Deliverable 7 Interim Report | Mahlathini Development Foundation

Water Research Commission

Prepared By:

Project team led by Mahlathini Development Foundation.

Project Number: K5/2719/4

Project Title: Collaborative knowledge creation and mediation strategies for the dissemination of

Waterand Soil Conservation practices and Climate Smart Agriculture in smallholder farming

systems.

Deliverable No.7:Development of indicators,proxies and benchmarks and knowledge mediation

processes

Date: May 2019

Deliverable

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Submitted to:

Executive Manager: Water Utilisation in Agriculture

Water Research Commission

Pretoria

Project team:

Mahlathini Development Foundation

Erna Kruger

Mazwi Dlamini

Samukelisiwe Mkhize

Temakholo Mathebula

Phumzile Ngcobo

Catherine van den Hoof

Institute of Natural Resources NPC

Jon McCosh

Rural Integrated Engineering (Pty) Ltd

Christiaan Stimie

Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre

Lawrence Sisitka

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018
3
CONTENTS
FIGURES 4
TABLES 4
1OVERVIEW OF PROJECT AND DELIVERABLE6
Contract Summary6
Project objectives6
Deliverables 6
Overview of Deliverable 77
2COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE AND DEMONSTRATION SITES10
Madzikane_SKZN 11
Introduction 11
Workshop day12
Conclusion 13
Swayimane_SKZN 14
Introduction 14
Tower Garden, Eco-circle, Conservation Agriculture14
Experimentation 15
Additional Participants25
Ntabamhlophe (Estcourt-KZN)25
Alice/King Williams Town- EC 29
Climatic Context and Farmer Participants30
Individual Summaries31
Eqeleni and Ezibomvini- Bergville-KZN43
Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Process44
Water issues- Ezibomvini45
Tower Gardens46
Conservation Agriculture monitoring in Bergville49
Fodder production experimentation process in Stulwane, Eqeleni and Ezimbovini56
Sedawa, Turkey, Mametja - Limpopo61
Planning and review sessions62
Water issues follow-up (Sedawa)66
3Resilience snapshots67
Resilience snapshot case study for KZN67
Learning and change67
Climate smart practices68
4PARTICIPATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (PIA)73
Background 74
PIA workshop outline74
PIA workshop Bergville 2019/04/1178
Attendance 78
Climate change78
Climate change impacts on farming and livelihoods78
CSA practices81
Changes and benefits from CSA practices82
Expanding on CSA practices85
Evaluation of the workshop86
5CSA PRACTICES / DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM86
Baselines and DSS refined87
Typologies 89

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018
4
Refinement of the DSS Model91
Assumptions made92
Practices recommended (Round 1) for 26 HH93
Refinement of the DSS model (Version 2)94
Ranking of suggested practices based on score provided by the facilitator96
Ranking of suggested practices based on score provided by the farmer97
6DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS AND MANUALS98
7Capacity building and publications101
Post graduate students101
Networking and presentations102
Joint farmers day with KZNDARD in Bergville (12 March 2019)102
Agroecology Network: Agro-ecology smallholder farmers open Day (12 March 2019)102
FIGURES
Figure 1: Layout of Mrs Xasibe's Farming System. (CSA Practices implemented in first cycle highlighted 
in bold)..................................................................................................................................................19
Figure 2: Layout of MrsZondi's farmingsystem.(Climate SmartAgriculture (CSA) Practices 
implemented.........................................................................................................................................24
Figure 3: Dry land cropping calendar for Lower Olifant’s in Limpopo, March 2019...........................100
Figure 4: vegetable production calendar for the Lower Olifant’s in Limpopo, March 2019..............100
TABLES
Table 1: Deliverables for the research period; completed.....................................................................6
Table 2: CoPs’ established in three provinces (October 2018-January 2019)......................................10
Table 3: CSA Practices implemented by Mrs Xasibe.............................................................................15
Table 4: Past practices vs. present practices and lessons.....................................................................18
Table 5:Mrs Zondi’s CSA experimentation process ..............................................................................21
Table 6: CSA Practices and theirrelevancetowater, soil fertility, crop management,livestock and
natural resources..................................................................................................................................25
Table 8: CA experimentation undertaken in Ntabamhlophe in the 2018-2019 season.......................26
Table 9:ACTIVITIES AND NUMBERS OF FARMERSINVOLVED,PER VILLAGE FOROCTOBER2018-SEPTEMBER 2019.
..............................................................................................................................................................49
Table 10:  Rain gauge installation and member responsible for collection of data .............................51
Table 11: Rainfall data recorded from rain gauges across five villages in Bergville 2018-2019...........53
Table 12: Run-off data collected for CA trial and control plots across fivevillages in Bergville; 2018-
2019 ......................................................................................................................................................54
Table 13: Showing cover crop experimentation across Bergville villages............................................54
Table 14: Summary of learning sessions conducted: January-April 2019 ............................................61
Table 15: Traffic light assessment for implementation of practices in Turkey: Feb 2019....................64
Table 16: Rainfall data from 3 community- based rain gauges: Oct 2018-Feb 2019............................66
Table 17: Typologies for participants in baseline survey, 2019............................................................89
Table 18:Criteria to define the resources to manage and related strategies (version 1).....................92
Table 19: Criteria to define the resources to manage and related strategies (version 2)....................94
Table 20: Basket/list of practices recommended for version 1 and 2 of the DSS.................................94

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Table 21:Ranking of suggested practices by ‘the facilitator’ for Phumelele Hlongwane (DSS version 2)

..............................................................................................................................................................97

Table 22: Analysis of CSA practices implemented in KZN (Bergville, Tabamhlophe)–2017-2019 ......98

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Interimreport:Refineddecisionsupport

systemforCSAinsmallholder farming

1OVERVIEW OF PROJECT AND DELIVERABLE

Contract Summary

Project objectives

1. To evaluate and identify best practice options for CSA and Soil and Water Conservation

(SWC) in smallholder farming systems, in two bioclimatic regions in South Africa. (Output 1)

2. To amplify collaborative knowledge creation of CSA practices with smallholder farmers in

South Africa (Output 2)

3. To test and adapt existing CSA decision support systems (DSS) for the South Africansmallholder

context (Outputs 2,3)

4. To evaluate the impact of CSA interventions identified throughthe DSS by pilotinginterventions

in smallholder farmer systems,considering water productivity, social acceptability and farm-scale

resilience (Outputs 3,4)

5. Visual and proxy indicators appropriate for a Payment for Ecosystems based model aretested at

community level for local assessment of progress and tested against field and laboratory analysis

of soil physical and chemical properties, and water productivity (Output 5)

Deliverables

Table 1: Deliverables for the research period; completed

Deliverable

Description

Target date

FINANCIAL YEAR 2017/2018

Report: Desktop review of

CSA and WSC

Desktop review of current science, indigenous and traditional

knowledge, and best practice in relation to CSA and WSC in the

South African context

1 June 2017

Report on stakeholder

engagement and case

study development and

site identification

Identifying and engaging with projects and stakeholders

implementing CSA and WSC processes and capturing case studies

applicable to prioritized bioclimatic regions

Identification of pilot research sites

1 September

2017

Decision support system

for CSA in smallholder

farming developed

(Report)

Decision support system for prioritization of best bet CSA options in

a particular locality; initial database and models. Review existing

models, in conjunction with stakeholder discussions for initial

criteria

15 January

2018

FINANCIAL YEAR: 2018/2019

CoPs and demonstration

sites established (report)

Establish communities of practice (CoP)s including stakeholders and

smallholder farmers in each bioclimatic region.5. With each CoP,

identify and select demonstration sites in each bioclimatic region

and pilot chosen collaborative strategies for introduction of a range

of CSA and WSC strategies in homestead farming systems (gardens

and fields)

1 May 2018

Interim report: Refined

decision support system

for CSA in smallholder

farming (report)

Refinement of criteria and practices, introduction of new ideas and

innovations, updating of decision support system

1 October

2018

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Interim report: Results of

pilots, season 1

Pilot chosen collaborative strategies for introduction of a range of

CSA and WSC strategies, working with the CoPs in each site and the

decisions support system. Create knowledge mediation productions,

manuals, handouts and other resources necessary for learning and

implementation.

31 January

2019

FINANCIAL YEAR 2019/2020

Interim report:

Development of indicators,

proxies and benchmarks

and knowledge mediation

processes

Document and record appropriate visual indicators and proxies for

community level assessment, work with CoPs to implement and

refine indicators.

Analysis of contemporary approaches to collaborative knowledge

creation within the agricultural sector. Develop appropriate

knowledge mediation processes for each CoP. Develop CoP decision

support systems

1 May 2019

Report: Appropriate

quantitative measurement

procedures for verification

of the visual indicators.

Set up farmer and researcher level experimentation. Link proxies

and benchmarks to quantitative research to verify and formalise.

Explore potential incentive schemes and financing mechanisms

Conduct survey of present knowledge mediation processes in

community and smallholder settings

1 August

2019

Interim report: results of

pilots, season 2

Pilot chosen collaborative strategies for introduction of a range of

CSA and WSC strategies, working with the CoPs in each site and the

decisions support system. Create knowledge mediation productions,

manuals, handouts and other resources necessary for learning and

implementation.

31 January

2020

FINANCIAL YEAR 2020/2021

Final report: Results of

pilots, season

Pilot chosen collaborative strategies for introduction of a range of

CSA and WSC strategies, working with the CoPs in each site and the

decisions support system. Create knowledge mediation productions,

manuals, handouts and other resources necessary for learning and

implementation.

1 May 2020

Final Report: Consolidation

and finalisation of decision

support system

Finalisation of criteria and practices, introduction of new ideas and

innovations, updating of decision support system

3 July 2020

Final report - Summarise

and disseminate

recommendations for best

practice options.

Summarise and disseminate recommendations for best practice

options for knowledge mediation and CSA and SWC techniques for

prioritized bioclimatic regions

7 August

2020

Overview of Deliverable 7

This report includes aspects of both deliverable 7 and 8 and focuses on the development of a

Participatory impactmonitoring process for the review and re-planning of the CSA implementation

and research process at community level, with associated resilience indicators, the refinement of the

DSS model through field testing and the development of a facilitation manual.

Farmer level experimentation with practices is ongoingand progress is reported on. A full report on

the progress with quantitative measurements and the development of proxies and visual indicators is

to follow in Deliverable 8.

The designof the decision support system(DSS)is seen as an ongoingprocess divided into three

distinct parts:

➢Practices: Collation, review, testing, and finalisation of those CSA practices to be included.

Allows for new ideas and local practices to be included over time. This also includes linkages

and reference to external sources of technical information aroundclimate change, soils, water

management etc and how this will be done, as well as modelling of the DSS;

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

➢Process: Through which climate smart agricultural practices are implemented at smallholder

farmer level. This also includes the facilitation component, communities of practice(CoPs),

communication strategies and capacity building and

➢Monitoring and evaluation:local and visual assessment protocols for assessing

implementation and impact of practicesas well as processes used. This also includes site

selection and quantitative measurements undertaken to support the visual assessment

protocols and development of visual and proxy indicators for future use in incentivebased

support schemes for smallholder farmers.

Activities in this four- month period have included:

➢Practices activities: Refinement of the DSS model and run the model for 41 households across

three provinces.

➢Process activities:Conduct CCA farmer training and implementation (Workshop 4)in

Swayimane (KZN), CCA workshop3 in Madzikane (KZN), as well as continuation of farmer level

experimentation inthe EC (3 villages),Bergville (2 villages)and Ntabamhlophein KZN. CoP

engagement has consisted of afarmer level best practice cross visit and learningsession for

the Agroecology network, a soil fertility and soil health Farmers’ day in Bergville in association

with KZNDARD and attendance of aRegenerative Agriculture conference in Reitz, Free State

(Farmers Weekly and theMaize Trust). Initiation of a livestockintegration farmer level

experimentation process in Bergville (fodder production, hay making and supplementation)

➢Monitoring and evaluation:Design of the participatory impact assessment process and a

resilience monitoring process for the DSS

A chronology of activities undertaken is presented in the table below.

Date

Activity

Description

Team

2019/01/21-24

Yearly team

planning

Whole team planning session for

yearly activities, mentoring and

training in CA implementation in

Limpopo

Erna, Lawrence, Chris,

Mazwi, Lulama, Tema,

Phumzile, Samukhelisiwe,

Nonkanysio

2019/02/25-

03/01

Limpopo review

and re-planning

Review and preplanning workshops

and monitoring processes for villages

in Limpopo (Sedawa, Turkey, Willows,

Botshabelo)

Erna, Betty, Andries

2019/02/27

Ntabamhlophe

monitoring

Monitoring of CA and gardening CSA

practices implementation

Samukhelisiwe and Lindelwa

2019/03/07

Refinement of DSS

Modify input parameters to better

suite conditions on the ground and re-

run for 41 participants

Erna, Catherine van den

Hoof

2019/03/05-08

Implementation

progress

monitoring

Implementation and monitoring for 3

villages in the EC

Mazwi, Lawrence

2019/03/11,12

Conference

Attendance of Regenerative

Agriculture conference in Reitz (FS)

Erna, Phumzile, Lulama,

Nontokozo

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

2019/03/12

Farmers day -

Bergville

Jointly organised farmers day in soil

health and fertility with LandCare and

KZNDARD

Nonkanysio, Thabane

Madondo, Bright Mashiyane

2019/03/14

Agroecology

network

Farmers cross visit and presentation of

best practice ideas; Sekhukhune- Joint

event with AWARD.

Betty, Andires, Bigboy,

Clayton

2019/04/02-05

Implementation

progress

monitoring

Implementation monitoring and

sharing events Bergville and

Ntabamhlophe

Samukhelisiwe, Phumzile

and Lindelwa (Lima-RDF)

2019/04/10

Livestock

integration w/s;

Bergville

Learning workshop on fodder

production, hay making and

supplementation for the Bergville

participants experimenting with

fodder production

Brigid Letty (INR), Erna,

Mazwi,Phumzile,

Samukhelisiwe, Nonkanyiso,

Tema, Lulama

2019/04/11

PIA w/s Bergville

Participatoryimpact assessment

workshop for Bergville and

Ntabamhlophe

Lindelwa Ndada (Lima RDF),

Erna, Mazwi,Phumzile,

Samukhelisiwe, Nonkanyiso,

Tema

2019/04/11,12

CCA w/s 4 for

Madzikane (SKZN

Demonstration w/s for participatory

building of shade cloth tunnel, trench

beds and initial round of farmer level

experimentation with CSA practices

Mazwi, Tema, Nokanyiso

Capacity building and publications:

•Research presentations and chapters:

oMazwi Dlamini –M Phil (PLAAS UWC-yr 2); Report for first round of field work

activities

oSamukelisiwe Mkhize- PhD (Human Sciences): Concept note and registration

•Publications: -

•Cross visits:

oGrowing Nations farmer cross visit to Bergville (CA)

•Attendance: -

oRegenerative Agriculture Conference (Reitz- FS)

•Conference papers and presentations: -

oFarmers Days: Joint open day events for Conservation Agriculture with LandCare and

KZNDARD in Stulwane- Bergville (KZN)

oAgroecology Network; Crossvisit and best practice presentations by farmers; Lower

Olifants’ and Sekhukhune.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

2COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE AND DEMONSTRATION SITES

The work with the CoPs and in the demonstration sites is ongoing. The table below summarises the

progress to date.

Table 2: CoPs’ established in three provinces (October 2018-January 2019)

*Note: Activities in bold under Demonstration Sites, were conducted during this time frame

Province

Site/Area;

villages

Demonstration

sites

CoPs

Collaborative strategies

KZN

Ntabamhlophe

- CCA workshop 1

- CCA workshop 2

-CCA workshop 3

-CCA workshop 4

-CCA workshop 5

- Monitoring and PIA

-Farmers w NGO

support (Lima RDF)

- Tunnels and drip kits

- Individual experimentation with

basket of options

Ezibomvini/

, Eqeleni

- CCA workshop 1

- CCA workshop 2

- CCA workshop 3

- CCA workshop 4

(training)

- Water issues

workshops 1,2

-Water issues follow-

-CCA workshop 5

-Water issues

continuation

-Monitoring, PIA

- Fodder and

supplementation

learning process

-CA open days, cross

visits (LandCare,

DARD, ARC, GrainSA),

LM Agric forums, ….

- Tunnels (Quantitative

measurements

- CA farmer experimentation

(Quantitative measurements) –case

studies

-Individual experimentation with

basket of options; monitoring review

and re-planning

- Livestock integration learning group

and experimentation focus

Swayimane

- CCA workshop 1

-CCA workshops 2 and

-CCA workshop 4

- Monitoring, review

and replanning

-CA open days

-Umgungundlovu DM

agriculture forum

- CA farmer experimentation

- gardening level experimentation;

tunnel, trench beds drip kits etc.

Madzikane

-CCA workshop 1

-CCA workshops 2-4

-CA open days

- Madzikane

stakeholder forum

-CA farmer experimentation

- gardening level experimentation;

tunnel, trench beds drip kits etc

Limpopo

Mametja (Sedawa,

Turkey)

- CCA workshop 1

- CCA workshop 2

- CCA workshop 3

- CCA workshop 4

-Water issues

workshops 1-2

-Water issues follow-

- CCA workshop 5

- Poultry production

learning and

mentoring

-Agroecology

network

(AWARD/MDF)

-Maruleng DM

-Review of CSA implementation and

re-planning for next season

Tunnels (Quantitative measurements

- CA farmer experimentation

(Quantitative measurements) –case

studies

- Individual experimentation with

basket of options

-water committee, plan for agric

water provision

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Below summary reports for progress in each area is presented.

Madzikane_SKZN

Written by MazwiDlamini

Introduction

It has taken some time to schedule this process as people have been busy with different commitments

including other projects and harvesting field crops. The intention of the day was to run a participatory

workshop in construction of a shade cloth tunnel, in a site where three trench beds have already been

prepared, to start the process of group experimentation with production in trench beds and tunnels

–the two practices that most of the participants in this learning group wanted to try out.

We did discuss the fact that there is only the one tunnel and the group was in consensus that

MaMdladla Shozi’s household would host the tunnel. The logic behind the decision was because she

is a stay at home person with enough time tomonitor and take readings; she also has a fenced off

garden close to a kraal for access to manure.

