"4,9%"to"

2,9%"respectively."This"is"on"average"a"decrease"of"28t/ha"of"carbon"in"this"season"for"

Ofafa Ofafa Ofafa Ofafa Ofafa

2016 2018 2018 2019 2019

RT RC RT RT RC

pH 5,40 5,78 5,43 5,90 6,19

N (kg/ha)40,00 60,00 66,67 60,00 60,00

P (kg/ha)20,00 46,67 55,00 60,00 40,00

K (kg/ha)0,000,00 11,67 0,000,00

Lime (t/ha)0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

MAP (50kgbags/ha)1,80 1,80 1,80 5,50 3,60

LAN (50kg bags/ha)2,10 2,10 2,10 2,10 2,87

Org. C %3,77 4,93 5,50 2,80 2,87

N %0,38 0,21 0,26 0,28 0,32

Acid sat (%)0,67 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,67

0,00

10,00

20,00

30,00

40,00

50,00

60,00

70,00

Axis Title

Ofafa village osil fertility repeat samples 2016,2018 and 2019

16"

both"the"trials"and"controls."The"result"is"difficult"to"explain,"but"indicates"that"soil"and"

environmental"factors"here"have"strongly"outweighed"the"potential"differences"nad"

benefits"from"different"cropping"practices"

•Fertilizer"requirements"for"the"CA"trail"and"conventional"control"plots"are"equivalent"for"

N"(60kg/ha)"and"K"(0kg/ha)."P"requirements"for"the"CA"trial"plots"are"higher"than"the"

control"plots"at"60kg.ha"and"40kg/ha"respectively."

In"Ofafa,"there"has"been"no"visible"accumulation"of"N"or"org"organic"carbon"in"the"soil"when"

comparing"CA"trial"plots"and"conventional"control"plots."Difficult"weather"conditions"(late"onset"

rain,"heat"and"late"season"storms)"have"outweighed"the"potential"benefit"of"accumulation"of"

nutrients"and"organic"matter"in"the"soils"in"Ofafa."

Rainfall)and)run)off)plot)readings)

Rain"gauges"and"run-off"plots"have"been"installed"for"both"Mr"C"Xaba"in"Madzikane"and"Mrs"L"

Ngubo"in"Springvalley."The"farmers"have"undertaken"to"take"regular"readings"and"record"the"

data."

Below"is"a"summary"of"the"records"kept"by"Mrs"Letta"Ngubo."

Table%4:%Rainfall%events,%trial%and%control%run%off%readings%from%January%2019%to%February%2020;%Springvalley.""

Date*of*rainfall*event**

Amount*of*rainfall*

event*(mm)*

Trial*run*off*

reading*(litres)*

Control*run*off*

reading*(litres)*

29/01/2019*

30/01/2019*

04/02/2019*

HH)

*S@[)

10/02/2019*

FZ)

23/02/2019*

*Z)

01/03/2019*

10/03/2019*

FZ)

Z@S)

11/03/2019*

FF)

21/03/2010*

*S)

22/03/2019*

*Z)

27/03/2019*

Z@S)

08/04/2019*

FS)

23/04/2019*

US)

*@S)

Subtotal*

217*

10,5*

22,7*

06/11/2019*

FZ)

Z@S)

12/11/2019*

HZ)

F@S)

15/11/2019*

FZ)

*F)

16/11/2019*

04/12/2019*

FZ)

Z@S)

11/12/2019*

UZ)

Z@S)

13/01/2020*

cZ)

13/01/2020*

cZ)

17"

26/01/2020*

HS)

11/02/2020*

F[)

Z@S)

Z@^)

Subtotal*

317*

19,5*

40,9*

From"the"above"table"it"can"be"seen"that"the"rainfall"for"the"second"half"of"the"2018-2019"season"

was"217mm,"with"run-off"from"CA"trial"plots"and"conventional"control"plots"recorded"as"10,5"

and"22,7"litres"respectively."Run"off"in"CA"the"trial"plots"have"been"reduced"by"50%"when"

compared"to"the"conventional"control"plots."This"is"a"significant"reduction,"which"as"been"

mirrored"again"in"the"present"season"with"run"off"in"the"CA"trial"plots"and"conventional"control"

plots"measured"at"19,5"and"40,9"litres"respectively.""