-CA learning and

mentoring

-Monitoring, review

and re-planning

Lepelle

Water issues

workshops 1-2

-water committee, plan for agric

water provision

Tzaneen

(Sekororo-

Lourene)

- CCA workshop 1

- CCA workshop 2

- Assessment of farmer

experimentation

Farmers learning

group

-Tunnels and drip kits

Alice/Middledrift

area

- CCA workshop 1

- CCA workshop 2

- CCA workshop 3

-CCA workshop 4 and 5

-Monitoring, review

and re-planning

Imvotho Bubomi

Learning Network

(IBLN) - ERLC, Fort

Cox, Farmers, Agric

Extension services,

NGOs

- Monitoring and review of

implementation of CSA practices and

experimentation

- Training and mentoring _CA, furrow

irrigation, ….

-Planning for further implementation

and experimentation and

quantitative measurements

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

We were very ambitious on the day as lots of practices and activities were to be covered; starting with

the filling up of the trenches, constructing the tunnel and having the beds planted. We also though it

would be nice show the group the drip kit and have that put in as well.

Workshop day

Trench beds

Three beds were made on the day; the first

one was the deep trench where bones and tins

are added followed by organic matter and

manure. The seconds was a shallow trench bed

with only organic matter and kraal manure and

thirdly the raise bed with soil mixed with

manure. Here the idea is comparing different

types of beds both in and out the tunnel. All

these bedswere 5m x 1m. The hot sun didn’t

make it any easier to do these beds but with

the help of three elderly women and Mrs Shozi

the beds were done in no time.

Right:the three beds from rightto left; deep-

and shallow- trench and raised bed

The tunnel

Seven participants in total assisted with building the tunnel:

-Bending the hoops for the tunnel using a jig and joining these together to make the arches

-Sewing the various panels of netting onto the arches and sewing the doorway ropes into the

netting

-Laying out the tunnel across the three prepared trench beds

-Making the holes for inserting the hoops using a spike designed for the purpose

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

-And then erecting the arches and pulling the netting over the arches. And attaching the

netting.

Above Left: arch constructed after bending the lengths of conduit using a jig Above centre and right –

sewing the netting onto the back and front arches.

Right: the four arches erected, with

the front and back arches already

having the netting sewn on and

Far right: The completedtunnel

after pulling over and attaching the

rest of the netting.

Conclusion

This was the first-time participants witnessed the building of a tunnel. They believe this practice is

among the best as a strategy against climate change where crops are protected from both the sun and

cold. Manyparticipants would like to have a tunnel in theirowngardens as well. They were made

aware that thisoneis for experimentationpurposes and comes with additionalworkfor Mrs Shozi

whoagreedto makes beds similar to those in the tunnel, on the outside as well,so as to compare

results; she also agreed to water and monitor her irrigation and harvesting.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

As perconclusion from theworkshop, the rest of thegroup will meetto start implementingfurther

choices for experimentation including;drainage pits and furrows in big gardens, tower gardens,

organic teas and brews as well as seedling production among others.

Swayimane_SKZN

Written by Temakholo Mathebula

Introduction

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) as a concept has been explored at considerable length in workshops

with the primary aim to understand farmers’ perceptions about the relationship between climate and

their agricultural systems. Workshop 1 and 2 aimed to answer the questions around farmers’

perceptions on climate change and how they prioritize practices. Gobizembe (a village in Swayimane)

farmers noted that weather patterns have become moreerratic over time and that mean

temperatures are steadily rising.

Tower Garden, Eco-circle, Conservation Agriculture

Workshop 3 focussedonexperimentation and included the construction of a tower garden and eco

circle as well asmixed cropping as phase one of the experimentation process. The aforementioned

practices werechosen by the farmer due to their effectivenessin soil and water conservation, the

minimal space they require, low labour intensity as well as affordability. The demonstration was

conducted at Mrs Khanyisile Xasibe’s house with 90 percent of the group members in attendance. The

experiment was to compare crop growth and yield in the tower garden (treatment 1) and the farmer’s

normal way of planting (control). The farmer planted spinach, kale, Chinese cabbage, beetroot,

marigold and leeks in the tower garden and spinach, cabbage, kale and beetroot on the ground.

Right and Far right:

CSA practices

implementer by Mrs

Xasibe; towergarden

and eco circle

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Experimentation

Below is a summary of the experimentation undertaken by Mrs Xasibe, along with her irrigation and

harvesting monitoring.

Table 3: CSA Practices implemented by Mrs Xasibe

Practice

Materials

Used

How was it

implemented

Crops Planted

Irrigation

Amount harvested

Tower Garden

80% shade net,

manure, ash,

tin, stones,

poles

Learning group

Spinach, Chinese

cabbage, kale,

beetroot, marigold,

leeks

10 litre/day

when

required)

10 bunches of

spinach, 5 bunches of

kale, 2 kg beetroot

Eco circle

Manure, grass,

2 litre bottle

Learning group

Parsley, coriander,

thyme, beetroot,

rocket

2 litrebottle

filled once a

day

Picks a few herbs to

use

Raised and flat

beds

Manure, mulch

Learning group

Spinach (bed and

flat), kale, beetroot

(flat)

10 litre /bed

three times a

week

40 bunches of spinach

R10/bunch,

10 bunches of kale

Mixed

Cropping

Seedlings

Learning group

Spinach, Chinese

cabbage, kale,

beetroot, marigold,

leeks

10 litre/day

20 bunches of

spinach,

R10/bunch,10

bunches of kale 2 kg

beetroot

(modification-

addition of

manure,

cowpeas sole

plot)

Manure, MAP,

maize, beans,

cowpeas, lime,

round up,

Decis forte

Planted by

hand with

husband

Maize, beans and

cowpeas

Rain fed

Still in the field

Tower Garden

The leafy green crops grewvigorously in the tower garden;which includes spinach, kale and Chinese

cabbage. These were all planted on the sides. Beetroot and leeks which were planted at the top did

not grow very well. On the ground, most of the crops grew vigorouslybut at times showed signs of

heat stress due to a higher level of evaporation.Mrs Xasibe irrigated the tower garden and the crops

on the ground once or twice a day four times a week.

Right:left:

tower garden

with crops

growing,

Centre; kale

and Right;

spinach after

the farmer

harvested 4

times

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

During the month of December there were heavy rains which led to an increase in pests, particularly

snails which caused significant damage on Chinese cabbage. Other problematic pests included beetles

and cut worm and some of thecrops, mainly marigolds and beetroot had black marksand showed

signs of decomposing. The overgrowth of the kale and spinach may have provided too much shade for

the beetroot thus contributing in it not growing well. The pictures below show the tower garden after

the farmer had harvested a number of times.

Above:Chinese cabbage severely damaged by pests (left), snail found on the cabbage (centre),

beetroot showing signs of grey leaf spot (right)

Control Plot

Vegetables on the control plot included spinach, beetroot, kale and cabbages in planting basins and

she also planted spinach on raised beds. The spinach on the ground had the best yield as she planted

in basins which she believed contributed tothe good growth of her crop by holdingwater. The kale

also grew verywell on the ground. The plants on the ground were less severely attacked by peststhan

those in the tower garden. The picture below is an overall depiction of Mrs Xasibe’s garden.

Above left and right: Mrs Xasibe’s conventional gardening plots

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Mrs Xasibe made an income of R480.00 from the spinach and kalefrom thetower garden and the

control plot combined. She utilized the rest of the vegetables for household consumption and a few

were damaged by pests and diseases.

Eco circle

The eco circle was dug 60 cm deep with alternate layers of manure and grass added together with the

soil. A bottle with 16 holes was placed at the centre for irrigation. The farmer planted thyme,

coriander, parsley, rocket and beetroot and the herbs grew very well, however rocketoutgrew the

other herbs and filled half of the circle, shadowing some of the other herbs. It was agreed that since

it takes up so much space needs to be planted on its own going forward.

Herbs are not very common in community gardens as they are generallyknown tobefor medicinal

uses and not consumption, hence the general belief is that if required they must be purchased from a

traditional healer or collected from the nearby bush. Growingherbs was a way to introduce and create

awareness about other types of herbs and theiruses. The team discussed the various uses of the herbs

with Mrs Xasibe when planting, e.g. use of parsley and rocket in salads, thyme in meat dishes,

coriander in curry etc. She harvested the parsley, coriander and thyme to use in soups and salads but

did not like the smell of rocket and ended up not harvesting it.

Above: Mrs Xasibe’s eco-circle

Conservation Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is an approach that provides an alternative to conventional ploughing.

CA promotes good agricultural practice through its three core principles:

➢Minimum soil disturbance

➢Permanent soil cover

➢Crop diversification

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Mrs Xasibe started implementing CA in 2018 and is now in her second season. She planted the CA

experiment in the last week of January 2019 which is more than four weeks later than in the previous

season. High temperatures (>32oC) and late rainfall were cited as the main reasons for planting late.

In the current season, her husband accidentally put a ripper through her CA plot, nonetheless she

continued to plant the

intercrop plots of maize

and beans as well as

maize and cowpeas. She

added manure on one of

the plots in order to

assess its effect on soil

fertility and final yield

compared to fertiliser.

Right and far right;Mrs

Xasibe’s CA plots

Past and Present Practices and Lessons

Mrs Xasibeexpressed that there has been a decrease in yields and an increase in pest and disease

outbreaks in recent years. Stalk borer in maize spreads much faster and has become resistant to

Kemprin. The aggressiveness with which it spreads is believed to be a result of persistent high intensity

low duration rainfall with alternating periods of high temperatures. In addition, soils have become

harder and less friable during summer months as a result of years of ploughing and subsequent

erosion, as well as periodical drought conditions. Decreased yields are possibly a direct result of mono-

cropping. In both her maize fields and garden Mrs Xasibe normally plants the same crops in the same

area repeatedly. The aforementioned challenges were the contributingfactor toher willingness to

try new practices and in just one season she has started to notice changes in her farming system,

shown in the table below.

Table 4: Past practices vs. present practices and lessons

Past Issues

Past Practice

Present Practice

Impact

Lesson

High water

drainage

Farmer used to plant

vegetables on flat

ground

Planting in planting

basins or on raised

beds

Improved water

holding capacity

Better practice

results in improved

yield

Erosion

Ploughed and disked

soil

Conservation

Agriculture (planting

basins,

intercropping), tower

garden

More ground

cover, soil

protection from

erosion

Soil disturbance has

negative impact on

soil structure and

fertility.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Past experience has shown that increasing the resilience of smallholder farming systems requires a

multifaceted approach that considers all factors affecting those farming systems. This is proven by the

failure of one- dimensional approaches (e.g. mono-cropping) to increase the sustainability of farming

systems, but rather have subjected farmers to ever increasing costs of fertiliser and chemicals to

maintain high yields. Therefore, it was important for farmers to come up with criteria that considered

all environmental aspects (water,soil fertility, crop management, livestock, and natural resources),

labour and affordability so as to choose the relevant practices. Looking at different aspects also

allowed the farmer to expand their options rather than focusing on one practice as a solution, i.e. it is

more effective tointegrate a number of practices intoa farming system, hence the implementation

of tower garden, eco-circle and conservation agriculture. Below is a diagram of Mrs Xasibe’s farming

system depicting how she incorporated the new CSA practices which are highlighted

Figure 1: Layout of Mrs Xasibe's Farming System. (CSA Practices implemented in first cycle highlighted in bold)

Maize-uneven

growth/ small

cobs

Mechanical

ploughing, mono

cropping

Addition of lime,

manure,MAP,

Ripping

Pending

Importance of good

soil management

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Shallowand Deep Trench,

Mixed Cropping, CA

Demonstration workshops on the

practices selected by farmers have

been continuing in Natal Midlands. Mrs

Lindiwe Zondi opted for the shallow

and deep trenches as well as normal

raised bedsas her treatments, and her

normal way of planting (on flat ground)

as the control. Planting took place on

the 19th of February 2019 and a total of

six farmers were in attendance. The

deep trench had already been dug and

only needed levelling,so the team

added the layers anddug the shallow

trench.

Right: The demonstration workshop,

preparing of the shallow and deep

trench beds

All three beds were 5x1min size and an

extra 1x1mbed of herbs was planted.

Mrs Zondi alsomade the eco-circle similar to theonethat was demonstrated at Mrs Xasibe’s house

and she planted beetroot and lettuce on it. The farmer was given a monitoring form to record

observations regarding plant growth, pests and disease and also how often the crops are irrigated.

Above: Planting of the different beds, to a similar mixture of mixed crops.

The above figure is a depiction of the beds after planting. Mrs Zondi continued to plant on the normal

raised bed and on flat ground on her own.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

The beds are irrigated with 10 litres of water/bed once a day except on rainy days. Common pests

consist of snails and cutworm which she controls using Ampligo a non-selective pesticide. Marigolds

were also planted to repelinsects especially beetles, snails and nematodes. Although some of the

insects were present, the damaged they caused was minimal.The table below presents a description

of Mrs Zondi’s garden.

Table 5:Mrs Zondi’s CSA experimentation process

Trench bed

Trench beds are an effective way to increasesoil fertility especially in areas where soil has been

mismanaged. The addition of layers of biodegradable material is a form of composting which improves

the quality of soil as well as its water holding capacity. An added benefit of trench beds is their

durability as a trench bed

can last for up to five years.

Trench beds were chosen

as one of the practices as

they are cost effective and

moderately labour

intensive. Below is Mrs

Zondi’s Trench bed where

she planted red lettuce,

green pepper, leeks and

marigolds.

Mrs Zondi’s trench bed

Practice

Materials Used

How was it

implemented

Crops Planted

Trench bed

Rusted tins, newspapers, dry

grass, maize stalks, cattle

manure, straws, soil

Learning group

Red lettuce, leeks, spinach,

marigolds

Shallow Trench

Dry grass, wet grass, goat

manure, soil

Learning group

Green Lettuce, leeks, spinach,

kale, Chinese cabbage, marigolds,

beetroot, rocket

Normal Raised bed

Soil

Individually

Kale, lettuce, turnips, spinach,

leeks, marigolds

Normal ground

Soil

Individually

Leeks, lettuce, spinach and kale

Eco circle

Soil, manure, grass, 2litre bottle

Individually

Beetroot, lettuce

Lime, MAP, maize, beans,

Round Up, Decis Forte

Individually

Maize and beans

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Shallow Trench

The shallowtrench is similar to the trench bed but is dug 30 cm deep with alternating layers of grass

and manure. It consists of less materials than the deep trench and in theory is ‘less beneficial’ than

the deep trench in terms of

improving soil fertility. In this case,

the shallow trench was layered with

dry straws, decaying grassmaterial

and goat manure instead of cattle

manure which was used in the deep

trench. The crops planted included

kale, leeks, Chinese cabbage,

parsley, marigolds andspinach, i.e.

mainly green leafy vegetables.

Right and far right: Views of Mrs

Zondi’s shallow trench bed

According to Mrs Zondi this bed was by far the best in terms of crop growth and yield as she had

already harvested kale and spinach twice in a space of five weeks and the vegetables were still

growing. The fact that the grass was already decomposing when it was added might explain the rapid

growth of the crops, coupled by the use of goat manure whichis believed to contain more nitrogen

than cattle manure. Parsley and leeks were overshadowed by the

kale but appeared to be growing well nonetheless.

Normal Raised bed

The normal raised bed is a raised bed with no composting material

added. Benefits of the raised include increased aeration, reduced

weeds, better water holding capacity and protection of crops from

insects such as snails. Mrs Zondi planted turnips, leeks, marigolds

on the normal raised bed, however the spacing was slightly wider

than on the other two beds and someof the seedlings dried out.

Crop growth was moderate when compared to the other two beds.

Some of the bare soil on the raised bed was washed out when the

rains came which made it appear flatter than when it was first

made.

Right: Normal raised bed with no composting material added

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Control Plot

The control plot is the plot Mrs Zondi planted the way that she

usually plants. It was planted on the ground. There was no

composting material added. Crops planted include spinach, lettuce,

leeks and kale. The crops were growing well however, some of the

spinach and kale were damaged by cutworm. The control plot was

planted two days after the treatment plots.

Right: Mrs Zondi’s control plot – with no composting material added

Herbs

Mixed croppingentails including different types of crops with the

aim of increasing diversity and herbs were introduced for this reason.

Herbs areeasy to grow and containawide rangeof benefits which

include acting as cures for various ailments, uses in condiments and

various dishes and they also function as preservatives. Herbs are also

great companion plants as some are natural insect repellents. The

herbs planted in Mrs Zondi’s garden include thyme, coriander and

parsley. Some of the coriander was damaged by insects.

Right: Bed with herbs planted

Eco-Circle

The eco-circle was planted by Mrs Zondi after seeing the

demonstration. She planted spinach and beetroot. She made the eco-

circle as she wanted to compare which practice would give her the

best yield.

Right: Mrs ZOndi’s eco-circle

Conservation Agriculture

Field crops are an important part of Mrs Zondi’sfarming system as this is where she derives income.

She started implementing CA in 2018 and is now in her second growing season. One of the biggest

challenges with her soil is acidity and poor soil structure from years of erosion. She incorporated CA

as an alternative to mono cropping and also with the hope of improving the condition of her soil. She

planted two 200 m2plots of maize and beans this season. The plot that was previously intercropped

with cowpeas appeared to be growing more vigorously than the plot that had maize and beans.

However, the overallgermination andgrowth of beans was poor.She will plant winter cover crops

comprising of sodbuster radish, forage peas and black Sia oats in the blank spaces as a way to increase

soil cover and improve soil fertility.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Right and Far right:CA Trial

(left) maize and bean plot,

(right) maize and bean plot

which previously had cowpeas

Mrs Zondiselectedpractices

that leaned moretowards soil

fertility, water conservation

and crop management as these

were the main areas where she

identified issues. Moreover,

practices selected were those

that could easily be incorporated into her farming system. Below is a diagram of Mrs Zondi’s farming

system.

Figure 2: Layout of Mrs Zondi's farming system. (Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Practices implemented

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Additional Participants

The participants were provided with someseedlings and seed to plant in their homestead garden. Mrs

Rita Ngobese took some marigolds, thyme, parsley and basil to try out in her garden and they grew

well. Two participants stated that their seedlings were damaged by pests. The rest of the participants

that were also given

seed said they will

plant at the beginning

of the winter season.