The"overall"run-off"for"both"treatments"is"however"considered"to"be"quite"high"and"further"

improvement"is"still"possible.""Improved"soil"cover"and"soil"and"water"conservation"are"

considered"important"practices."

Below"are"two"graphs"illustrating"the"distribution"of"rain"in"Springvalley,"for"this"season."

Rainfall"in"November"2019"averaged"70mm,"in"December"40mm"and"in"January"2020,"90mm."

In"both"December"and"January,"the"bulk"of"this"rain"occurred"through"only"two"large"rainfall"

events.""Rainfall"in"November"2019"was"spread"more"evenly"across"4"rainfall"events."These"

results"provide"a"good"indication"of"why"the"overall"run"off"in"the"area"is"quite"high;"given"the"

intense,"large"rainfall"events"in"the"area."

Progress)per)area)of)implementation)

Introduction'

Planting"for"the"2019/2020"growing"season"commenced"in"the"last"week"of"November"2019,"due"

to"rains"arriving"later"than"expected."Inputs"were"successfully"delivered"in"all"villages;"St"Elios,"

eMazabekweni,"Plainhill,"Ngongonini," Spring" Valley," Ofafa,"and"Madzikane,"as"well"as"the"four"

villages" in" Matatiele." Local" Facilitators" again"played" an" important" role" in" ensuring" that"

participants"were"ready,"with"inputs"provided"and"assisted"in"the"spraying"and"layout"of"trials."

Figure 16: Springvalley rainfall distribution and run off reading; left; November 2019 and right; December January and February 2020%

18"

Field"staff"could"easily"attend"to"newer"groups"with"local"facilitators"holding"down"the"fort"in"their"

respective"areas."

Madzikane'(Creighton)'

Mr%Cosmas%Xaba%

Mr"Cosmas"Xaba,"the"Local"Facilitator,"has"continued"with"his"ten"plot"rotation"trial,"which"he"

started"in"the"2018/2019"season."This"design"was"meant"to"provide"for"options"for"production,"

soil"regeneration"and"fodder"production,"also"using"different"planting"methods;"summer"cover"

crop"(SCC),"bean"(B),"lablab"and"maize"only"plots"were"planted"using"the"Haraka"planter,"with"

intercrop"plots"planted"by"hand."Below"is"the"design"from"the"2018/2019"season."This"design"has"

been"rotated"clockwise"with"the"green"block"maintained"for"run"off"measurements."Each"of"the"

plots"is"14m"x"8m",with"the"entire"trial"making"1120m²."

%Figure%3:%Mr%Xaba%ten%plot%trial%design%2018/2019%

"""

Figure%4:%Mr%Xaba%ten%plot%trial%2019/2020%

This" year" we" changed" from" Sahara" ,which" is" a" maize" variety" they"have" been" using" since" the"

beginning"of"the"program"to"PAN"5A"95A"(a"medium"short"-season"variety)."We"had"planted"Gadra"

Maize-beans"

(5)"

Lab"Lab"

(4)(

Maize-cowpea"

(3)"

Maize""

(2)"

Maize"+beans"

(1)"

Control"plot"planted"with"maize"(at"homestead)"

SCC"

(6)"

Beans"

(7)"

Maize"-cowpea"

(8)"

Summer"cover"

crops"

(9)"

Maize"

(10)"

SCC"

(5)"

Bean"

(4)"

Maize-cowpea"

(3)"

"""""""""SCC"

(2)"

Maize"

(1)"

Maize-beans"

(6)"

Lab"Lab"

(7)"

Maize-cowpea"

(8)"

Maize"

(9)"

Maize-bean"

(10)"

Control"plot"planted"with"maize"(at"homestead)"

19"

beans"the"previous"season"and"this"year"we"planted"in"PAN"148"along"with"mixed"brown"cowpeas"

for"the"intercrops."Summer"cover"crops"included"a"mix"of"sunflower,"sunnhemp"and"millet.""

The"Madzikane"farmers"have"been"exposed"to"CA"for"a"number"of"years"prior"to"Mahlathini’s"

program." This" group" of" organized" farmers" belong" to" an" association" where" they" buy" inputs"

together" as" they" are" now" implementing" CA" on" larger" fields." The" introduction" of" the"two-row"

planter"has"proven"beneficial"to"the"smallholders"in"this"group"as"they"efficiently"and"effectively"

make"use"of"inputs"in"the"shortest"time"possible."This"implement"allows"farmers"to"plant"and"

finish"on"time."Below"is"a"picture"of"Simon"Dlamini’s"CA"plot"planted"using"the"two-row"planter."