Right:Mrs Rita

Ngobese's garden

Below is a small table summarising the different practices tried out in Swayimane

Table 6: CSA Practices and their relevance to water, soil fertility, crop management, livestock and natural resources

Ntabamhlophe (Estcourt-KZN)

Written by Samukelisiwe Mkhize

Mahlathini Development Foundation is working with 23 participants fromEmdwebu, Enkunzini and

De Klerk villages in Ntabamhlophe, with Lindelwa Ndaba an agricultural development officer from

Lima RDF who works with the farmers on a more regular basis, monitoring their garden practices and

now assisting with CA ‘maize and beans’ crop growth monitoring. Conservation Agriculture was

initially introduced through the WRC Climate change adaptation programme aimed at identifying best

Name of Practice

Water

Soil

Fertility/health

Crop

Management

Livestock

Management

Natural

Resources

Tower Garden

✓

Eco-circle

✓

Shallow, deep,

normal beds

✓

Mixed Cropping

✓

Conservation

Agriculture

✓

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

practice options for Climate-smart agriculture practices as well as soil and water conservation for local

smallholder farmers. Conservation Agriculture was chosen by the farmers as one of the practices to

experiment with to overcome issues with soil erosion, increased prevalence of pests and diseases as

well as seasonal shifts of rainfall and increased temperatures affecting not only agricultural production

but household food security due to decreasing yieldand cropgrowth potential. The farmers would

experiment to assess how the soil cover, intercropping and minimum soil tillage would help to

overcome these issues over time.

Ntabamhlophe is characterized by harsh winter conditions, very cold in winter and often affected by

frost conditions limiting agriculture activity during winter months, the winter months are also

characterized by limited rainfall. During this year’s planting season, farmers have expressed that the

dry and windy drought conditions within lesser rainfall than the past season has lessened maize crop

growth potential and late January rains have revitalised the crops affected by excessiveheatstress.

However, farmers believed that late planting has minimised the sun damage during November and

early December months. Nonetheless, this groupof optimistic and passionate farmers, are glad the

Conservation Agriculture programme began this season and eager to continue with in forthcoming

seasons.

The table below serves to summarise the CA experimentation undertaken in Ntabamhlophe.

Table 7: CA experimentation undertaken in Ntabamhlophe in the 2018-2019 season

Village

Trial

experiments

Trial

size

Inputs provided

Participants

who planted

Emdwebu

(year 1)

participants

Maize and

bean intercrop

100m2

28 kg MAP, 6 kg PAN 53 maize seed, 7 kg

uncertified 7 kg, beans seed, 2 bags of lime

(100kg), 140 ml of decis

DeKlerk

(year 1)

8 participants

Maize and

bean intercrop

100m2

16 kg MAP, 4 kg beans, 4 kg maize seed,

100kg of lime, 80ml decis

Participants received 500g of PAN 53 maize seed and 500g of an uncertified bean seed variety because

PAN 148 or Gadra was unavailable locally. While the certified bean seed is not the generally supplied

variety to farmers, the team relied on the local input suppliers’ knowledge of its suitability to local

conditions. During the monitoring process, it was great to see that the seed provided good

germination and some canopy cover with a few of the participants, in its early growth stages. Most of

the farmers had already planted traditional maize varieties in their fields and had space enough for

one plot but they did express interest in expanding their experimental plots after seeing the results of

this season’s experimentation. Unfortunately, during monitoring of the demonstration plot the

farmers expressed that this plot was taken over another farmer in the villageand they could not

continue there.

Sibongile Zuma

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Right: Mama Zuma standing in her maize and beans field.

Sibongile Zuma is68 years old woman from De Klerk

village. She is very passionateand hard-working, farming

mainly farming vegetablesand maize. She has a 1500m2

field and 400m2 garden where she plants her crops

throughout the year.This season she planted traditional

maize in her control plot and she intercropped PAN 53

maize seed and uncertified locally sourced beans seed on

the 13th December provided by MDF on a 100m2trialplot

without priorapplication of herbicide (see pictures

below). Sheopened basins and furrows and applied

micro-doses of MAP fertilizer with 50cm spacing between

both her maizeand beans. Herspacing is slightly more

than what is recommended in order to develop a canopy cover during early growth stages. The maize

germination percentage was 65% and grow stage at 4 and half weeks with 6 rows 10 metres long. She

believes that the growth potential of her crops would have been much better if it were raining like

past seasons, she hopes that once it starts raining and applies LAN fertilizer growth will improve. She

has not applied LAN fertilizer yet because the soil has been dry because of the low rainfall in December

and January. Beansgermination at 60%,without any signs of wilting, yellowing or pest infestation.

Crops are growing considerably well with in spite of this season’s drought conditions with no weeds

during monitoring. Before monitoring, she weeded once on 30th December andnoticed a few weeks

namely blackjack and couch grass.

Right: Close up

views of the

maize and

bean

intercropped

CA plots

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Thabsile Mzolo

Thabsile Mzolo isa65 year old woman livingin Emdwebu with her 3 children and 3 siblings. She is

unemployed and the headof the household. In her control plot she planted yellow maize on 7th

November, maize has been affected by the hot and dry weather conditions during the critical growth

stagesduringNovember and December Hertrial looks good;she believes the reason is that it was

planted later on the 14 December, without prior application of herbicide. It was good to see that like

Sibongile Zuma’s trial the uncertified bean variety has vigorous growth, despite slight prior concerns.

She has 50cm spacing between her maize and 25cm beans. At the time of monitoring 6 weeks later,

the maize germination percentage was 70% with 4 rows 11 metres long, showing good growth with

no weeds.Beans germination at 70% without any signs of wilting, yellowing or pest infestation. She

hand-weeded once,two weeks after planting, with mainly three typesof weeds; couch grass, black

jack and amaranthus.

Above left and Right: Thabisile Mzolo’s CA maize and bean intercropped plot

Gabisile Sithole

She is a 36 year-old woman livingin Emdwebuvillage with 10 children and 2 adults who are all under

her care. She works as an employee under a Department Public Works community work programme

working onatemporary basis and is a member of a garden learning group experimenting with climate-

smart practices. She sustains her family’s livelihood by selling some of the vegetable and maize harvest

to locals and keeps livestock (5goats and 10 indigenous chickens) in case she needs to eat or sell them.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Her CA experimentis an intercrop of PAN 53 maizeseed and uncertified locallysourced beans seed

planted on the 20th December on a 100m2trialplot without prior application of herbicide. She used

the same method of planting as the rest of the participants mentioned, except 60spacingbetween

her maizeand 25 cmbeans. The maize germination percentage was 60% at 5 weeks with 6 rows 10

metres long. Beans germination was70% without any signs of yellowing or pest infestation. She

weeded her trial once, noticing a few grass and amaranthus weeds. During monitoring there were no

visible weeds.

Above left and right: Gabisile Sithole’s CA plot of intercropped maize and beans

Above Left and Right:The garden in her homestead and learning group working together in the garden.

Alice/King Williams Town- EC

Written by Lawrence Sisitka

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Climatic Context and Farmer Participants

The area in which the Eastern Cape group of farmers operates lies between Berlin in the east and

Middledrift in the west and includes both peri-urban and rural situations. The climate is transitional

between the summer rainfall and winter rainfall zones, and the weatheris essentially quite

unpredictable, with wide and rapid variations in temperature and precipitation, sometimes on a daily

basis. The past few years have been characterised by long periods of drought broken by spells of

sometimes heavy rain. This, together with the fact that the once fairly predictable spring rains have

fallen later and later each year, arriving only in January this year, thus reducing the growing season

considerably, has played havoc with normal planting and harvesting routines. These shifts in weather

patterns have negatively affected basic food production to a major degree, with, for example, few

households in the area able to guarantee their annual supply of maize, especially this year when the

rains have come too late.

The Eastern Cape farmers participating in the WRC/CSA project are somewhat unusual in that they

have, in most cases, long been involved in the implementation of agro-ecological practices. They have

learned of these practices through their involvement in a number of initiatives and networks and with

organisations with strong agro-ecological leanings. One of the key organisations operating in this area

is the Zingisa Education Project, which works with farmers on a range of agro-ecological practices,

from which they have learned the value of natural methods, such as the improvement of soil health

through mulching and composting, and avoidance of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides. Theyhave

also long been practicing mixed and intercropping, and crop rotation. To this understanding has been

added knowledge of the importance of efficient use of available water, especially rainwater. This was

promoted through another WRC project; the Amanzi for Food Rainwater Harvesting and Conservation

(RWH&C) project lead bythe Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) atRhodes University.

The farmers are also well connected through a range of networks, such as the Rural Women’s

Assembly (RWA), the African Centre for Biodiversity(ACB) and more recently the Imvotho Bubomi

Learning Network (IBLN) of the Amanzi for Food project. They have therefore a strong tradition of

sharing with and learning from each other. They are also very open to experimentation with different

practices.

The introduction of CSA practices in such a context simply added to the farmers’ already quite strong

understandingof alternative, natural approachesto crop production and the rearing of livestock. Their

main concern, given the unpredictability of the climate (see above), is to cushion their food production

against the extremes of hot and cold, and wet anddry, and extend the growing season as much as

possible.

While the already strong understanding of agro-ecological practices and willingness to experiment are

very positive attributes in relation to the farmers’ uptake of CSA practices, they also pose something

of a problem in measuring changes in production in relation to specific practices. In other words, it is

very hard for them to identify a ‘before’ CSA, as they have been using related practices for years in

most cases. In addition, almost none of them have conducted any real quantitative measurements of

production, either in terms of weight or in numbers of bunches or similar. Indications of increased

production aretherefore mostlyanecdotal, and always tempered with the reality of the negative

impacts of the recurring droughts, makingyear-on-year production comparisons impossible. However

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

they are all convinced that the agro-ecology related practices including CSA

, have been beneficial to

their farming and their productivity. Another area in which most farmers have been active is in trying

different crops, including herbs, companion plants (such as marigolds) and ‘exotic’ crops such as okra

and groundnuts.

For one respondent in particular, Edmore Parichi of the Zingisa Education Project in Berlin, the focus

is on using the practices to train others rather than to actively produce (although there is real

production), and no production comparisons have been possible.

Individual Summaries

There follow brief summaries of the key points raised by the farmers during the monitoring visits.

Further details of the outputs from the visits are recorded in the Monitoring Report Forms, and, where

appropriate, in the Resilience Snapshot worksheets.

Ms Aviwe Biko

Ms Biko farmson 900m² of a cooperative irrigation venture situated by the Dimbaza dam. However

the irrigation system was developed based on the use of a diesel pump to abstract the water from the

dam, and for some time this has not been functional. Ms Biko is therefore reliant on the erratic rainfall

for watering her crops. The 900m² is the area which she farms individually, and on which she conducts

her agroecology practices.The1ha collectivefarming areawith which she is alsoinvolved isnot

included here. Ms Bikoalso has a 400m² homestead garden on which she runs her chickens as she

explains: ‘I can’t run the chickens and the vegetables in the same area’.

Ms Biko uses only basic gardening equipment, but grows a wide range of crops, including most

conventional vegetables together with okra, millet, groundnuts and brown rice; 9 types of herb; and

wild olive, aloe and African tobacco for use in medicines and natural pesticides. She implements a

variety of soil and water management practices, including composting, mulching, mixed cropping,

green manures, crop rotation, raised beds, trench beds, tower garden, eco-circle and diversion

furrows (the last 3 from the CSA project). She is also involved in seed saving (particularly indigenous

maize and celery), and is a seed activistwith the Rural Women’s Assemblyand the African Centrefor

Biodiversity (ACB). Ms Biko claims that apart from providing almost all the food needed by herself and

her 2 children, together with other family members, she loves the physical activity f gardening, and

would not like to be anywhere else. Howevershehas recently been recruited as aTB counsellor (a

post she has heldpreviously) for an NGO operating in her area, and this,together with the drought

has forced her to reduce the area she is cultivating.

It should be noted here that CSA, and in particular the Conservation Agriculture (CA)

component, are considered by many agro-ecologists the very antithesis of agro-ecology, as

they condone, and even promote the use of inorganic herbicides in lieu of tillage.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Right: Ms Biko with

her Millet

Far right:Ms Biko’s

Eco-circle and

Diversion Furrow

(lettuce, beetroot

and onions had

already been

harvested)

Ms Biko is very concernedabout the changes to the climate she is witnessing, and says that: ‘It is

disturbing nature’. It is also impacting on her garden and limiting the area that she can effectively

manage. Her analysis of the impact of the various practices she is using is as follows (from the

monitoring report):

Practice (what is

there)

Diversification:

Crops planted

(livestock kept)

Productivity

Water use and

conservation

Soil conservation,

fertility, health

1.Raised beds

No real impacton

diversity

Limited impact

on productivity

Tend to dry out so not

good for water

conservation

No real impact here

2.Trench beds

Allow for some

diversification

Increases this

Good for this

Very good for this

3.Tower garden

Some

diversification

Can be very

productive in

small space

Probably requires

more water

Depends on how it is

constructed

4.Eco-circle

Some diversity

possible

Very productive

Efficient use of water

Good for fertility and

soil health

5.Diversion Furrow

No real impact

Helps with this

A key practice for this

Probably not much

impact, although

reduces drying out

6.Composting

Allows for diversity

Essential for this

Very helpful here

Great for the soil

7.Mulching

Some impact on

diversity

Certainly good

for productivity

Saves a lot of water

Good for the soil

8.Mixed cropping

and crop rotation

Strong focus on

diversity

Increases

productivity

No real impact here

Should help the soil

9. Seed saving

Part of diversity

Not really

No real impact

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

10.Natural

pesticides

Increases diversity

by use of

companion plants

Should increase

productivity

No real impact

Probably helps with

healthy soil

Ms Biko is the only farmer in this group who has clear quantitative data on production of some crops.

This is, she says, because of the various agro-ecological practices she has been able to produce enough

to secure a contract with a local Boxer supermarket to provide 100 bunches of spinach (@R12/bunch)

for every month from October to January, and 100 bunches (approx.1kg each) of beetroot

(@R12/bunch) permonth throughoutthe year. She also supplies ‘an Indianshop’ with bunches of

coriander @R10/bunch, throughout the year. The money from these sales and the sales of a few eggs

go into a savings account.

As with all other farmers in this group, Ms Biko is very keen on both learning from others, including

her fellow farmers, and sharing whatever understanding she has with others. These included her local

community, local schools and the clinic at which she is now working.

Although she is generally of a positive disposition, Ms Biko says that the implementation of the agro-

ecology practices, including the CSA practices, together with her interactions with other farmers, and

people from the variousprojects and institutions has strengthened her mindset, whichis now more

positive despite the ongoing challenges presented by life and the weather.

Nomasomi Mjacu

Ms Mjacu is mostly unemployed although receives a small stipend from an NGO for whom she does

occasional training. She is completely passionate about agro-ecology and implements a wide range of

practices on a large, 1500m², plot close to her familyhomestead in Quzini. She says that gardening

makes her feel; complete and that: “…a day without working in the garden is not a real day”.

She works with just basic gardening equipment augmented occasionally by drip irrigation pipes, and

2litere bottles for drip irrigation. She

has her ‘office’ in the garden where

she does her teaching, especially

with learners from the local primary

school.

Right: Ms Mjacu in her ‘Office’ (Her

family homestead and kraal in the

background)

Ms Mjacu grows a very wide variety

of vegetable andherbs, some 30

different types in total, although

they are not always present at the same time. She also has a few chickens and has recently acquired

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

a beehive, which is situated at some distance from the

garden in a clump of bushes. She has not harvested any

honey to date, but expects to doso before the winter sets

in.

Right: Ms Mjacu’s Beehive

Ms Mjacuimplements a range of practices, but tends to

focus on raised beds in a variety of shapes, including the

‘Mandela Bed’ in the shape of an M. There are also deep

trenches and diversion furrows in her garden. Soil

improvement is through the use of kraal manure, mostly

from her chickens and the neighbour’s cattle, compost, and

the useof drygrass for mulching. She saysthat everyone

knows she likes to have this grass, and when they are cutting

they bring it to her.In addition Ms Mjacu practices mixed cropping, crop rotation the use of natural

pesticides and seed saving. She is a seed saving trainer for Zingisa Education Project. Her analysis of

the impact of the various practices is as follows:

Practice (what is

there)

Diversification:

Crops planted

(livestock kept)

Productivity

Water use and

conservation

Soil conservation,

fertility, health

1.Composting and

mulching

Possible helps a bit

with diversity

Increases

productivity

Essential for efficient

water use

Great for soil

fertility and health

2. Raised beds

Don’t really make

much different

here

Not necessarily

Can actually be worse

for this as they dry

out easily

Probably easier to

manage with

compost and

mulch, so might

help here

3. Trench beds

Provide

opportunityfor

more diversity

Definitely increase

this

Make gooduse of

available water

Great for this

4.Drip irrigation

Not really

Probably, but on

limited scale

Efficient and effective

use

Stops erosion

5.Diversion furrows

Not directly

Probably but hard

to quantify

Makes more water

available

Can avoid erosion

in some areas

6.Mixed cropping

and crop rotation

Definitely

increases diversity

Good increase

Probably not much

effect on this

Helps keep soil

fertile and healthy

7.Natural pesticides

Allows for greater

diversity

Almost certainly

Little impact on this

Maybe some

impact here?

8. Seed saving

Greater diversity of

crop types

Maybe if they are

more tolerant of the

conditions

Not really

Possibly, not sure

Ms Mjacu has never really quantified the amount she grows, but claims that she doesn’t need to buy

much food, especially vegetables and she also provides the family with eggs and occasional chicken.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Her main problem is with water, and when there is a drought she has to reduce the area she cultivates

so that she can use what little water she has more effectively. She does have a Jojo tank on her house,

but that is used for domestic purposes as there is no connection to the municipal supply in her part of

the village. She is negotiating with the municipality to clean out an old dam, and she plans then to run

her drip irrigation system from that.

She is generally quite concerned about climate change and suggests that this is why she has hadto

reduce her croppingarea, because of drought. She also says that animals, such as rats frogs and

snakes cannot find food in the bush, so they move into the homesteads and cause trouble. The lack of

water is also causing problems as children are developing rashes from the water brought by the

municipal trucks

She has long been part of various networks, including the Zingisa project and the IBLN,and loves

learning from other farmers and sharing her knowledge with them.She is particularly concerned with

teaching young people about the importance of good farming, and runs workshops in her garden for

local learners. She also learns from older ladies with older cultural practices, such as drying of

traditional foods, whichshe isnow startingto do. For Ms Mjacu,with herhistory ofagro-ecological

practices, the CSA ideas are not really new, but she is happy to incorporate them in her farming.

While usually a positive person, she is finding the ongoing drought quite a challenge, and is currently

growing few vegetables. Her mindset has not really changed much since inaugurating the CSA

practices.

Phindiwe Msesiwe

Ms Msesiwe cultivates a very productive garden covering some 875m² at her homestead in Quzini.

She is unemployed but keeps herself very busywith the garden, which she alsosays she loves, with

her churchand membership of numerous associations, such as the indigenous goat association and

the IBLN. She has long been implementing agro-ecological practices and the new CSA practices she

has introduced, including a tower garden,an ecocircle and diversion furrow, fit in well with her

approach.

Ms Msesiwepractices soil management through deep trenching, composting and mulching, with

mixed cropping and crop rotation to control pests. Her membership of the IBLN has motivated her to

introduce morewater conservation practices, including drip irrigation. She harvests water from her

roof, although does also have a municipal supply in the house. Some of the beds are irrigated using 2

litre drip bottles, while others are irrigated using buckets. Ms Msesiwe also practices green manuring

using legumes, and has a range of different bed designs, including raised beds and trench beds. She

makes compost, which is augmented by the manure from the livestock, all of which are kept in pens,

with only the chickens allowed to roam freely for part of each day.

As with the other farmers in the group Ms Msesiwe grows a wide range of vegetables and herbs, and

some plants such as aloe, wormwood and wild garlic for pest control. She also has a range of fruit,

including strawberries, bananas, apricot, peaches, oranges, apples and figs.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

She has a small pond, fed by a diversion furrow, and has recently

erected a shade-cloth tunnel, which she uses as her nursery and to

grow a variety of different lettuce types.

Right: Ms Msesiwe’s pond, banana plant and shade-cloth enclosure

Ms Msesiwe has a range of livestock, includingchickens, goatsand

pigs, and these with the vegetables produce most of the food

needed by the family. She makes a small income from occasional

sales of vegetables and other produce, although she did not

quantify this. She is also involved in running a soup kitchen for the

elderly people in the village, and uses much of her own produce for

this.

Ms Msesiwe’s analysis of the impact of the various practices is as

follows:

Practice (what is

there)

Diversification:

Crops planted

(livestock kept)

Productivity

Water use and

conservation

Soil conservation,

fertility, health

1.Composting

Helps with this

Increases

productivity

Can save a bit on

water

Improves fertility

and soil health

2.Mulching

Can help with this

Increases

productivity

Saves water

Also improves

fertility

3.Trench beds

Good for diversity

Increases

productivity

Uses water well

Good for fertility

and soil health

4.Raised beds

Not much

difference

About the same

Can dry out too much

No real effect on

this

5.Tower Garden

Can help here

Increases

productivity

Can dry out, needs

quite a lot of water

Can create good

soil

6.Eco-circle

Provides

opportunityfor

this

Very productive

Holds water well

Makes good soil

7.Small dam

No direct impact

Can help with

productivity

Useful source of extra

water

No real impact here

8.Diversion furrow

No direct impact

Can help

Brings extra water in

No direct impact

9. Drip irrigation

Not really

Can increase

productivity

Effective use of

limited water

No real impact

10.Natural

Pesticides

Provides more

diversity

Helps increase this

No obvious impact

Avoids poisoning

the soil

11. Greywater

Just helps a little

with watering

Possibly helps with

this

Certainly helps here

Not much impact

As a member of many different associations andnetworks, Ms Msesiwe is constantly learning from

others and sharing her understanding with them. She is a passionate educator about the value of good

farming, and about doing the physical work herself. Her understanding of climate change is quite

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

sophisticated and she agrees with the other famers that the

main problem is the rains coming late, and then being very

unpredictable. She is also concerned that the wild insects and

animals are coming more into the homesteads and becoming

pests. She cites the example of ants now being in the house

constantly, and how she needs to keep everything very clean

and food locked away,in the fridgeif possible to keep the ants

out of it.

Generallya very positive person, Ms Msesiwe has found her

confidence growing with her interactions with different

farmers, associations and networks, and says that she is much

more positive then before shestarted on her agro-ecology

journey.

Right:Ms Msesiwe’s Ecocircle, Bottle circle and Tower garden

Tshembela Nadathini

Ms Nadathini is employed in the Zingisa offices for 2 days each week, and from there has learned

many agro-ecological practiceswhich she hasimplemented in her 400m² garden in uMzantsi near

Dimbaza. She has always been keen to trynew ideas,particularly ones that might help her use the

little water she has more efficiently. She would like to install a Jojo tank to collect her roof water, but

the costs of the tank and the associated guttering and piping are beyond her reach.

Using just basic gardening tools Ms Nadathini grows a variety of the usual vegetables, together with

some herbs including mint and thyme, and pest control plants, such as wild garlic, comfrey, marigold

and aloe. She uses sunlight soap to control aphids, and ashes for slugs.The garden also contains an

apple tree, an apricot tree, and an orange tree which has not yet produced fruit. She also keeps a few

chicken (4 at present), and 1 pig. The pig is permanently pennedbut the chicken roam freely. The pig

manure is used to augment the compost she makes, and is also used directly in the soil.

As her garden is on a slope, Ms Nadathini has put in some contour bunds to prevent soil erosion and

reduce water run-off. She employs a range of practices, includingmixed and inter-cropping,

composting and mulching, all of which she claims enable her to grow some vegetables year-round,

which she was not able to do before implementing these practices.

The majority of the produce is consumed by the family, and she also gives or exchanges some

vegetables with her neighbours, and very occasionally sells a bunch of spinach or a cabbage.She is

very pleased that the garden helps reduce the family’s food costs, and she also really enjoys the

physical exercise involved in the gardening.

Ms Nadathini’s analysis of the impact of the various practices is as follows:

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Practice (what is

there)

Diversification:

Crops planted

(livestock kept)

Productivity

Water use and

conservation

Soil conservation,

fertility, health

1. Contour

bunds

No real impact

Probable increase,

but not quantified

Reduces run-off

Stops loss of soil

through erosion

2.Composting and

mulching

Enables greater

diversification of

crops

Certainly

increases

productivity

Reduces loss of

water and need for

watering

Increases fertility

3.Natural

pesticides

Part of pest

control is

intercropping,so

greater diversity

Reduces losses

No real impact

Probably little

impact

4. Intercropping

and crop rotation

Greater crop

diversity

Increased

productivity

Little impact

Reduces loss of

fertility

Right:Ms Nadathini by one of

her contoured beds

Ms Nadathinifirst learned

gardening from her mother,

but says it was verydifferent

then, when the gardenhad to

be kept very clean and neat

and everything such as the

weeds and crop residues were

thrown away, and you could

only grow 1 crop in a bed. She

says it wasquite hard for her

at first to dothings differently,

mixing her planting, using all the weeds and crop residues for compost, and not minding too much if

the garden didn’t look as neat. She shares what she is learning with others, and wanted her church to

set up a garden like hers, but she says that: “They thought that it would be too much hard work, and

didn’t want to do that.”

She realises that there are changes in the way the weather operates, with the rains coming late, and

being much more unpredictable. There also seem to be more very hot days. She pointed out that

after a long period of drought, followed by some rain, her apple tree had produced some blossoms,

probably as a result of it thinkingthat it was spring. This was an interesting observation, which has

bene reinforced in other places, and by the sight of jacaranda blooms in the late summer.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Right:Ms Nadathini’s Apple tree blossoming in March

Me Nadathinifeels that her mindsetis more positive than

before she started workingwith the agroecology and CSA

practices, although shewould feel better if she could afford

the Jojo tank.

Mr Edmore Parichi for Zingisa Education Project

Mr Parichiis a training co-ordinator for the Eastern Cape

section of the Zingisa Education Project, and the garden he

manages in Berlin is essentially a training site for agro-ecology

practices. As such he is not a farmer in the conventional

sense, and is not growing crops for his own or his family’s

consumption, or for sale, but rather as training

demonstrations andpractical exercises. The team he leads

comprises 6 staff, including administrative and cleaning staff and 4 interns from Fort Cox Agricultural

and Forestry Training Institute. The garden covers 0.9ha and includes a wide range of different

practices including trench beds, raised beds, minimum tillage, composting, mulching, mixed cropping,

crop rotation, use of natural pesticides, water harvesting and seedsaving (beans, maize and herbs).

Many of the other farmers in the CSA group have received training through Zingisa, and their practices

reflect what they have learned here.

A wide range of vegetables are grown, including some less common types such as watermelon, okra

and sweet potato. Various herbs, including mint and thyme, together with plants used for natural pest

control such as wild garlic, comfrey (also as a soil conditioner), and wormwood.Fruit includes

pomegranate, guava, peach and orange. Vetch is grown as a leguminous cover crop. No livestock is

raised. In addition to the usual basic gardening equipment they have hosepipes, a shade-cloth nursery,

a shade-cloth tunnel, a raingauge, a drip irrigation container and pipes, and 3 soil water testing

chameleons (the last 5 items as part of the CSA project experimentation).

Mr Parichi admits that the initial experiments set up for the CSA project were not successful, primarily,

he says, as there was initially trouble sending the chameleon data to the centre in Pietermaritzburg.

Then they were not provided with sufficient data for the smart-phone to send the information,and

finally the intern responsible for this activity has left. There is now another inter who will be with

Zingisa for 18 months, who will be taking this over. A secondexperiment has been set up with

comparative trench beds, one inside and one outside the shade-cloth tunnel planted with broccoli at

the same spacing on the same day. It is intended to measure the production of these beds carefully.

The drip-irrigation experiment has been provisionallyabandoned as it is intended to extend the area

under irrigation, and this will require a largercontainer, set higher from the ground, and extensions

to the pipes. Once again it is intended to compare production on this to a control plot.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Right: Temporarily abandoned

drip irrigation experiment at

Zingisa

Far Right: Broccoli planted on

comparative beds (one inside

shade-cloth tunnel) with

chameleons

With regards to the

chameleons itappears that

while these were read regularly

(although most data could not

be sentthrough to the central

computer) the information

from them as not really used to determine the levelsof watering required, as this was determined

through the more conventional process of just looking at the plants and at the soil.

Despite this falteringstart with the CSA experimentation it is intended to pick this up and conduct

some rigorous experiments comparing shade-cloth and non-shade-cloth; trench beds and normal

beds; drip irrigation and normal watering.

Mr Parichi’s analysis of the impacts of the practices which they are implementing are as follows:

Practice (what is there)

Diversification:

Crops planted

(livestock kept)

Productivity

Water use and

conservation

Soil conservation,

fertility, health

1. Trench beds

Can increase

potential for

diversity

Increase

Help with this

Good for this

2. Raised beds

No real impact

Not necessarily

Can be counter-

productive

(drying out)

No real impact

3. Minimum tillage

Some potential for

increased diversity

In the longer term

perhaps

Should certainly

help with this

Definitely

beneficial here

4. Composting

Can help here

Definite increase

Certainly helps

Very good impact

5. Mulching

Some increase

possible

Definite increase

Very useful

Good impact

6. Mixed cropping

and crop rotation

Increases diversity

Definite increase

No real direct

impact

Helps with soil

health

7. Water harvesting

(tanks, drums etc.)

More potential for

diversity

Certainly helps

Very important

No direct impact

8. Natural pesticides

Requires greater

diversity

Positive impact

Not really

Stops poisons in

the soil

9. Seed saving and

propagation

Can leadto greater

diversity

Not directly, but

encourages more

production

No direct impact

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

As a training organisation Zingisa’s mandate is to share information with farmers, and this is the main

focus of Mr Parichi’s work. Theyalso share through various networks such as the IBLN and Ilizwi

Lamafama, and are linked tomore national and regional networks including Rural Women’s Assembly

and he African Centre for Biodiversity.

Climate change is seen as a reality, with one of the main effects beinga shortening of the growing

season, through the late arrival of the spring rains. Mr Parichi suggeststhat growing short-season

varieties, for crops such as maize, may be part of the solution, however he cautions that theseare

often lower-yielding than conventional full-season varieties. Zingisa’s approach is very much that good

agro-ecological practicesare in themselves more robust and adaptable than the conventional

commercial approaches, and should help farmers be more resilientin the face of changing climatic

conditions.

Xolisa Dwane for the Mxumbu Youth Co-operative

Mxumbu Youth Group started up in 2015 with 21members. Currently there are 9 active members.

They started with a cleanslate of having no land at all under cultivation, but since themthey have

brought 2ha of vegetable garden associated with different homesteads (although most is connected

to Mr Dwane’shome) under cultivation. They have also negotiated with the local leadership access

to 14.2ha of commonage, previously terraced under the homeland ‘betterment programme’, of which

they have so far plantedsome 2ha. They are avowedly commercial in intent,and are determined to

make a successful business out of their farming activities. In addition,they are already involved in

training people in other communities, for which they sometimes receive payment.

Although the group is relativelynew to farming, they have learned a great deal from other farmers,

the Zingisa Education Project and other NGOs including World Vision, and the IBLN network. Their

approach from the beginning has therefore been inclined towards agro-ecological and water

conservation practices, andthey are always keen to experiment with new practices and new crops.

Their association with the CSA project is therefore a natural extension of this, and they have

wholeheartedly taken up some CSA practices.

In the garden area they grow a large variety of mostly conventional vegetables, but also a range of

herbs and pest control plants, and some peaches and bananas. These are grown under a range of

different practices, including trench beds, tower garden, circles, no-till (CSA), tied ridges (CSA), trickle

irrigation and furrow irrigation (CSA). Mulching and composting are practiced as standard across the

garden.

Mr Dwane,himself raises numbers of livestock with other members of his family. The livestock

currently include 33 goats, 11 chicken, 4 sheep and 1 pig, all of which are in pens or ‘hocks’ with the

goats and sheep grazing on the commonage during the day. At one time Mr Dwane and another

Mxumbu member tried to set up a more intensive chicken rearing business, but thecost of food, and

losses to disease defeated this attempt. They are, however, determined to learn from this experience

and try again.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

They sell produce almost continuously from the garden,

especially spinach, beans, green peppers and carrots.

They also have a growing market for onion seed and

other seeds which they have started saving. They are also

looking for a market for some of the herbs which are

growing profusely.

Right: Mxumbu Youth Group: Rocket (in foreground),

spinach and green pepper plants on raised beds with

tower garden in background

In the cropland they prepared contour ridges on which

they planted a range of crops: maize (which failed

entirely due to a long drought following the planting);

beans (which did produce a small amount to sell);

pumpkin and butternut (which also managed to produce

some saleable produce); and watermelon (which

somewhat surprisingly was the most successful crop and

has produced a large number of watermelons the sale of

which they are negotiating). Their lesson from this

experience is that multi-cropping is likely to be more

effective than mono-cropping in these difficult

circumstances, as, had they only planted maize, they

would have had nothing.

Right: Mr Dwane with watermelon dominating the

cropland

Mr Dwane’s analysis of the impact of their practices is as

follows:

Practice (what is

there)

Diversification:

Crops planted

(livestock kept)

Productivity

Water use and

conservation

Soil conservation,

fertility, health

1.Mulching

Use on all crops

Increases

productivity

Saves water

Improves soil

2.Composting

In garden for

trench beds and

others

Good for

productivity

Holds water in the

ground, so save water

Improves soil

3.Ridges/furrows

Used in garden and

in field

Not sure, but helps

with intercropping

and irrigation

Helps with irrigation

Not sure

4.Trench beds

Can plant good

diversity

Definitely goodfor

productivity

Helps with this

Very good for

fertility and health

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

5.Circles

Also good for

diversity

Produce a lot in

small space

Good for this

Certainly helps with

soil fertility

6.Tower Garden

Can plant a lot in

small space

Good productivity in

beginning

Needs a lot of water

Not sure

7. Raised beds

Little impact on

this

Little increase, but

easier to work

Dries out quickly

Not on its own –

needs composting

and mulching

8. No Till

No impact

Not sure

Possibly

Probably

9.Mixed cropping

Greater diversity

including herbs

Increases

productivity

Maybe takesmore

water, but keeps

ground covered

Might help

10.Crop rotation

Not much impact

here

Should increase

productivity as

reduces pests

Probably not much

impact

Should help

especially with

green manures

11.Natural

pesticides

No impact

Should help here

No impact

Should help

To date the Group have not kept records of production or sales, but Mr Dwane realises that this is

something they will need to do if they wish to become fully professional in their farming activities. All

they can say at the moment is that they are constantly increasing production, and now producing and

selling year-round. This is perhaps mostly due totheir diligence and energy together with their

adoption of appropriate and effective farming practices.

The Mxumbu Youth Group are deeply involved in both learning themselves, from anyone who is willing

to share their knowledge, and teaching and motivating others, particularly youth from other

communities. They are linked through most of the networks in their immediate area, and are

branching out to provide support in other areas.

In terms of understanding climate change and its implications; Mr Dwane andthe other Mxumbu

Youth Group members have gained considerable understanding from their networksand various

initiatives, such as the WRC Amanzi for Food and CSA projects, with which they are involved. Their

main concern, as with the other farmers, is that the rains are coming later, shortening the growing

season, especially for maize, which is the most important staple crop. They believe that the agro-

ecological practices which they are implementing will help them withstand many of the impacts of

climate change.

Mr Dwane himself has a very positive approach to everything he does, and this remains undimmed

despite challenges with drought and some difficulties in marketing some produce.

Eqeleni and Ezibomvini- Bergville-KZN

Written by Samukelisiwe Mkhize

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Process

The project aims to assist farmers in making decisions with their farming systems and to evaluate and

identify best practice options for Climate Smart Agriculture. The monitoring approachinvolves farmers

in a cyclical learningprocess;to provide for meaningful participation of farmers in the process of

investigating improvements in water and soil management in both garden and field farming activities.

This involves involving taking experimental actions, observing and continuously reflecting on changes

taking place in their gardenand field experiments. This process has been emphasised duringthe

monitoring process holding brief discussions in the field or garden about the importance of noting

information such as pest and disease incidence, water usage, crop growth and harvesting.

It was then critical to explain tothem that thisis a learning process,it is notjust for us but for them

as well. This has been andcontinuesto bereinforced through discussing what the datameans with

them, how its relevant to what they aredoing as well as, validating their thoughts and observations

by acting through experimentation.