Here"he"planted"yellow"maize"that"he"will"sell"and"feed"to"livestock."

Ofafa''

Phathisile%Ndlovu%

This"is"one"area"that"started"off"with"a"poor"performance"as"a"result"of"shallow"soils"and"poor"

fertility,"with"little"organic"matter"and"extended"dry"periods"with"high"temperatures"and"no"rains."

Trial" performance" has" improved" since" then," with" farmers’" believing" more" and" more" in" the"

process."Phathisile"Ndlovu’s"trial"last"year"did"very"well,"unlike"this"year"where"her"maize-bean"

and"maize-cowpea"intercrop"was"eaten"by"birds."Crows"and"weavers"ate"her"maize"crop"as"it"shot"

out" of" the" soil" and" she" has" had" to" replant" those" basins"leading" to" uneven" growth." Her" beans"

Figure5: Simon Dlamini's CA plot planted using the two row planter%

20"

germinated"and"are"growing"very"well."Her"maize-cowpea"plot"though"is"not"doing"as"well,"with"

less"than"2%"of"cowpea"germinating."Her"maize"on"the"maize-cowpea"intercrop"is"also"not"doing"

well" as" birds" feasted" on" it" and" she" has"

replanted" twice" already." This" could"

potentially"be"because"she"planted"very"

early’"on"the"21st"of"November"2019;"and"

not" a" lot" of" people" in" the" locality" had"

planted"as"yet."

Her"control"plot"is"looking"better;"which"

would"make"sense"as"she"planted"it"later."

Her"maize"is"now"above"knee"height"but"

she" will" not" be" top" dressing" it" due" to"

unaffordability." She" also" planted" using"

hand" hoes" with" MAP" as" basal" fertilizer"

applied"through"micro"dosing.""

Nyasa%Ndlovu%

Mrs"Ndlovu"is"a"first-year"participant"in"the"2019/2020"season"who"has"been"growing"maize"for"

as"long"as"she"can"remember."Over"the"years"she"realized"that"her"soils"were"slowly"losing"quality"

and"that"she"needed"to"change"how"she"treats"it."She"has"been"ploughing"and"pumping"in"cattle"

manure"in"her"fields."After"visiting"Mrs"Phatheleni"Ndlovu,"a"fourth"year"CA"participant"in"the"

2018/2019"season,"she"couldn’t"believe"the"tall,"dark"green"strong"maize"she"saw."She"was"then"

invited"to"the"meeting"where"she"put"her"name"down"for"the"current"season."Mrs"Ndlovu"planted"

her"trial"on" the" 29th"of" November" 2019" with" the" assistance" of" the" local" facilitator" and" her"

neighbours." On" the" 17th"of" January" we" visited" her" house" and" below" are" pictures" of" her" green"

healthy"maize"with"very"good"germination."Her"maize"is"under"stalk"borer"attack,"decis"has"been"

supplied"for"spraying"against"the"pest."

Figure 7: Right; Phatheleni Ndlovu'smiaze-bean plot and left' maize-cowpea plot%

Figure 6: PhathisileNdlovu's control plot%

21"

Springvalley'

Bonginhlanhla%Dlamini%

Cutworm"was"quite"a"problem"for"our"local"facilitator’s"trial"this"season,"a"lot"of"his"maize"was"

eaten."Together"with"his"wife"they"replanted"basins"where"maize"was"eaten"but"there"was"a"storm"

the"following"day"which"potentially"washed"away"a"lot"of"the"seed."There"is"clear"evidence"of"soil"

washing"down"the"trial"towards"the"fence."In"efforts"to"close"these"spaces"up,"a"winter"cover"crop"

relay"was"sown"in"on"the"15th"of"January"2020"using"the"Haraka"planter"which"would"also"serve"

as"feed"for"the"couple’s"goats,"see"below"snapshot."