This would not be possible without building trusting relationship

with thefarmers inwhich they feltopento be honest with us

about all decisions they are making especially, water

management. Farmers think that vegetable production requires

a lot of water for crops to mature and grow quickly. This acts as a

barrier in assisting farmers to develop into water managers.

Farmers prefer to use their visual assessments of the soil

moisture instead of the chameleons (visual decision support tool)

with robot system (green, blue and red feedback signals.

Right: A chameleon installed in a gardening plot in Ezibomvini

In practice, the issue seems to be integrating

technologies/practices with people, not just practices/technologies with the environment. Initially

participants did not have a good understandingof the significance of this tool andthe use of it was

something too scientific for them. This led to participants not always using the chameleons themselves

but instead asking other household members (younger) to assist with its use. The farmer was not using

the chameleon signals to make water usage decisions. It was explained to the farmers that getting

assistance is not wrong, but the issue is that the chameleons were not used for its intended purpose.

For this reason, an alternative measure had to be sought which included regular monitoring of data

recorded and a workshop going through the theoretical and practical significance of the use of the

chameleon devices. The role of the chameleonswas also discussed as a device installed to enable

them to make informed decisions regarding water usage and thereafter determine how much water

is used, in chameleons installed both in the trench bed inside the tunnel and outside the tunnel.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Thereafter, the farmer shouldrecord water usage,

harvesting data, pest anddisease incidenceandheat

resistance of the outside tunnel production versus inside

tunnel production. Following this anewdata collection

tool,discussed and agreed upon with the farmers,was

devised to assist the farmerto have a more visual

representation of the chameleon readingsandrelating

this to water applied and produce harvested using atally

system. The tally system was specificallyintroduced to

assist all thefarmers, bothliterate and illiterate,to have

a system to monitor these gardening practices. The role

of local facilitatorshas alsobeenilluminated,because the

process relied on them to assist other memberswith the

concise recording of data. We are working closely with

this process and steadily making some progress.

Right: An example of the new monitoring form filled in by

one of the farmer participants; which indicates watering,

harvesting for each of the crops, the chameleon readings

and a column for comments at the end

During the process,farmers arecontinuallysharing their experiences,including pests and diseases

issues with the team;whatthey think they are and the causes of the infestation. Phase two of the

tunnel experiment included mix croppingof onions, green peppers and Chinese cabbage. According

to the farmers, onions seedlings did not survive because the Chinese cabbage and green pepper tree

leaves covered the onions seedlings preventing growth. The onions were out competed. Farmers also

shared issues with pest and diseases specifically with Chinese cabbage. They believe that the

infestation is caused by their soil type (clay).

Right: Small holes caused by pests feeding, with subsequent rotting of

the stems, in Chinese Cabbage

The team shared that the reason could be that the hot and dry

conditions ofthis past season didnot favour the crop. During this

upcoming cool season, we will repeat experimentation with the crop

which is predominantly a cool season crop during this winter season.

Water issues- Ezibomvini

Farmers in the Ezibomvini village of Bergville encounter various issues

in relation to water and accessibility where their predominant water

source is local springs. These springs are usually quitefar fromtheir

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

homesteads and their use is shared with other people from the village as well as livestock.

Spring protection will enable farmers to have a secure and reliable water source which can help them

to focus more on their gardening; which was previously not as widespread due to the unavailability of

required water close by. This issue hasbeen discussed in both Ezibomvini and Eqeleni. In the latter

village not much momentum has been gained for participants to work together to solve their water

issues locally.

A recent follow-up meeting was held with Ezibomvini farmers to discuss their commitment toward

the implementation of the spring protection plan to allow for easier access of water at household

level.

Farmers present at meeting Ezibomvini- 20 February 2019

Name

Surname

Nombono

Dladla

Mantombi

Mabizela

Cabangani

Hlongwane

Landiwe

Dlamini

Lungile

Sithole

Ntombenhle

Hlongwane

Halalisiwe

Mthonti

Phumelele

Hlongwane

Balungile

Mkhwanazi

Zodwa

Zikode

At the meeting thetotal cost of implementation andactivities were outlined (as proposed by Chris

Stimie after his visit to the area). Farmers felt that it would cost a lot, but that they would also be very

willing to carry out some of the activitiesthemselves (to reduce labour costs)and seekalternative

assistance from local leadership (e.g. digging using–Tractorloader backhoes-TLB) in order to decrease

the total costs. While there were other members not present at the meeting who would like to be

involved in the process,the group present expressed that a total 10 householdswere committed to

investing in this process and resolvedto contribute R 1000.00 per household towards thematerials

required to protect the spring and connecting pipes.

Between our last meeting and the recent one, they dug up a small damfor a spring to feedintoand

attempted to channel that water with a furrow to one of the homesteads. Although this process did

not work, they have decided that this particular spring would work better for their purposes and have

also decided to have the main header tank at a different household to what originally discussed.

Tower Gardens

Tower gardens were introduced across three Bergville villages. These were demonstrated at

Ezibomvini, Thamela andEmabunzini.The tower gardens were introduced primarilyto out scale

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

climate smart agriculture practices with the aim to increase climate change adaptation. In each of the

demonstrationsa few participants from each learning group were present.It was important to use

materials that are easily accessible as alternatives for recommended materials such as, sacks in place

of shade netting. A practical approach was taken to introduce the practice; the farmer will now assess

and manage the practice and report on its water managementbenefits etc. The participants are

collecting materials for keyhole gardens to compare with the tower gardens.

Village and participant

Village

Participants name

Ezibomvini

Phumelele Hlongwane

Emabunzini

Valindaba Khumalo

Thamela

Constance Hlongwane

Materials:

•Soil, kraal manure (goats or cow manure), wood ash, dry grass, greens, 50 kg /80 kg sack, tin

cut open on both sidesand stones

Seedlings:

•Mustard spinach, regular spinach, kale, cabbage, parsley, spring onions, leeks andregular

onions.

Step 1: Collection and mixing of materials

Step 2: Placed opened tin at centre of 50 kg bag & Fill open tin with stones

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Step 3: Filled sides of bag with mix

of materials and raise tin once the

filling reaches top of the tin (repeat

till bag is full, watering the bag at

alternate layers)

Step 4: Open staggered holes on sides of sack, plant seedlings through the holes and/or ontop of

the sack

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Step 5: Final product

Conservation Agriculture monitoring in Bergville

For the CA experimentation the bulk of field work and monitoring are conducted under the auspices

of the Maize Trust Smallholder Farmer Innovation project. Here, we report some of the relevant

monitoring information.

The table below outlines the villages, numbers of participants and experimentation processesfor the

present learning groups in the Bergville area.

Table 8:ACTIVITIES AND NUMBERS OFFARMERSINVOLVED,PERVILLAGEFOROCTOBER2018-SEPTEMBER2019.

BERGVILLE

Villages

Learning

group No

2017

2018

(planted)

COMMENTS

Emabunzini

13 (4)

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Emangweni-

Engodini

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Emangweni-

Emaqeleni

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Eqeleni

1st, 2nd ,3rd,4th, 5th level experimentation;

intercropping, crop rotation, SCC

Ezimbovini

1st, 2nd ,3rd,4th, 5th level experimentation;

intercropping, crop rotation, SCC

Magangangozi

1st and 2nd,3rd level experimentation;

intercropping, ???

Mhlwazini

1st and 2nd,3rd level experimentation;

intercropping, SCC

Ngoba

1st and 2nd,3rd level experimentation;

intercropping, SCC

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Nsuka-

Zwelisha

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Okhombe

23(7)

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Stulwane

1st, 2nd ,3rd,4th, 5th level experimentation;

intercropping, croprotation, SCC, fodder

crops

Stulwane

(Emahlathini)

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Thamela

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Thunzini

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Vimbukhalo

1st and 2nd level experimentation;

intercropping

Ndunwana

1st and 2nd,3rd level experimentation;

intercropping, SCC

Emazimbeni

22(3)

1st and 2nd,3rd level experimentation;

intercropping, SCC

Emafefetheni

1st level experimentation; intercropping

Emadakaneni

1st level experimentation; intercropping

Grand Total

286

279

205

15,2 ha trials;

In this season, due to the localised drought in Bergville and the difficulties in procuring and delivering

inputs 259 participants across 19 villages were provided with inputs for conducting farmer level trials.

Of these 205 participants planted their trials. Of these 14 were new participants for the season 2018-

2019.

Progress snapshots

(i)Gravimetric soil water contentassessment–soil sampling at Bergville

This season only one set of soil samples were taken for gravimetric soil water assessments, given the

time- consuming nature of this activity. These samples would give an indication of soil water content

at different depths (30cm, 60cm, 90cm and 120cm), at different stages of crop growth, during the

season. Samples are taken at planting, 4-6 leaf stage, tussling and harvesting.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Samples were taken in Ezibomvini (Phumelele Hlongwane) at planting on the 7th of November 2018.

Above Left and Right: taking the gravimetric soil samples in Phumelele’s CA trial plot

Below is Phumelele Hlongwane’s 1000m2 trial plot layouts(2018/2019) and points or plots where

gravimetric sampling was done.

Plot 5

Plot 4

M+B

Plot 3

M+CP

Plot 2

M+CP

Plot 1

SCC

Plot 6

M+B

Plot 7

M+B

Plot 8

M+B

Plot 9

Plot 10

LAB LAB

(ii)Participatory monitoring

A total of 7 villages have rain gauges installed in their homesteads with the responsibility of recording

of data entrusted upon the participants along with assistance from members where participants are

illiterate.

In the previous season, participants did not record the rainfall data very welland in this season, they

were provided with more in depth monitoring and assistance to do so. In Thamela the rain gauge was

moved to a different homestead.

The table below indicates present homesteads where rain gauges have been installed.

Table 9: Rain gauge installation and member responsible for collection of data

Village

Name of participant

Person responsible for data collection

1. Ndunwana

Boniwe Hlatshwayo

2. Stulwane

Nelisiwe Msele

3. Ezibomvini

Phumelele Hlongwane

4. Eqeleni

Ntombakhe Zikode

Cebisile Zikode

5. Emangweni

Thembisile Mazibuko

6. Thamela

Constance Hlongwane

7. Mhlwazini

Phumzile Zimba

Nompilo Zimba (Grand-daughter)

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

From the above table villages 1-4 also have runoff pans installed and the participants are also

responsible for recording this data, as these two sets of data are directly related. It was stressed that

after each rainfall event rain gauge and runoff data should be recorded together

Above Left: Thamela: Mam Constance Hlongwaneorientated about reading rain gauge

measurements. Above Middle and Right: Mam Phumelele Hlongwane from Ezibomvini taking run off

pan measurements

In the installation of run off pans, attention needs to

be given to the slope of the field in question; which

should not be more than 5%. Inaddition, the pan

itself needs to be level, toallow the un-off to drain

properly into the catchingbucket, installed

underground below the pan.

Right: measuring the level of the run-off pan on

installation

For each of the four participants a number of run-ff

pans were installed. For example, 5 pans were

installed for Nelisiwe Msele in Stulwane.

Plot 10

M+B

Plot 9

M+CP

Plot 8

BEANS

Plot 7

MAIZE

Plot 6

SCC

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

She has a 1000m2trial and a

control plot of equal size the

diagram below indicates the

plots where run-off plots were installed.

Trial-1000m2

Control plot 1000m2

Boniwe Hlatshwayo in

Ndunwanahad two run-off

pans installed; one in her CA trial plot and one in her control plot, as she

is still in her 2nd-3rd year of experimentation with a 400m2trial plot.

Right: Installation of run-off pan in Boniwe’s CA trial plot

Trial 400m2

M+CP

M+B

M+CP

M+B

Control 400m2

MAIZE

(iii)Rainfall and run-off data

The table below outlines the rainfall data kept by the volunteers nad Local facilitators in the 5

viallages. From this information, it is painfully obviushow little rain there has been for this growing

season.

Table 10: Rainfall data recorded from rain gauges across five villages in Bergville 2018-2019

Stulwane

Ndunwana

Ezibomvini

Eqeleni

Thamela

Month

Rainfall (mm)

May-18

Jun-18

Jul-18

Aug-18

8,4

9,2

Sep-18

1,3

5,9

5,0

Oct-18

3,3

2,6

6,0

Nov-18

10,6

11,0

6,0

3,7

Dec-18

4,6

3,6

13,0

5,8

4,3

Jan-19

5,7

20,5

5,5

19,9

4,2

Feb-19

7,8

12,8

17,2

20,0

16,6

Total Nov-Feb

28,6

47,4

46,7

51,7

28,8

Plot 1

M+CP

Plot 2

M+B

Plot 3

MAIZE

Plot 4

BEANS

Plot 5

MAIZE

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Total May-Feb

47,5

70,1

Run-off data was also collected and these are summarised below.

Table 11: Run-off data collected for CA trial and control plots across five villages in Bergville; 2018-2019

Stulwane

Ndunwana

Ezibomvini

Eqeleni

Runoff

Trial(ml)

Runoff

Contol (ml)

Runoff

Trial(ml)

Runoff

Contol (ml)

Runoff

Trial(ml)

Runoff

Contol (ml)

Runoff

Trial(ml)

Runoff

Contol (ml)

Nov-18

566

413

Dec-18

663

379

593

710

Jan-19

2567

750

971

214

1000

1275

Feb-19

944

588

4190

6905

929

821

Total Nov-Feb

4173

1716

5174

7129

2521

2806

In general, the run-off from both the CA trial and the conventional control plots was extremely high

for the amount of rainfall, although somewhat less for the CA trial plots in 3 of the 4 villages. This is

quite different from the results obtained in previous years and points towards surface soil compaction

or sealing, as a result of continued hot and dry conditions in the area.

(iv)Cover crops

Cover crops play an important role in the providing soil cover limiting the exposure of soils to weather

extremes. They also contribute toimproved soil health conditions in the soils. In the current

2018/2019 growing season a total of 61 participants in the programme are experimenting with

summer cover crops across 9 of the villages in Bergville. Participants received a 5 mix of summer cover

crops; sunflower, sunhemp, babala (millet), vetch and turnips while some received a 3 mix of

sunflower, sunhemp and millet- all these at 250g per variety.

Table 12: Showing cover crop experimentation across Bergville villages

Village

Number of participants

Ezibomvini

Eqeleni

Stulwane

Vimbukhalo

Emazimbeni

Ndunwana

Thamela

Emabunzini

Ngoba

Total

(v)Crop growth monitoring

Fieldworkers and interns used the new e-survey format (in Pendragon) to do the crop growth

monitoring and provided hard copies of the forms to the 3 local facilitators who are assisting in the

monitoring this season.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Thus far 61 crop growth monitoring forms have been completed across 13 villages. A sample of

participants in each village was used (between 3-7 per village.

(vi)CA trial information

➢Average residue coveris around 9,5% for participants from 1st-6th year of implementation.

This is quite low, given the ubiquitous practice of livestock grazing stover in the winter

months. The percentage residue cover ranges from 0%-30% and depends more on the

dedication and attention given by the individual farmer than on the years of implementation.

Right: Nombono

Dladla from

Ezibomvini(3rd yr)

with around 30%

residue cover.

Nombono is trying

out the Haraka

planter

and

Far Right: Dudu

Ndlovu from

Emafefeteni (1st yr)

with 55 residue

cover. The heat

stress in her maize is

visible here

➢Average germination of cropsthis season was only around 66% and canopy cover at about

2,5 months after planting only around 20% on average. This attests to the extreme conditions

in this cropping season;

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Above Left: Phumelele Hlongwane’s crop growth in mid-January 2017 compared to Right: Phumelele

Hlongwane’s trial growth in mid- January 2019. She is one of the most dedicated farmers. The extreme

heat and drought at the beginning of the season has reduced her crop growth considerably.

Right and far

Right: crops

for Bangeni

and Zweni

Ndaba

respectively

from

Emazimbeni

(Loskop area),

also showing

signs of heat

and drought

stress.

Right and far right;

Maize growth for

Khishiwe Cebekhulu and

Nomavila Ndaba in

Eqeleni recovered

somewhat in January,

although the patchy

germination is evident

from earlier drought

stress. This kind of

recovery appears to be

localised as rainfall

differs somewhat across

villages.

Fodder production experimentation process in Stulwane, Eqeleni and Ezimbovini

This season a number of participants decided to plant small plots of different kinds of livestock fodder;

including Teff, turnips, lab-lab beans (Dolichos) white and red clover and Lucerne.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Replanting of plots was done in January 2019, after

complete crop failurefrom theNovember planting due

to drought and heat. Some success with growing of Teff

was reported- the other crops again failed to germinate.

Right: A few white clover

plants germinated and Far

Right; a respectable

looking patch of Teff grass

growingin Mtholeni

Dlamini’s fodder trial plots

Fodder and supplementation learning workshop

A learning workshop on fodder, supplementation and hay making was held onthe 10th of April for the

livestock interest group from these three villages (26 participants).

Topics covered:

-Why arelivestock thinin winter and

why does it matter

-What to feed and how much

- Supplementation

-How can wetell if it’s making a

difference (rating sheet)

-Making hay

- Experimentation

Why is extra fodder and supplementation important

Loss of weight in livestock caused by lack of grazing, but also presence of parasitesand diseases. In

winter the sour veld areas(high elevation, high rainfall, cold winters) the grass is not nutritious in

winter as the grasses draw the nutrients into their roots for the winter period –there is no protein in

the grass. Also, milk cows such as Jerseys are not well adapted to grazing on veld and will not do well.

Bulls and oxen are generally fatter then the cows.

Thin cows can’t be sold, have difficulty getting pregnant and lose their calves. They are more prone to

diseases and die easily.

Nutrition for livestock

-Feed a protein supplement

-Make sure there is grass/ hay

-Deworm before winter

-Wean the big calves

-Plant fodder

-Target the animals that need food

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

The major issue in winter, or more generally is protein. Carbohydrates can be found in grass and maize.

The type of grass makes a difference; Themida (Rooigrass) is good, other grasses such as Ngongoni

(Aristida), Mtshiki and Uqunga are not very palatable.

Urea supplementation; Premix 450, Voermol LS33and protein licks.One is a powder supplementing

the fodder livestock re given, the other is a liquid that is mixed with feed.

When using these supplements it is important that theydo not get wet- as the urea will dissolve in the

water and if cattle drink this they can die from it.

Supplements

Supplement type

Quantity

Cost

Premix 450 (powder)

1-2 cups/day mixed with the fodder

R230/50kg

Voermol LS 33 (liquid)

2 cups with 2 cups water mixed with 20kg of hay will feed 4

animals for one day. This needs tobe repeated every day –

as the urea evaporates

R160/20l

Protein block

1 block/ cow (for 3 months). Or 1 block/week for 20 cattle.

Generally they are put in the kraal, but it is difficult to ensure

younger animals also get access

R150/25kg

(Molasses meal –just sugar, no protein)

Fodder crops and Making hay

Grass needs to be cut while it is green (and high in nutrients) and dried quickly, so that it doesn’t get

mouldy. For the fodder high in nitrogen such as Lucerne –it needs a long time to dry as the stalks are

quite tough. When grazing Lucerne, it can only be done for an hour or so in a day. If they get toomuch

the livestock will bloat.

Participants were adamant that they could v=cut the grass using sickles and did not feel the need to

have brush cutters for this purpose.

With all the fodder crops, it is better to grow these in summer and keep for winter. One needs to cut

them before they seed to ensure the highest level of nutrients in the fodder.

Teff; grows fast and is better for baling than grazing, as it is quite soft and gest easily trampled by the

livestock. Teff can regrow in the same place if left to seed. If it is cut at the right time, it is good quality

fodder and doesn’t need the LS33.

Ryegrass; this is what dairy farmers grow in winter –but it would need irrigation. There are annual

and perennial ryegrass species

Oats; this is much easier to grow than ryegrass and is a better fodder

Clover, vetch;Normally these are mixed with grass species –sothat it can be grazed safely. Vetch

comes back year after year and stays green in winter. It can be a bit difficult to establish and also is

difficult to plough into

Crop residues; such as maize and bean stover. These are improved by addition of LS33

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Japanese radish/ fodder radish/ turnips; Good fodder

The small table below outlines the nutritional value of common fodder

Fodder type

% protein

% Fibre

Maize grain

1-10

Mazie stover

Kikuyu

10-17

Eragrostis hay

6-18

Oats (pasture)

Fodder turnip leaves

Roots

15-25

9-16

Vetch

Fibre intake should be as low as possible

Adult cattle need > 8% protein in their feed If it is < 8%, then add the LS 33.

Maize grain is high in energy –so it is good for young and growing animals. The grain should be fed

with Premix450 or LS 33.

How much feed isrequired

This is worked out as 2% of body weight

of the animal, for dry feed. Wet feed is

x5 more

Condition scoring

Body weight

(Kg)

Dry feed

(kg)

200

300

350

400

650

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

This is an easy way to check how well the supplementation

and feeding is working. The score sheet provides an

indication and is used to compare cows that are being feed

and given supplements, with those that are not.

Baling of hay

Brigid Letty from the INR, assisted by providing a home-

made manual baler to the learning group for

experimentation purposes. A second one is available. They

are easy to construct and can be made locally. The men in

Stulwane have undertaken tomake their own balers;

materials and tools can be provided for this.

Experimentation

MAKING BALES: 2 bales/week/ cow; thus around 20-30

bales for each cow (June, July, August). 3x50kg bags of

grass makes one bale.

Right and Far right –

making a bale of hay –the

baler basically compresses

the grass into a block with

the tying twine in place.

Once compressed,there is

a ‘door’ at the front and the

bale is removed through

the door.

Experiment

Names

Comments

Bales with LS33

Mtholeni Dlamini

Delzakhe Hlongwane

Simon Dlamini

Khulekani Dladla

Phumelele Hlongwane

Ntombakhe Zikode

June; Buy premix, LS 33 and blocks and

supplement with veld. Start feeding bales in

July

July- August –bales +LS 33.

Bales with Premix 450

Mtholeni Dlamini

Delzakhe Hlongwane

Simon (Thulani) Dlamini

Khulekani Dladla

Phumelele Hlongwane

Ntombakhe Zikode

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Teff Bales

Ntombakhe Zikode

Mtholeni Dlamini

Baling of the Teff they have grown

Residue with LS33

Thulani Dlamini

Khulekani Dladla

Phumelele Hlongwane(maize

and bean stover mixed)

Maize stover

Veld with protein blocks

Lungile Dladla

Matholozane Gumbi

Zodwa Zikode

Phasazile Sithebe

Veld with Premix 450

Ntobmi Dlamini

Fikile Hltashwayo

Hlupizile Zondi

Thulile Zikode

Hlanganise Hlongwane

Phumelele Hlongwane

Participants undertook to do the following:

-Collect monies for the supplements

-And havethesesupplements, as wellas rolls of twine for the bales available through the

farmer centres

-Set up and participate in condition scoring days for the livestock; the first one in mid-End June

-Ensure that they have a viable experiment; cattle in the experiment and cattle not in the

experiment.

Sedawa, Turkey, Mametja - Limpopo

Written by Erna Kruger and Betty Maimela

Most of the fieldworkand monitoring are conducted under the AWARD AgriSi programme. Below a

snapshot is provided of some of the CCA related aspects pertinent to this process.

Learning processes conducted are summarised in the table below.

Table 13: Summary of learning sessions conducted: January-April 2019

Turkey 1 and 2,

Sedawa,

Mametja,

Botshabelo,

2019/01/24,25

2019/02/10

CA demonstrations;

legumes, cover

crops, and fodder

production

28,11

-All participants provided with seed

samples for individual experiments

on CA

Sedawa, Turkey,

Willows (x2)

2019/01/31

2019/02/21

2019/02/26;

2019/03/05

Planning and review

sessions

28,16

,23,1

Sedawa, Turkey

2019/03/08

Natural pest

management

workshop (HH)

LF’s and 2 lead farmers attended

Turkey

2019/03/06

Installation of small

layers unit in Turkey

The Phedisang Turkey DIC group and

a few members of learning group,

Mazwi Dlamini

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Turkey, Sedawa,

Mametja,

Botshabelo

2019/03/12

Agroecology

network-farmers

learning event

Participants prepared posters for the

vent on the 11th of March

Turkey, Willows

2019/03/19,21

Gardening practices

revision workshops

and P&D control -

new ideas,Five

fingers review

19, 8

Review of liquidmanure, shallow

trenches, new ideas for P&D control,

plus revision

Five fingers principles in Willows

Sedawa, Turkey

2019/04/03

Post production

workshop at

Hlokomela

Workshop for participants involved

in the organic marketing process

Sedawa, Turkey

2019/04/15

Procurement

workshop at

Hoedspruit Hub

Workshop for participants involved

in the organic marketing process

Planning and review sessions

Two of the learning groups, Sedawa and Turkey have asked for regular (monthly) planning and review

sessions toensure better communication and implementation coherence. The first of such sessions

has now been conducted for both groups.Below, the session for the turkey group is summarised.The

meeting was suggested in order to revise activities, assess progress and plan future activities for the

group to really build resilience and ensure food security for our households and make an income from

farming.

Garden practices

The five fingers thematic principles for implementation of practices were reviewed. And farmers

implementationof practices was linked to this and assessed. Quite a few of the farmers have not

implemented much and have forgotten the bulk of learning workshops. This revision process was thus

an important reminder.

3. GO KAONAFATṦA HLOKOMELO

YA DIBJALWA

CROP MANAGEMENT

Mixed cropping- incl intercropping

Pest control brews -Planting of

herbs –Mixing herbs and veg

Seed successions- Seed saving

Conservation Agriculture; minimal

soil disturbance, soil cover, crop

diversity

Planting tomaximise shade –in

afternoons

4. GO NONTṦA MOBU

KEEP THE SOIL

FERTILTY/HEALTHY

Dedicated paths and beds

Soil fertility management-

manure

(incl improved manure),

compost, green manures,

legumes, liquid manure

Bed design -trench beds,

shallow trenches, eco-circles,

banana circles/basins

5. HLOKOMELO YA DIMELA TṦA

TLHAGO

TAKE CARE OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS

Small nurseries-propagation of fruit

and indigenous crops and trees

Planting-windbreaks, hedges, multi-

functional plants, inter cropping

1. GO KAONAFATṦA TAOLO YA

MEETSE

GOOD WATER MANAGEMENT

Diversion ditches-to carry

water to beds

Mulching -

Improved furrows and ridges

Greywater management and

use;

Drip kit

Tunnels

RWH storage tanks

Small dams

2.GO FOKOTṦAKGOGOLEGO

YA MOBU

CONTROLLING

SOIL MOVEMENT

Cut off drains–ditches across

a contour at top of

garden/slop

Contours- measured with line

level

Stone lines/bunds-made on

contour

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

The learning group decided not to implement some practices because they didn’t have water and

subsequently forgot about them.

Below are summaries of the discussions for each theme

(i) Good water management

➢Participants could not listone practice that they could implement in order to manage water use.

Mr Rackson Magobatlou said for water management he mulches using dry leaves and he has

witnessed that the practice helps in slowing down evaporation. He implemented mulching because

he doesn’t have water, he fetches water from his brother using a wheelbarrow, and he thought if

he started mulching, he wouldn’t have to fetch water every day, which really worked.

➢Mr Malatjie added that mulching also adds to soil fertility.

➢Sarah Madire has implemented mulching in her garden and she experienced pest problems (ants

were in her garden feeding from mulching material and damaging her crops). She then decided not

to mulch anymore.

➢Participants with tunnels received three bucket dripkits to use insidethe tunnel, yet none of the

participants who were attending the meeting are using them (Sarah Madire and Lydia Shai) and

they don’t have the reason why they are not using them.

(ii) Controlling soilmovement

➢Participants have forgotten a lot about practices that they can implement to prevent soil erosion.

The only thing they could remember was that planting sweet-potatoes in raised beds and furrows

helps with movement of water in the garden and that it prevents soil erosion.

➢

(iii) Crop management

➢Participants implemented mixed cropping in their gardens. Portia Shai has been planting spinach

and garlic on the same eco-circle; she plants spinach in the middle and on the outside, she plants

garlic to help with pest control.

➢Lydia Shai has been plantingherbs (coriander and parsley) together with vegetables; the smell of

the herbs helps control pests and diseases.

➢In terms of pest and diseases control they use ash and a brew made from chilli and soap.

➢Other participants saidnothing, they normally don’t use any practice for pest control even when

they have pests’ problems in their garden, and they understand that materials used to make brews

for pests’ control are easily accessible, some they can find in their garden but theydon’t have time

to make the brew.

➢In terms of crop diversity, they have been practicing without understanding that it is part of crop

management and also helps in pest control.

(iv) Improving soil fertility/soil health

➢They have done and they are still doing trench beds to fertilise the soil. These beds provide good

harvests, and fresh quality vegetables and work a lot better than the traditional way of planting.

➢Mr Rackson Magobatlou also pointed that he harvested big quantities of spinach that he managed

to sell in the community out of his three trench beds.

➢Angelina Malatji uses dry leaves mixed together with cow-chicken-and goat manure when

planting.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

➢Portia Shai implemented the eco-circles in her garden and found that they improved crop growth

and yields substantially, as long as one has water for irrigation. Magdalena and Lydia Shaai also

added to Portia they have planted spinach, green beans and herbs on the eco-circles and they are

very happy with the results.

➢Sarah Madire and Samuel Mogale have been making compost that they use in their garden to

fertilise the soil. Their compost materials are dry leaves, wet leaves, ashes, manure (they all used

goat and cow manure) and water, but when they started having water issues, they started

fertilising their soil using dry leaves mixed with manure (cow and goat manure) then add to their

soil and they have harvested good quality vegetables from their garden.

(v) Looking after indigenous trees

➢Most participants don’t understand the importance of continuation of planting indigenous plants

One person only, Angelina Malatji has a nursery for indigenous trees, fruit trees and flowers. She

sells mangoes and Ogogoro at R35.00/tree.

The table below indicates the ranking of practices int terms of implementation by the group.

Table 14: Traffic light assessment for implementation of practices in Turkey: Feb 2019

List of practices

Traffic lights:

red/yellow/green

Water

management

Cut off drains and swales

Diversion ditches

Greywater

Water harvesting and storage (check dams, gabions, drums,

basins, small dams and jo-jo tanks)

Drip irrigation

Mulching

Control soil

movement

Contours, diversion ditches, swales, bunds

Stone lines

Furrows

Soil Health

Bed design (trenchbeds, ridges, dedicated beds and paths,

terraces and raised beds

Compost, improved manure, green manure and legumes

Improved crop

management

Mixed cropping

Crop rotation

Seed saving

Nursery/propagation

Continuity- seeding production

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Natural pests and disease control practices

Looking after

indigenous plants

Indigenous or medicinal plants

Indigenous fruit

Other indigenous plants; including windbreakers, hedges

Bee fodder, pest and disease control practices

CA review principles implemented

How many have tried using CA principle when planting maize and cover crops after the CA

demonstration?

➢Participants clearly stated that by the time they attended CA workshop, they had already planted

their maize and field crops and had no space to try planting using CA principles.

➢Sarah Madire stated that she also had already planted maize but what she did was to open lines

in between her maize and planted beans to cover the soil.

Traditional poultrytraining

From the training received what have you done?

➢We loved the training because we have indigenous chickens but the cost that goes with having

chickens where you have to buy chicken feed and buy water without having a market to sell is too

risky. Mr Michael Magobatlou evenadded that if they have to do a survey to see how many people

are willing to buy indigenous chicken, he will find no one in the community who wants to buy

indigenous chickens.

Do any of the participants have poultry? When did it start and how is it going?

➢No one in the learning group has poultry.

Organic Mango production training

➢Those who attended the training have not done anything that they were taught from the training.

They said it was late to implement some of the practices, but they didn’t try to use ways to control

diseases and pests in their orchards, which was the practice they could have tried, or composting.

After harvesting recently, theyalso didn’t prune their trees they said they will do that after

harvesting from all the trees.

Market progress and how it will work this year

The market is starting month end of February beginning of March. We will be doingthe Box Scheme

with Hoedspruit Hublike we were doing last year, but with farmers upfront more than Betty and

Andries. There will be a workshop on the first week of April for the farmers participating in the market,

which will be held at Hlokomela garden.

Water issues

Last year October Turkey learning group took the initiative to start looking at options for getting water

for irrigation. They started having meetings where they discussed how they will go about raising cash

to have boreholes for the group. They agreed on contributing R500.00 per household for the borehole,

starting from the 23rd of October to the 31st of January 2019. To this date no one has contributed. They

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

are dragging their feeton this matter. On the 21st of February 2019 they all agreed to extend with

another three months and take it from there, the new closing date is the 21st of May 2019.

Water issues follow-up (Sedawa)

Rain gauge information

Rain gauges have been installedat three participants’ homesteads –Sedawa, Mametja and

Botshabelo. These initiallywere linked to run-off plots, but the latter have subsequently been

removed due to two seasons of lack of rain. The rain gauges are monitored so that participants can

have a good indication of the amount of rain for a given month and period and the results are reviewed

during planning and review sessions.

The results are shown in the table below. Results for Miriam Malepe formBotshabelo, are again

slightly unreliable, and those for Christina and Koko correlate well.

Table 15: Rainfall data from 3 community- based rain gauges: Oct 2018-Feb 2019

Village,

name

Date

Rain

Total

Village,

name

Date

Rain

Total

Village,

name

Date

Rain

Total

Botshab

elo

17/10/2018

5,6

Sedawa

17/10/2018

9,9

Sedawa

17/10/2018

Miriam

Malepe

01/11/2018

7,3

Christin

Thobeja

01/11/2018

Koko

Maphori

01/11/2018

3,9

10/01/2019

37, 4

21/11/2018

4,9

21/11/2018

8,1

13/01/2019

27, 0

05/12/2018

4,9

05/12/2018

8,7

15/01/2019

17,3

11/12/2018

30,2

11/12/2018

32,2

25/01/2019

34,9

28/12/2018

28/12/2019

27/01/2019

10/01/2019

30/01/2019

05/02/2019

13/01/2019

5,1

10/01/2019

10,2

13/02/2019

147,1

15/01/2019

10,1

13/01/2019

25/01/2019

15/01/2019

28/01/2019

25/01/2019

52,6

30/01/2019

28/01/2019

1,5

05/02/2019

13/02/2019

31,3

262,4

13/02/2019

27,6

270,8

When comparing this rainfall data kept locally with a weather station in the locality the following small

summary table indicates the similarities between the data sets.

Month

Weather station (mm)

Rain gauges (average)

October 2018

5,5

7,8

November 2018

18,9

9,7

December 2018

43,8

January 2019

64,5 (until 15th)

100

February 2019

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Continuation of water issues in Sedawa

During the monthly planning and review session held in February 2019, it was decided that the group

would go ahead with the option of installing boreholes (1-3) for agricultural water provision for their

group members. The water committee needed to meet and work through a number of points

including:

➢Deciding which borehole to start on

➢Working out which members paid from each of the three sub areas, and whostill needs to

contribute

➢Assessing whether the contribution made thus far in tandem withthe matching grant to be

provided by MDF is enough for drilling the borehole, setting up a collection tank and or setting

up feeder pipes to the participants’ homesteads.

To enable the water committee to work through these issues a summary document was put together

to help them make their decisions.

3RESILIENCE SNAPSHOTS

Individual impact assessment questionnaires have been designed and linked to a resilience snapshot

questionnaire. These have been tested for6 participants per province. As a result, the impact

assessment questionnaire has been streamlined and can now be more widely use. The questionnaire

is presented in Attachment 4 to this report.

Below a case study for the 6 KZN participants is presented.

Resilience snapshot case study for KZN

Summaries of the responses to specific questions are summarised in bullet point and tables.

Learning and change

What have you learnt about dealing with CC and climatic extremes?

➢I have learnt that practices such as trench beds and CA provide good growth and yields,

despite difficult weather conditions. Also, these practices are cheap. We get more food than

we did before and will now be able to continue farming

➢Adaptive practices like mulching help to deal with increased heat and water stress

➢Practices such as trench beds, eco-circles, mulching and mixed cropping enables the soil to

hold moisture for longer and withstand the heat and dry spells.

What is your experience regarding the impact of CC on yourlife?

➢This season we had drought; the beans did not grow and maize is stunted. I fear will not have

enough food

➢Cattle have been negatively impacted- more disease and deaths as grazing diminishes

➢The climate is changing; low rainfall during the planting season and high temperatures are

affecting farming activities

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

➢I have not experienced climate change –I do not have water issues(participant in Midlands

of KZN)

➢Climate change has destabilised our planting patterns and has created a lot of uncertainty

about planting dates for both summer and winter crops

Do you share your knowledge and experiences with the learning group or community

members?