Ntombifuthi%Shoba%

Mrs"Shoba"is"a"first"year"participant"who"was"encouraged"by"Letta"Ngubo’s"trial;"a"fourth"year"

participant."She"was"very"much"interested"in"finding"out"how"she"grew"her"maize"yet"she"has"

never"seen"a"tractor"at"her"house."Like"everyone"else"she"couldn’t"picture"digging"up"a"basin"and"

Figure 9: Snapshots from Bonginhlanhla Dlamini's trial%

Figure 8: Mrs Nyasa Ndlovu's trial plot%

22"

sowing"seed"and"expecting"food"to"grow."She"was"invited"and"then"joined"in"the"learning"group"

this"season"and"tried"out"the"CA"process"in"her"plot."She"has"three"plots"planted;"one"with"maize-

cowpea" (5m" x" 12m)" and" two" with"maize-beans;" 5m" x12m," 5m" x" 15m;" planted" on" the" 17th"of"

December" 2019" using" hand" hoes." Her" maize" is" looking" very" good" with" god" germination" and"

growth."Her"beans,"however,"is"doing"wonders"with"cowpea"coming"in"behind."She"also"has"a"

control"where"manure"was"broadcasted"and"traditional"seed"planted,"however"that"was"planted"

much"earlier"and"is"approaching"tasseling."Below"are"pictures"of"Mrs"Shoba’s"trial"and"control"

plots.""

Emazabekweni'

After" seeing" Mr" Million" Ngubane’s" CA" maize" the" past" season," the" three"new"ladies" in"

Emazabekweni"were"more"than"delighted"to"see"their"CA"plots"germinating"and"growing"so"well"

to" a" point" they" wished" they" had" planted" bigger" pieces." Their" CA" trials" have" germinated" and"

continue"to"grow"well."On"the"29th"of"January"2020,"LAN"and"cover"crops"were"delivered."The"

cover"crops"they"will"plant"by"hand"wherever"there"are"gaps"within"the"plots;"which"is"minimal"

and"in"between"maize"rows."The"ladies"are"very"much"interested"in"the"potential"of"cover"crops"

to"increase"the"health"of"their"soils"for"sustained"maize"production."Mrs"Physllis"Miya"was"excited"

when"she"saw"the"Mahlathini"vehicle"with"field"staff"coming"to"check"on"progress"and"she"couldn’t"

hide"her"excitement."Her"maize"is"looking"healthy"with"exceptionally"good"germination"of"maize"

and" beans." She" however," decided" to" put" cowpeas" in" a" separate" plot" and" these" germinated"

exceptionally"poorly"to"a"point"where"she"over"sowed"the"plot"with"maize."Her"beans"are"doing"

well" very" and" are" close" to" flowering" already." " She" mentioned" that" they" had" a" storm" recently,"

though"she"could"not"remember"the"date,"where"she"thought"all"her"work"had"gone"to"waste"and"

she"would"lose"her"entire"bean"crop."Luckily"the"beans"had"not"flowered"then"and"managed"to"

recover.""

She"had"planted"her"control"using"traditional"seed"she"had"kept"form"the"previous"season."With"

heavy"rains"the"control"plot"grew"with"weeds"also"creeping"in"quickly"taking"up"most"of"the"space"

and" heavily" competing" with" her" crops." Mrs" Miya" then" mixed" up" roundup" with" water" into" a"

knapsack"to"spray"the"weeds;"unfortunately,"her"maize"did"not"survive"the"spray."Despite"the"

Figure 10: Ntombifuthi Shoba; first year maize-bean intercrop%

23"

spraying"workshop"held"prior"to"planting,"she"took"a"chance"to"spray"weeds"on"a"plot"with"non-

roundup"ready"seed"which"resulted"in"total"crop"loss."She"has"since"planted"another"plot."

Mrs"Miya’s"neighbour;"Mrs"Shezi;"also"planted"the"CA"trial"for"the"first"time"this"year"and"her"crops"

are" doing" very" well." She" planted" two" maize-bean" plots" and" two" maize-cowpea" plots."

Unfortunately,"upon"monitoring"we"discovered"that"she"doesn’t"have"a"control"plot."Below"is"a"

picture"of"her"plots"taken"on"the"29th"of"January"2020."She"is"also"intending"to"plant"in"winter"

cover"crops"as"a"relay"crop"to"her"maize"and"legume"intercrop."

)

Sekhutlong''(Matatiele)'

Matsepo%Futu%%

Matsepo"is"still"battling"to"get"good"performance"from"her"trial,"and"this"year"is"not"better"for"the"

grandmother"of"three."The"seed"she"sowed"in"the"first"time"germinated"poorly"and"she"has"had"to"

replant"again."Her"maize-bean"and"maize-cowpeas"intercrop"did"not"do"well"at"all"and"she"has"had"

to"replant"these"as"well."She"ran"out"of"seed"and"ended"up"mixing"yellow"and"white"maize,"hybrids"

and"traditional"seed.""The"handful"of"beans"she"had"left"she"put"in"a"small"block"in"between"her"

Figure 11: from left to right, traditional control maize, trial and control and CA trial plot

Figure 12: Mrs Shezi's CA plot

24"

maize."This"made"it"a"bit"difficult"to"monitor"as"she"had"mixed"and"matched"and"also"did"not"plant"

in"basins"and"tramlines."She"also"doesn’t"have"a"control"plot"this"year"but"plans"to"plant"her"entire"

garden"the"coming"season"as"she"looks"to"properly"fence"her"household.""

Mamolelekeng%Lebueoa%

Mamolelekeng"has"been"faced"with"soil"borne"fungal"diseases,"leading"to"mycotoxin"presence"in"

her"maize."These"were"drastically"spreading"across"the"entire"field"and"compromised"her"entire"

crop."We"were"to"get"chicken"litter"and"spread"a"thick"layer"of"it"on"the"field"in"an"effort"to"break"

the"cycle"of"the"disease."Sourcing"chicken"litter"proved"harder"than"we"thought"and"as"a"result"we"

do"not"have"any,"she"has"left"her"garden"with"no"crop"in."She"now"plans"to"cultivate"turnips/rappa"

for"the"winter"season"to"further"disturb"the"cycle"of"fungal"growth"and"will"be"planting"in"her"CA"

trial"for"the"2020/2021"season."

Tsoloane%Mapheelle%

This"gentleman"is"still"determined"to"keep"going"with"the"CA"process"on"his"shallow"sandy"soils"

with"poor"organic"matter"content."This"

year,"he"planted"his"seed"by"hand"as"he"

felt"the"animal"drawn"planter"wasn’t"

providing"the"correct"amounts"of"

fertilizer"ad"also"not"depositing"the"seed"

well."He"marked"his"rows"with"lime"using"

a"rope"and"then"opened"those"up"to"put"

in"maize"and"bean"seed,"although"he"

planted"these"in"separate"blocks."His"

crops"germinated"very"well"but"overall"

growth"is"not"so"good",with"his"maize"

looking"pale"seemingly"in"desperate"

need"of"nitrogen."He"is"adamant"that"the"

application"of"LAN"will"be"very"good"for"

his"maize,"LAN"was"delivered"for"him"to"

apply"and"we"will"wait"and"see."

Figure14: CA trial for Tsoloane for the 2019/2020 season

Figure 13: Matsepo's plot that has been replanted three times

25"

Sikhulumi'

Noluthando%Pili%

Things"seem"to"be"going"very"well"for"Noluthando"Pili,.CA"has"been"responsive"in"her"soils"and"

her"maize"and"beans"seem"to"agree."For"the"past"seasons"her"plot"has"been"doing"better"than"the"

rest"of"the"participants"in"Matatiele,"even"in"dry"periods."She"also"doesn’t"have"as"much"of"a"weed"

problem"at"the"start"of"the"season"when"compared"to"the"other"participants."She"has"been"happy"

with"her"crop"performance"and"of"course"yields."Her"maize-bean"plots"are"looking"very"good"with"

maize" already" tasseling" and"

beans" well" covering" the" spaces"

in" between"the" maize"

suffocating"weeds."She"has"only"

had" to" weed" once" and" she" has"

not"weeded"again"as"her"beans"

are" doing" the" job" for" her;" now"

she" really" appreciates" the" idea"

behind" intercropping." Planting"

in" cover" crops" here" proved" a"

tough"job"and"she"opted"to"put"

them"in"once"her"beans"mature"

and"have"been"harvested."

Early)maturing)maize)

varieties)

Mandla"Mkhize"and"Cingeni"Kheswa"in"Ngongonini"and"Cosmas"Xaba"from"Madzikane"sowed"the"

early"maturing"white"maize"variety"PAN"5A"190.They"planted"these"as"additional"plots"to"their"

normal"trials,"somewhat"later"in"the"

season."Mandla"Mkhize"planted"two"

1000m²"plots"of"PAN"5A"190"using"

the" two-row" planter" around"

December"the"13th"of"2019."He"was"

taken"by"surprise"when"maize"grew"

aggressively" fast" and" weeds"

proving"a"problem"to"a"point"that"he"

could" not" apply" LAN" to" the" crops."