➢Yes, I talk to my neighbours about the gardening practices, so that they can also try and

revive their gardens

➢Yes, I have talked to neighbours, some come and visit to see the garden and experiments

and some have even taken pictures.

➢Yes, I talk to my neighbours and friends and invite them to the learninggroup sessions if

they are not members yet.

How do you sharethe knowledge gained with other members of your community?

➢Discussions at savings meetings, at the springs when we collect water

➢When people visit, I show them my garden

What helps you to learn more about new innovations and information?

(N=6)

Comments

Listening to other farmers

experiences and experiments

I get motivated by other farmers’ work, get new ideas such as

planting potatoes in bags

By doing and experimenting in own

garden

This helps me to know how good the practices area, have tried

a no of experiments and included my own ideas

Motivated by other farmers work

and experiences

Learnt about raised beds in Msinga

Learning workshops

I find them useful because I always hear new information and

experiences form the facilitator and farmers

What new things have you added into your practices? Howhas it worked?

➢I have not tried anything else new, outside of the practices we were taught; CA, trench beds,

mulching, mixed cropping, RWH, greywater management, seedling production

➢I have tried a u-shaped garden which helps to collect water, helping plants to grow better.

➢I have used some of the maize and sunflower seed I grew in the CA trials to feed my indigenous

chickens; this has helped for a better survival rate and even the ability to sell a few.

Climate smart practices

Impacts and lessons learnt

Past issues

Past Practice

Present Practice

Impact and lessons

Livestock

Low

production

Bartered

indigenous

chickens

Selling indigenous

chickens locally

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Feed too

expensive

to buy

Fed chickens’

scraps

Feed of sunflower

and crushed maize

seed from own

production

More chickenssurvive and grow

well making sales possible

Gardening

Low yield

and dry

beds

Raised beds

Trench bedsand

raised beds

Better growth and yield,

increased water holding, beds

remain moist during hot periods,

beds hold water for a long time

fewer pests and diseases,

Fetched water from

communal taps and

springs

Also RWH and grey

water use (unfiltered)

Saves water and timein fetching

water to irrigate

Mulch (dry grass)

Mulch retains moisture, but can

encourage termites

Buy seedlings

Seedling production

Increased number and types of

crops;

Standard veggies

New veggies and

herbs

There is demand in the village for

the new crops; kale, Chinese

cabbage, carrots, More and

different food for longer periods

in the year

Short season for

planting, or no

planting due to lack

of water

Winter planting

Grow crops in garden and in the

fields (sweet potatoes, potatoes)

Field

cropping

Increased water holding and less

run-off, increased ability to

withstand drought

Intercropping

Increased availability of more

types of food,

Legumes

Increased yields

Cover crops

Increased soil health, Feed

availability for livestock

Assessment of impact for CSA practices triedout using local indicators

-1 = worse than normal practice

0=no change

1=some positive change

2=medium positive change

3= high positive change

Name of practice

Soil

Water

Productivity

Labour

Pest and

disease control

Cost and

maintenance

Livelihoods

Adaptation

Trench beds

-1

RWH

-1

Mulching

Tower garden

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Planting basins

Raised beds, with mulch

eco-circle

-1

CA; w intercropping, legumes,

cover crops

Using goat manure

(composted in a kraal)

Resilience snapshot

A summary table of the results for all 6 participants is presented below, followed by the more in-depth

Resilience indicators

Rating for increase

Comment

Increase in size of farming

activities

Gardening –18%

Field cropping –63%

Livestock –31%

Cropping areas measured, no of livestock

assessed

Increased farming activities

Most participantsinvolved in gardening, field

cropping and livestock management

Increased season

Yes

For field cropping and gardening- autumn and

winter options

Increased crop diversity

Crops: 12 new crops

Practices: 8 new practices

Management options include; drip irrigation,

tunnels, no-till planters, JoJo tanks, RWH

drums,

Increased productivity

Gardening –72%

Field cropping –79%

Livestock –25%

Based on increase in yields

Increased water use

efficiency

25%

Access, RWH, water holding capacity and

irrigation efficiency rated

Increased income

13%

Based on average monthly incomes

Increased household food

provisioning

Maize- 20kg/week

Vegetables –7kg/week

Food produced and consumed in the

household

Increased savings

R150/month

Average of savings now undertaken

Increased social agency

(collaborative actions)

Villages savings and loan associations and

learning groups

Increased informed decision

making

Own experience, local facilitators, other

farmers, facilitators, extension officers

Positive mindsets

2-3

More to much more positive about the future:

Much improved household food security and

food availability

RESILIENCE SNAPSHOT

(6 participants)

Date

Feb-19

Province

KZN

Bergville, Midlands

Village

Ezibomvini, Eqeleni and Gobizembe

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Increased in

farming (Size)

Before

(Size in

sqm)

Now (Size

in sqm)

Comment: Percentage increase

Gardening

18%

Field cropping

1400

3767

63%

Livestock

31%

Trees nat

resources

Increased

diversity in

farming

Y/N

before

Y/N now

Comment:

Gardening

Most participants undertake activities in all

four farming categories

Field cropping

Livestock

Trees, nat

resources

Increased

diversity (1)

Managem

ent and

practices

before

now

What has

changed;

new crops

What has

changed; new

practices

What has

changed; ,

new

manageme

Gardening

raised

beds; use

of ash and

kraal

manure

Kale, chinese

cabbage,

carrots,

mustard

spinach,

Coriander

mulching,

trenches,

seedling

production,

more crops,

towergardens,

eco circles,

raised beds,

planting basins,

RWH (Jojo

tanks and

drums),

greywater

and organic

gardening,

tunnel, drip

irrigation,

Field cropping

traditional

planting

of maize

Maize,

beans,

cowpeas,

Lab-Lab,

sunflower,

sunnhemp,

millet,

potatoes,

sweet

potatoes

CA,

intercropping

,legumes,

cover crops,

rotation

Livestock

extensive

foraging

sunflower,

maize

Feeding of

poultry -

crushed maize

and sunflower

Trees nat

resources

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Types

BEFORE:

Quantity

(KG, No)

NOW:

Quantity

(KG,No)

Percent

age

increas

Increased

productivity

Gardening

Spinach

7,8

15,3

49%

(Amount in

kgs/tonnes,

10,20,50kg

bags/containers,

no of meals (for a

family)

Cabbage

38%

Potatoes

50%

Carrots

100%

Green

pepper

100%

Chinese

cabbage

8,5

100%

Chilli

29%

Onions

38%

Beetroot

4,3

11,3

62%

Kale

100%

Mustard

spinach

100%

Coriander

100%

72%

Field cropping

Maize

99,3

257,8

61%

Beans

16,8

76%

Cowpea

100%

79%

Livestock

Chickens

25%

Trees nat

resources

Increase

Access

Inc

RWH

Inc water

holding

incr water

productivity

(irrigation)

SCALE

Increased water use

efficiency (inclRWH,

water holding, water

access, water

productivity)

0= same or worse than

before; 1= somewhat better

than before, 2= much better

than before

Increased

livelihood security

(income)

Income before

(ave monthly in

Rands)

Income now(Ave

monthly in Rands)

Comments

1433

1650

Increased

livelihood security

(Household

provisioning and

food security)

Food types (staples, veg,

livestock, fruit)

Quantity/

week (kg)

No of times/

week (1-7)

Sales/week

(in Rands)

Comments

maize

6 of 6

Veg (Spinach, chillies,

green pepper)

225

2 of 6

Veg(spinach, chinese

cabbage, tomato

6 of 6

Veg (beetroot, chilli)

6 of 6

Chicken

1 of 6

Pigs (kg of meat)

2500

1 of 6

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Cattle (no sold/yr)

10000

1 of 6

Fruit

1 of 6

Increased

livelihood

diversity/opti

ons

Income

options

Before

Income

options

Now

Comment; name new

options e.g. which

crops, etc

Scale

1,4

1,3,4

Small incomes form

farming now possible

1=social grants; 2= remittances;

3=farming income;4= small

business

Amount per

month Before

Amount per

month Now

Use of savings

Scale

Savings (safety,

security,

achievement)

R150

2,3,4

1=food; 2=household use;

3=education; 4= production;

5=other

Increased

growing season

Yes/no

Before

Yes/no Now

Comment

Gardening

Now grows crops in winter in garden

and fields

Field cropping

Livestock

Trees nat

resources

Collaborative

actions/social

agency

Activities in groups Before-

name

Activities in

groups Now

E.g. savings, church, learning groups,

coops, farmers associations, work

teams, selling, inputs, farmers

centres water committees …

Stokvel

VSLA

Learning group

Informed

decision

making

Information used to

choose activities Before

Information used to choose

activities Now

E.g. Other community

members, learning in

groups, written info, radio,

facilitators, extension

officers, etc

Own experience

Extension officer

Learning group members

Local facilitator

Facilitator

Positive

mindsets

Rate your

mindset

Before

Rate your

mindset

now

SCALE:0=less positive about the future; 1=the same;

2=more positive about the future; 3=much more positive

2-3

Much improved household foodsecurityand food

availability.

4PARTICIPATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (PIA)

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Background

A specific framework for monitoring of impact of the CSA practices on livelihoods and vulnerability is

required to be able to assess increased resilience.This framework works alongside the more

conventional process, output and outcome indicators. ‘

For this process the PIA framework has been used to outline the indicators used at communitylevel

and provide for a qualitative assessment of increased resilience by community members. A group

process has been designed and tested, as has an individual survey instrument. Both will be reported

on here.

In PIAs there are three basic questions:

1. What changes have there been in the community since the start of the project/process

2. Which of these changes are attributable to the projects

3. What differences have these changes made to people’s lives

Impact indicators measure changes that occur in people’s lives and can be qualitative or quantitative

Impact indicators look at the end result of project activities on people’s lives. Ideally, they measure

the fundamental assets, resources and feelings of people affected by the project. Therefore, impact

indicators can include household measures of income and expenditure, food consumption, health,

security, confidence and hope.

Community impact indicators may be quantitative, such as income earned from crop sales, or

qualitative, such as improved skills, knowledge or social status.

Therefore, tracking changes in food, income and expenditure can often be a useful way of measuring

impact against community indicators of impact and against coping strategies.

PIA workshop outline

1. Recap climatechange impacts

➢Explore what people have noticed about impacts and make lists under headings: natural,

physical, economic, human and social

Group level brainstorming of ideas; written on cards under the headings given, with arrows for increase

or decrease

2. Recap adaptive strategies/ practices

➢What have people been doing to adapt to this, fix the problems, make things better?

➢What can be done? (first look at hat has been done and then any further ideas of what can

be done)

Catley A, Burns J, Adebe D and Suji O. 2014. Participatory Impact Assessment: A Design

Guide. Feinstein International Centre. Tufts University, Somerville, USA.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

➢Elucidate adaptations for each category: natural, physical, economic human, social

Group level brainstorming; write on different cards (those done and those thought of) and place next

to theimpact, indicate with a * which of these havebeen facilitated or introduced (and by whom) –

this can be other farmers, projects, extension officers….

3. Practices: Recap 5 fingers and list all practices under each category

➢Re-introduce the 5 fingers concept –and include a further category of the whole hand –

which is the social and personal

➢Which practices have been implemented (introduced and other)?

Go around in the circle and each person mentions what s/he has done (productive, economic, social,

personal actions) and what she would still like to try

➢Add these practices to the five fingers diagram

Make an A1 diagram of the five finger and then add practices on cards

➢Go through practices recommended through the DSS

Use cards with ranked practices from the DSS-describe and show the ones that people are not familiar

with.

➢Rank practices for next round of implementation

Rank the list of practices by a show of hands.

4. What have been the changes or benefits from each practice

➢What changes have there been?

Brainstorming changes –an interrogate to get to the more

➢How important are these changes to your lives? How do you decide? Which criteria would

you use to decide?

Do a matrix ranking: changes (in columns), criteria (in rows) –Use proportional piling, working down

each column by asking “how importantis this practice for the criteria”and comparing the practices

with each other (to an extent) as you go down the list…. Exercise is done in small groups of 5-8

participants

Below is an example of how this could look

food

income

Soil, water

Access, ease,

knowledge

Trench beds

Tunnels

Cover crops

Legumes

Other crops;

potatoes,

sweet potatoes

Savings

Subsidised

inputs

Saving for

inputs

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Farmer centre

Small

businesses

Learning group

Water

committee

6. Expanding on practices

➢Introduce new practices for each of five fingers

➢Participants assess each practice (after deciding on criteria for how you decide this practice

is useful?)

Eventually the whole exercise can be summarised in the table below

Natural

Physical

Economic

Human

Social

CC impacts

Adaptive

strategies

Actions/

practices

Changes due

to practices

Importance of

these changes

to your

livelihood

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 4: Report CoPs and Demonstration Sites established-may 2018

Crops Livestock

Soil health and

fertility

Water

Natural

resources/

landscape

SYNERGIES

Soil

and water

conservation

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

PIA workshop Bergville 2019/04/11

Attendance

30 participants were invited; A selection of participants from

learning groups in 8 villages: Stulwane (8 participants), Thamela

(1 participant), Nthabamhlophe -Estcourt (2 participants),

Eqeleni (4 participants), Ezibomvini (10 participants),

Emazimbeni (3 participants) and Emabunzini (2 participants).

These participants represent those in the villages actively

pursuing and experimenting with some of the CSA practices

introduced and those most engaged in the mixed farming

systems typical in the area.

Right Above and Below: Bergville and Ntabamhlophe

participants in the PIA workshop

Facilitators; Lindelwa Ndaba (from Lima-RDF) joined the MDF

team with one of her local facilitators from Ntabamhlophe, to

learn about this process, for incorporation into her work in Food

Security in her organisation.

Climate change

Here participants summarised their observations as an

introduction into the process of assessingthe impact of CSA

practices:

➢Less rainfall

➢Late rains

➢Greater intensity of storms and strong winds

➢Increased heat in spring, summer and autumn

Climate change impacts on farming and livelihoods

This exercise was repeated, partly to assess whether people’s perception of changes and impacts have

shifted, now that they are moreaware tothe issues at hand. It also provided anopportunity for

participants across villages and from different areas to engage with each other around their

understanding and perceptions. This exercise was conducted at the beginning of the process as well.

For this exercise the impacts were divided into the 5 livelihoodcategories and is summarised inthe

table below.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

Natural

(environment and

farming

Physical

(infrastructure,

environment)

Economic

Human (Skills,

knowledge,

agency)

Social

(organisation,

cohesion)

Earthworms

disappear

Water shortages;

reduced flow in

streams and springs,

boreholes dry up

Food shortages

Increase in

diseases in

humans

No progress here

Degradation of veld

and reduced grazing

Severe erosion of

roads and damage to

houses byheavy

rainfall

Water shortages

at household level

Farming is done

by older people;

the younger

people are lazy

People don’t

work together

Livestock break into

fields and eat crops

Dongas are increasing

in number and size

Farming inputs

and services are

very expensive

Water borne

diseases from

drinking dirty

water

Traditional

leadership is no

longer respected

More diseases in

cattle, requiring

purchase of

medication and

vaccines and more

deaths

Damage to wetlands

from people building

there, overgrazing

and other uses.

Other community

members steal

farmers’ produce

Contours in the fields,

that were made many

years agohave not

been maintained and

now there is erosion

in the fields

Severe erosion due to

denuding of land,

followed by heavy

rainfall

Learning groups;

some conflict in

some of the

learning groups

has reduced

participation.

More crop damage

from birds than

before

SOME GENERAL ADAPTIVE MEASURES PROPOSED

- Savings

- Rotational group saving for buying and putting up fencing

- Small businesses

- Buying fencing

-Request support for fencing and ask Government support as well –although with

the latter participants are aware that Government support is unlikely.

COMMENTS ON PLANTING DATES

-People who planted in November- have struggled with lack of germination

- More germination for those who planted in December

-Spraying with Decis (pesticide against cutworms and stalk borer) helped with

germination and growth (more pests were present) and reduced eating of seed by

birds

- A few participants even planted in January–and this worked quite well in this last

season

- One participant in Thamela mulched her whole field and planted in November and

has had promising germination and growth from this

-Participants also noted that beans did notgrow at all, but the cowpeas have done

reasonably well, even under these difficult conditions.

It is difficult to make decisions about planting dates now thatthe climate is more

unpredictable.

The importance of crop residues to maintain soil moisture cannot be under-

estimated

Dry soil

Seeds don’t

germinate

Extreme windsthat

damage vegetation

and crops

More veld fires

More pests in crops

and new pests that

were not present in

the past

Fertilizer is

ineffective in hot, dry

conditions

Planting times for

crops are changing in

unpredictable ways

There are small water

sources in some

people’s

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

homesteads, which

they refuse to share

with others

General comments about this discussion:

1. The participants’’ understanding of the

contribution of CC to the erosion issues in their

villages shows a good grasp of the process.

They have commented on the process of

denuding of the environment due to heat,

drought and grazing pressure, followed by

heavy storms and the increased damage caused

to the environment due to this. They are also

aware of the reduction in water from

boreholes, wetlands and springs and how the

climate variability, along with bad management

practices have exacerbated this process.

Right: An outline of CC impacts puttogether by the

participants

2. Participants discussed the fact that there are

only about 30% of community members in each

of the villages who are farming. The rest of the

inhabitants do not respect people’s efforts and

do not cooperate in terms of managing their livestock. They have even been known to take

their cattle to the fields to graze and to steal some of the crops. The traditional authorities

and Local Municipality are not focused on peoples’ problems and do not seem to care. They

do not assist. This has now led to an increased feeling for the need to fence their fields.

Round 23% of participants present, have already fenced their fields.

3. Fencing is expensive and people suggested joint savings and implementation options to

spread this burden. They would also like to request assistance, but know that they are

unlikely to find support in the short term. They do however believe that they can ask for

assistance form the department of Agriculture. A further suggestion is that they club

together to fence one large piece of land and then work there together –as this should be

cheaper than fencing each person’s field separately.

4. There was a long discussion on the merits of soil cover from crop residues and how this can

assist with the problem of deciding on a planting date related to weather variability. One

person went a far as mulching her whole field- which has had very promising results for her-

given that her November planting of field crops was successful, whereas it was not for

others. This also links into the discussions held about production of fodder crops and fencing

of fields, as management of crop residues for soil cover will then become a possibility.