When" monitored" on" the" 13th"of"

January" 2020" his" maize" is" already"

tasselling"and" promises" a" good"

yield.""

Cingeni"Kheswa"(73)"is"a"third"year"CA"participant"under"the"Ngongonini"learning"group"and"a"

member"of"the"Ikusasalethu"savings"group"in"the"locality."The"main"source"of"income"for"the"

household"is"her"old"age"pension"grant"that"she"buys"shares"at"the"savings"group."

Figure 15: Noluthando Pili's maize-bean intercrop

Figure17:Mandla Mkhize's PAN 5A 190 plots%

26"

Mrs"Kheswa"planted"both"Colorado"and"PAN"5A"190"intercropped"with"beans"back"in"January."

The" PAN" 5A" 190" plot" is" looking" very" good," with" maize" cobs" already" formed" with" each" stalk"

carrying"more"than"two"cobs"and"some"even"up"to"four"cobs."Beans"are"doing"well"on"both"plots"

but"Colorado"doesn’t"seem"to"be"doing"so"well,"with"poor"germination."She"has"also"had"to"fill"in"

the"gaps"where"maize"was"eaten"by"cutworm."She"is"sold"that"short"term"seed"varieties"promise"

a"better"yield"in"less"time."Below"are"two"pictures"of"her"two"trial"plots,;she"unfortunately"does"

not"have"a"control"plot"to"compare"these"against.""

Stakeholder)forum)and)innovation)platform)

This"is"an"annual"event"held"in"the"Madzikane"Community"Hall"where"stakeholders"meet"and"get"

to"share"information"on"different"projects"as"well"as"experiences"and"this"year’s"attendees"were"

Siyanda"Memela"(Department"of"Agriculture)"Charmaine"Mchunu"(Soils"and"analytical"services),"

Nqe"Dlamini"(StratAct),"Sibusiso"Madiba"(FarmSystems"Research),"Ntokozo"Zulu"(LandCare)"and"

visiting" farmers" from" Ofafa," Ngongonini" and" Plainhill"," as" well" as" around" 60" farmers" from"

Madzikane." The" farmer" to" farmer" sharing" of" information" is" key" to" the" improvement" and"

sustainability" of" livelihoods." This" also" serves" as" a" platform" for" coming" up" with" pro-poor"

collaborations"geared"at"improving"and"sustaining"livelihoods."The"different"organizations"also"

put"together"ideas"on"issues"communities"bring"up"that"hinder"development"such"as"livestock"

control," bulk" buying"of" inputs" and" savings" ect." Stakeholders" come" in" from" different" angles" in"

attempts" to" cure" troubling" communal" situations" with" learning" group" as" leaders" in" their" own"

situations."

For"example,"in"the"2018/2019"season,"the"issue"of"livestock"control"and"poor"grazing"n"winter"

was"raised"as"a"major"issue"in"the"commonages."The"2019/2020"season"saw"attempts"where"

fodder"production"options"were"introduced"on"both"household"and"field"scales"where"fields"are"

continuously" fenced" off" and" these" were" attempts" achieved" only" through" collaboration."This"

platform"has"also"opened"the"collaboration"between"MDF,"the"local"farmers"association"and"the"

soil"science"section"in"Cedara"to"try"out"strip"cropping."Here"farmers"will"be"planting"their"maize"

in"strips"with"strips"of"grasses"that"cattle"will"feed"on"in"winter"to"supplement"the"degrading"

rangelands."

Figure 18: Left, Cingeni's PAN 5A 190 plots; right; her Colorado plot%

27"

Field'visits'

Figure19: Participants walking into trial site

The"audience"got"in"vehicles"and"drove"down"

to"look"at"the"trials"in"the"fenced"off"fields."At"

these" fields" was" an" experiment" by" Farming"

Systems" Research" (FSR)" in" Cedara," where"

they"were"trying"out"different"spacing"under"

CA"where"they"maintained"30cm,"50cm"and"

75cm" spacing’s" using" different" maize"

varieties." Here" they" wanted" to" see" crop"

performance"and"weeds"under"the"different"

spacing.""

Alongside"the"FSR"experiment"was"MDF’s"CA"rotation"trial."

The"trial"has"ten"plots"of"MB-M-MC-L-MB-SCC-B-MC-SCC-M"

that" were" rotated" from" the" original" plot" of" M-SCC-MC-B-

SCC-MB-L-MC-M-MB" from" the" previous" season." The"

inclusion"of"cover"crops"was"explained"as"very"beneficial"for"

the" soil" as" they" provide" nitrogen;" reducing" the" need" for"

chemical"fertilizers;"as"well"as"providing"the"much"needed"

organic"content"and"soil"cover."These"cover"crops"may"be"

cut" and" stored" for" livestock" feed" in" the" harsh" winters,"

especially"given"our"degrading"rangelands."

A"few"metres"from"there"was"Mr"Xaba’s"plot"that"he"planted"

using" the" two-row" planter" from"Edenequip." His" plot" has"

perfectly"spaced"lines"with"minimal"to"no"spaces"within"the"

rows.""

When"we"got"to"the"field"there"was"quite"a"discussion"regarding"CA"and"its"applicability"in"rural"

systems." We" talked"about" the" importance" of" retaining" crop" residue" on" the" ground," more"

importantly"now"retaining"the"roots"as"these"play"an"important"role"in"giving"back"some"of"the"

nutrients"used"when"maize"crops"were"growing."Maize"stalks"also"serve"as"a"source"of"organic"

matter"in"the"soil,"improving"fertility"and"soil"structure"for"better"water"holding"capacity."There"

was"than"a"question"of"trade-offs"between"cover"retention"and"livestock"feed;"typical"of"rural"

areas,"maize"stover"is"grazed"by"cattle"in"the"fields"but"this"causes"traffic"and"soil"compaction"

which"is"precisely"what"were"are"working"against."One"of"the"visiting"farmers"from"Ngongonini"

then"suggested"that"the"stover"be"carried"and"grazed"in"the"kraals,"which"gave"MDF"a"chance"to"

talk"about"the"production"of"fodder"as"it"is"quite"clear"that"crop"production"and"livestock"cannot"

be"separated."We"talked"about"options"for"production"of"feed"through;"relay"cropping,"dedicated"

fodder"production"blocks,"strip"cropping"with"fodder"species"and"so"forth.""

Figure20: Sibusiso Madiba from FSR, explaining his

trial with the farmers

28"

Our"last"stop"was"at"Mr"Xaba’s"homestead"where"the"group"got"to"view"and"test"the"different"

implements"placed"in"the"yard."A"lot"of"the"attendees"on"the"day"were"fairly"new"people"and"so"

we" opted" to" start" with" handheld" implements;" the" MBLI" and" the" Haraka"planter." Ladies" in"

particular"were"very"keen"on"trying"out"the"Haraka"as"they"felt"it"was"easy"enough"to"do"bigger"

sized"fields"with"it."The"downside"to"it"they"said,"was"the"fact"it"doesn’t"accommodate"for"fertilizer"

application."Mr"Xaba"mentioned"that"there"was"one"with"two"columns"on"either"side"that"he"saw"

at"the"Land"Care"Biennial"Conference"in"the"Northern"Cape"back"in"2016"and"he"would"be"in"

contact"with"officials"from"Cedara"on"more"information"about"it."We"then"proceeded"to"look"at"the"

two-row" planter." Mr" Mkhize" from" Ngongonini" also" emphasized" the" great" performance" and"

wonders"of"this"implement."Here"the"ladies"said"they"would"rely"on"the"men"for"this"as"they"are"

more"clued"up"on"tractors."We"then"spoke"about"the"thresher"that"Mr"Xaba"purchased"and"the"

importance"of"savings"groups,"which"is"how"he"managed"to"finance"the"thresher."Next"stop"was"

the"boom"sprayer"followed"by"the"four-row"planter"awarded"by"Land"Care."After"all"the"views"and"

discussion"we"then"went"back"to"the"hall"to"listen"to"presentations"and"plan"our"way"forward."

Presentations'

All" stakeholders" present" had" presentations" prepared" which" they" delivered" sparking" engaging"

discussions" with" the" rest" of" the" audience." Temakholo" from" MDF" opened" the" floor" with" her"

presentation"that"spoke"on"the"role"and"importance"of"stakeholder"forums."Ntokozo"Zulu;"Land"

Figure21:Xaba addressing farmers on his trials and the importance of spacing and intercropping

Figure22: Snapshots from thevisit atMrXaba's homestead

29"

Care;"briefly"explained"the"role"of"the"organization"in"terms"of"their"scope"of"work"and"what"it"

entails."She"voiced"out"her"gratitude"as"she"saw"huge"fields"under"CA"with"reduced"erosions"and"

good"soil"management."She"did"stress"the"fact"that"current"dongas"in"the"community"need"to"be"

attended"to"immediately"as"they"threaten"grazing,"crop"production,"river"capacity"and"so"on."MDF"

followed"with"a"presentation"of"results"and"lessons"for"the"three"seasons"of"CA"done"in"the"area"

of"Creighton."Nqe"Dlamini;"StratAct;"talked"to"the"importance"of"agricultural"focused"savings"and"

the" role" these" have" for" rural" livelihoods." Charmaine" Mchunu" from" Cedara" than" closed" off" the"

presentations" with" her" presentation" on" strip" cropping" maize" with" nitrogen" fixing" perennial"

grasses"that"also"serve"as"livestock"feed.""

Village)Level)Savings)and)Associations)

The" three" VLSA’s" in" southern" KZN;" Masibambane" and" Senzokuhle" in" Madzikane"as" well" as"

Ikusasalethu" in" Ngongonini" have" been" getting" on" well" with" their" monthly" savings." The"

Masibambane" group;" the" oldest" of" the" three"groups;" is"getting" ready" for" its" March"share" out"

meeting"with"members"paying"off"loans"in"preparation"for"the"share"out."No"loans"are"being"issued"

at"this"stage.""

The" Ikusasalethu" savings" group" in" Ngongonini" has" generated" interest" from" the" greater"

community"with"another"group"to"be"established"soon."

In"Ofafa"the"process"of"forming"the"village’s"first"group"

is" already" underway." Nqe" Dlamini" (Stract" Act)" and"

Nontokozo"Mdletshe"facilitated"at"introductory"meeting"

held" on" the" 24th"of" January" 20120" at" Mama" Ndlovu’s"

homestead" with" 18" participants" and" four" reporting"

absent."Two"groups"will"be"formed"in"the"village"due"to"

people"staying"far"apart"from"each"other"i.e."lower"and"

upper"Ofafa."Another"resolution"taken"from"the"meeting"

was"that"only"CA"participating"individuals"will"take"up"

VLSA"membership."

Figure 23: Snapshot from the Masibambane savings meeting

Figure 24: Nqe addressing the Ofafa interested

savings participants%

30"

Cooperative)formation)

Learning"groups"have"been"given"the"option"to"formalise"their"groups"into"marketing"and"value"

adding"cooperatives,"in"collaboration"with"Nqe"Dlamini"of"StratAct."Despite"the"poor"performance"

of"these"self-controlling"social"enterprises"there"are"still"benefits"to"their"establishment;"such"as"

owning" and" controlling" decisions," joint" sourcing" of" inputs" and" marketing" as" well"as" sourcing"

funding."These"cooperatives"are"being"registered"on"these"conditions;"the"group"must"be"active"

for"over"a"year,"currently"farming,"have"manifested"social"cohesion"and"have"a"confirmed"market.""

These"co-ops"are"being"set"up",have"proved"themselves"worthy"of"registration"based"on"the"above"

mentioned"criteria."The"co-ops"will"be"producing"and"selling"to"the"Harry"Gwala"Development"

Agency"as"a"central"point"where"the"health,"correctional"services"and"education"departments"will"

source" fresh" produce" as" per" the" RASET" programme." The" Masikhule" Co-operative" based" in"

Madzikane;"Creighton,"has"been"successfully"registered"and"issued"a"certificate."The"Ngongonini"

co-op"is"almost"registered"as"well;"the"co-op"will"be"supplying"beans,"cabbage,"spinach,"tomatoes,"

butternut"and"other"fresh"produce."Upon"registration,"the"co-ops"will"be"regarded"as"independent"

businesses"where"they"will"be"eligible"to"apply"for"funding"to"fund"their"activities"with"MDF"and"

StratAct"assisting"with"the"compliance"side"of"things.""