5. Participants do not believe that the lack of interest in farming is because of climate change,

but is a broader societal issue; where people and especially the youth have become lazy,

with high expectations of support and prefer not to be active at all, than to put in effort into

activities with low returns.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

CSA practices

Here participants describedpractices they are using under the five fingers (soil, water, cropping

(gardening and field cropping, livestock and natural resource management. We decided also to include

a further category - social agency, or what they described as people management

Soil

Water

Crop (garden and field)

Livestock

Natural

Resources

People

Making compost

Drip irrigation

Diversified crops in

gardens; beetroot,

Chinese cabbage, carrots,

parsley, thyme,

Vaccinations

Savings

Use of goat and

cattle manure

Mulching

Shade cloth tunnels

Dipping

Small

businesses

Canopy cover and

legumes (Lab-Lab)

Infiltration pits

Beds: raised beds, trench

beds, eco-circles

Proper feed;

including from

fodder

produced

Farmer

centres

Diversified crops

to hold soil and

prevent erosion

Gardenlayout

with shallow

furrows for

water

harvesting and

retention

Tower gardens –fertility

and greywater

management

Addition of

supplements

Selling

chickens

Greywater

management

Conservation agriculture;

including management of

residues

Limiting burning

of veld

Improved

irrigation

practices

Inter cropping and crop

rotation

Planting grass;

ungwengwe

and kikuyu

Rainwater

storage in JoJo

tanks and

drums

Diversified crops in fields;

different varieties of

maize, sorghum, millet,

legumes (e.g. cowpeas,

beans, Lab-lab), cover

crops

Spring

protection

Use of Decis Forte

(Pyrethrins) for pest

control in fields

Buying JoJo

tanks –and

negotiating

with water

trucks to fill

these

Liquid manure

Mixed cropping in

gardens

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

From this table it can be seen that

participants have implemented a wide

range of practices in cropping and

gardening and have also started to

focus on livestock production and

management. They have given no

attention to natural resources

management, erosion control, or soil

and water conservation in grazing

management.

Right: Ananalysis of practices related

to the “five fingers’ concept

In addition, participantsspecifically

mentioned the benefits of trench beds:

➢These beds produce very high yields

➢They keep the soil fertile for a long time and

➢They hold a lot of water –saving on irrigation needs.

In addition, although agro-ecology is promoted and organic gardening demonstrated and promoted,

the use of pesticides such as Blue Death (Carbaryl) and Bulala Zonke (Malathion) in the gardens, is

common.

In addition, in the Conservation Agriculture experimentation process participants have been using

Decis Forte (pyrethrin) to control both cut worm and stalk borer. Contrary to expectations that the

need for this pesticide would reduce over time, participants feel that itis becoming more important

with the changing weatherconditions as the stalk borer load in their fields has increased. They also

believe that spraying this pesticide reduces the incidence of birds feeding on their seed.

Changes and benefits from CSA practices

This exercise consisted of doinga matrix ranking of practices farmers have used in the past year;

incorporating gardening, field cropping, livestock management, soil and water conservation and water

issues (access, availability).

Impact indicators for this exercise were developed in 2 small groups by asking participants to outline

how they make decisions about which practices to use and what changes they would observe.

Below is a summary of the Matrix for each of the 2 small groups. A process of proportional piling was

used forthe scoring ofeach practice andindicator –where 100 counters were provided for each

indicator and the small group decided how these would be placed proportionally for each practice. In

this way participants can comment on; more or less, and how much more or less. The outcome of the

exercise is quantifiable in terms of gauging percentages.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

The 3rd group conducted an exercise in comparing different water saving practices

Matrix 1

For this matrix the practices were conflated to encompass all specific practices within that category.

❖Conservation agriculture; minimal tillage, soil cover, crop diversification

❖Savings: Village saving and loan associations, rotational saving in small groups towards

specific infrastructural needs, personal savings

❖Livestock; fodder production, vaccinations, dipping, supplementation

❖Gardening; bed design (trench beds, eco-circles, raised beds, tower gardens, tunnels,

mulching, mixed cropping, crop diversification, inclusion of herbs, infiltration pits and water

conservation furrows.

❖Crop rotation; 3-4 crop rotations in field cropping

❖Intercropping: grain-legume and grain -cover crop intercropping options in field cropping

❖Small businesses; including agricultural and non- agricultural businesses; sale of snacks in

schools, sewing, baking, poultry production, maize milling etc.

The impact indicators developed by this group are of particular interest as they are multi-dimensional

talking at least two different aspects for each indicator Additionally, the exercise was run so that each

practice is compared with the other practices when considering one of the indicators or criteria. This

greatly increases the value and reliability of the scores provided by the group.

Comments:

➢The overall impact on livelihoods (which is seen as the combination of the indicators chosen

by the group) is shown under the ‘total” column. From this, the participants clearly consider

the Conservation Agriculture (CA) process as the most significant, followed by gardening,

small businesses, savings and livestock –in decreasing order

Soil;

health

and

fertility

Money;

income

and

savings

Productivity;

acceptance of

practice,

saving in

farming –

equipment,

labour

Knowledge;

increased

knowledge

and ability to

use

Food; how

much

produced

and how

healthy

Water;

use

and

access

Social agency;

Support,

empowerment

Total

Conservation

Agriculture

156

Savings

Livestock

Gardening

107

Crop rotation

Intercropping

Small

businesses

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Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

➢The practices of crop rotation and intercropping fall under the ambit of CA.the comparison

of these two practices by community members has shown some very interesting learnings

and conceptions;

oCrop rotation is considered to be better at increasing soil health and soil fertility

than intercropping–showing an internalisation by the group of the positive effects

of rotation of the main grain crops with legumes and cover crop combinations, as

well as an observation that this works better than intercropping by itself. This

observation is clearly supported by academic evidence.

oIncome, savings and productivity areconsidered to be somewhat higher for

intercropping; again, a very astute observation from the group. Generally,

participants prefer crop rotation over inter-cropping, but are able to appreciate the

increases in productivity and potential income due to intercropping options.

oWater use and access is considered by this group to be quite a bit better for crop

rotation, when compared to intercropping. They have noticed the potential of

intercropped grain and legume plots as well as grain and cover crop plots to show

signs of water stress and competition for water (and potentially nutrients) between

the crops. Although, academically this is not the case in well managed fields, it is

quite likely in more infertile plots.

oRegarding social agency; group participants are more easily able to relate to the

concept of crop rotation as they find crop management in the single cropped blocks

a lot easier (including weeding and harvesting) and do not have difficult decisions to

make in terms of choices of timing of harvesting and extended harvesting periods.

Matrix 2

Money

Food

Fertility

Saving water

Total

Mulching

CA; Maize and bean

intercrop

Pipes for channelling

water to households

Trench beds

Using animal traction

CA; crop rotation

Tower gardens

Matrix 3; water practices ranking

This group Ranked the practices,rather than the criteria and discussions revolved primarilyaround

water management in gardens.

Practice

Ranking

Criteria

JoJo tanks

Good healthy food, water supply, safe clean water, increased moisture

holding, reduced conflict among neighbours, and reduced costs

Grey water

Infiltration pits

Mulching

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

Comment: The JoJo tanks assist the most, but in winter, they need to be filled from water tankerssupplied by

the Municipality, which can be expensive.

Comments:

➢JoJo tanks are considered a good investment for increased water security at household and

gardening level, much more so than any of the in- situ water conservation practices such as

infiltration pits and mulching.

➢Interestingly, participants from both Bergville and Estcourt mentioned that they have

persuaded the operators for the water tankers from the municipality to fill up their JoJo

tanks for a fee. This is a win-win situation for both the participants, who can now have

access to a lot more water than is usually supplied to them through the municipality and the

municipalities themselves, who can now offer water to selected households and feel that

they are “doing their work”.

➢At a systemic level however, this is an extremely alarming trend. The water tankers are meant

to be a back-up plan for municipalities where their water supply falls short in terms of servicing

people and for emergencies. It has however become the main way in which water is provided

and is unfortunately part and parcel of the broader defrauding of government coffers and

state capture. It is possibly the most expensive way to supply water that was ever conceived

and allows certain interests to benefit disproportionately-namely the companies providing

and maintaining these tankers, which predictably are linked tothe government officials

themselves. One tanker is said to cost aroundR35 000/ day to run and maintain, but only

carries around 20 000l of water- and if used to fill up JoJo tanks, can only supply around 5-10

people in a day. The fees paid to the tanker operators are also bribes, rather than an official

process, making theentire procedure extremely questionable.

Expanding on CSA practices

Participants have suggestedthat they will continue expanding the CSA practices and have outlined

strategies for each of the villages. What this shows is that there is substantialpotential for horizontal

expansion and learning within the communities themselves and that if a careful, fully participatory

process is used for introduction and support of CSA practices, that quite complex processes can be

talked. The community members whoare still engaged in farming have a “hunger’ for farming systems

that are more productive and that would better support their livelihoods and take on new ideas.

It also indicated the clearly that farmers learning from other farmers is the most successful and the

most likely to build a sustainable framework of implementation that the participants can build on.

Village

New practices

COMMENTS

Stulwane

-Fencing of fields

-Grazing management

-Making hay bales

-Fodder production

-Supplementation with protein in winter

(licks, pre-mixes and liquids)

There is a lot of interest in the tunnels

and participantshave agreed to save

towards buying shade netting and

putting up their own structures- as the

provision of further tunnel kits through

this process is not possible.

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

-Saving for shade netting tunnels

Interest in fodder production, making

of hayand supplementation for

livestock is high and interestingly also

something that a number of women

have volunteered to become involved

in –especially in Ezibomvini and

Eqeleni.

Emazibeni and Emabunzini are areas

where participants have come across

the work done in other villages and

have asked to be brought on board.

They are learning about CSA from

these groups and individuals.

Eqeleni

-Fodder production-Continue with

planting different fodder types

-Making of hay bales

-Supplementation

-Saving for shade netting tunnels

Ezibomvini

-Spring protection

-Making of hay bales

-Supplementation

-Saving for shade netting tunnels

Thamela

-Eco-circle

-Saving for shade netting tunnels

Emazimbeni

-Fencing of fields

- Tower gardens

- Planting pottoes in bags

-Saving for shade netting tunnels

Emabunzini

-Trench beds

-Saving for shade netting tunnels

Evaluation of the workshop

Some significant comments made in closing by participants included:

➢We learnt a lot by bringing people from different areas together

➢We have been provided with information on how to implement different practices such as

different types of beds in the garden and water management

➢We have also seen the proof of these practices here in Phumelele’s garden

➢We are grateful that Mahlathini has not forgotten the farmers

5CSA PRACTICES / DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM

Written By Erna Kruger and Catherine van den Hoof1

1Post- doctoral fellow at the global change research and sustainability Institute, WITS.

The initial modelling process designed has now been refined and updated. A few of the input

parameters have been changed to moreclearlyreflect the local conditions in South Africa and more

baseline interviews have been conducted and compiled toruna more accurate simulation of the

model

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

Baselines and DSS refined

A total of 41 baseline interviews have now been conducted across 7 villages across Limpopo, KZN and

EC.

The number have been increased to; increase the reliability of the summary information, ‘ratify” the

farmer typology suggested and provide input forthe DSS modelling process to test the design for

coherence.

From this summary table it is possible to build a ‘profile’ of the community members who have been

engaging on a voluntary basis in this climate change adaptation learning process:

➢Around 71% of the participants in this process are women and the average age of

participants is 51 years.

➢Female headed households consist of 63%, and in general 76% of participants are heads of

their household.

➢All participants belong to social groups linked to livelihood activities in the following order of

prevalence: learning groups, savings groups, school gardening groups and cooperatives.

➢Average household size is 6 people, with slightly more adults on average, than children in

each household

➢The dependency ratio is 1,14

➢Income is received from grants for 63% of households, from salaries for 46% of households

and from sale of produce for 36,5% of households

29.0

51.2

3.2

2.8

1.14

2.33

5.77

Gender (F)

Average Age

Household head

Primary school

High school

Tertiary

Social organization

Learning group

Savings group

School gardening group

Farmer 's cooperative

No, of adults in HH

No, of children

Dependency ratio

Grants

Salary

Income from veg sales

Income (in R1000)- unemployed

Income (in R1000)- employed

Baseline inofrmation: Socio-economic (n=41)

Total

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

➢Average income for unemployed households (no-one in the household is employed) is R

2330/month and for those households where 1 or more members are employed is

R5770/month.

➢Severe disparity in income potential between male and female headed households, linked to

ahigher dependency ratio indicating care for more children, in female headed households

indicate the high level of vulnerability of these households. This is summarisedin the small

summary table below.

The picture for access to resources indicates that:

➢A large proportion of participants (73%) have access to small areas of land (0,1-1ha) for

gardening and cropping,

➢Around 80% of participants undertake mixed farming (gardening, cropping and livestock

husbandry), with 20% engaging in further livelihood activities,

➢Around 88% of participants have access to municipalwater for household use (albeit very

limited amounts. None of the participants have access to agricultural water,

73%

12%

76%

73%

80%

20%

61%

22%

51%

37%

49%

78%

73%

90%

12%

27%

41%

90%

0,1 - 1 ha

1-2 ha

>2ha

Gardens

Field cropping

Livestock, chickens

No,other livelihood activities

Fruit trees

Indigenous plants

Tap water

Standpipe

Borehole

RWH storage

Electricity

Fencing

Hand tools

Traction; incl animal

Market access

Local markets

Training and advice

farm

scale

operation

farming

activities

Natur

resou

rces HH infrastructure

Farmi

infras

tructu

Livelihoo

Baseline information: Access to resources (N=41)

Household head

Ave hh income

Dependency ratio

Male headed

R 6 730

0,89

Female headed

R 1 361

1,21

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

➢Around 90% of participants have access only to handtools and around 12% areengaged in

animal traction. None of the participants own tractors and

➢Around 41% of participants have access to local markets and 27% have access to more

formalised markets.

From this summary information, it is clear that support CSA needs to focus in mixed farming systems,

low external input and sustainable options and livelihoods stabilisation –food first, then income. A

focus on microfinance options such as savings, micro-loans and small businesses is also important.

The next section gives an indication of the proportional levels of poverty for the participant group

Typologies

Smallholder farmers fall within different categories of resource availability, capabilities and aims for

their farming. A typology(segmentation approach)for the smallholder participants was developed

earlier in this process. With the additional participant baselines and assessments, thistypology has

been ratified and an indication of the proportion of participants belonging to each category has been

gleaned. The typologies are briefly summarised below

The table below indicates the typology for each of the participants interviewed for the baseline

assessment

Table 16: Typologies for participants in baseline survey, 2019

Province

Village

Name and Surname

Typology A

Typology B

Typology C

Limpopo

Sekororo

Chenne Mailula

Sekororo

Lydia Sechube

Sekororo

Xhukwane

Sekororo

Masine Morerwa

Sekororo

Mdimi Shai

TYPOLOGY A: (2,5million);

Female, farm for food only,

very low incomes –mostly

unemployed, access to small

plots, no hhlevel access to

water, lower education levels

and no access to formal

markets.

Belong to VSLAs, engage in

other livelihood activities

TYPOLOGY B: (250 000)

Male and female, farm for

food and sell surplus, slightly

higher incomes, some

access tohh levelwater,

somewhat higher education

levels and no access to

formal markets

Belong to VSLAs

TYPOLOGY C: (10 000);

Male, farm mainly for

income, much higher

incomes from employment

in hh, good access to water,

higher education levels and

access to formal markets.

Belong to cooperatives or

farm individually

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Sekororo

Flora Maimela

KZN

Swayimane

Khanyisile Xasibe

Swayimane

Thandazile Mathonsi

Swayimane

Constance Mcanyana

Swayimane

Busisiwe Khoza

Swayimane

Lindiwe Zondi

Swayimane

Gugu Ximba

Ntabamhlophe

Winnie Dlamini

Ntabamhlophe

Zanele Ngobese

Eqeleni

Ntombakhe Zikode

Eqeleni

Thulile Zikode

Eqeleni

Sibongile Zikode

Eqeleni

Nomalanga Khumalo

Eqeleni

Balungile Mkhwanazi

Eqeleni

Sizeni Dlamini

Ezibomvini

Nombono Dladla

Ezibomvini

Zodwa Zikode

Ezibomvini

Phumelele Hlongwane

Ezibomvini

Sdudla Sibiya

Ezibomvini

Fikile Zikode

Ezibomvini

Gcinile Zikode

Ezibomvini

Nonhlanhla Zikode

Mxumbu

Pheza Makisi

Mxumbu

Bongiwe Mxonywa

Mxumbu

Xolisa Dwane

Mxumbu

Mncadi Mabandla

Mxumbu

Mandisa Mama

Mxumbu

Siyabulela Gungqceni

Mxumbu

Thangolomuzi Hogana

Dimbaza

Aviwe Biko

Nowawe

Jack Mphangeli

Xhukwane

Jende Monwabisi

Dimbaza

Tshembela Nadathini

Ginsberg

Parichi Edmore

Quzini

Msisiwe Phindiwe

Quzini

Nomasomi Mjacu

TOTAL

From this table,49% ofparticipantsfall under typology A, 27% under typology Band24 % under

typology C. The proportions are somewhat different to a broader assessment of typologiesfor rural

WRC K4/2719 Deliverable 7: Progress report

Mahlathini Development Foundation May 2019

smallholder communities; which indicate 72% in typologyA, 29% in typology Band 5% in typology C

(Cousins B, 2015)

The proportionof participants in the different segments of typologies, for this study, indicate a good

spread of people across all three typologies and indicate that the methodology and decision support

process is appropriate for all three typologies.

Refinement of the DSS Model

All information, except the physical environment; i.e. climate, soil and topography, and the resources

and management strategies, were derived through the use of a range of participatory processes. Data

on the physical environmental conditions have been taken from datasets freely available online. This

information can however be customised by the DSS user, incase more appropriate information is

available for the specific farmer concerned.

The first round of modelling consisted of using the baseline information of 26 HH across KZN, EC and

Limpopo to assess the fit of the model. The output of the model is a list/basket of practices for each

farmer based on the physical environment, farming system and farmer typology.

-Variables in the physicalenvironment include: the agroecological zone, soil texture,

percentage organic carbon, and slope

-Variables in the farming system include: gardening, field cropping livestock management and

natural resources/trees

-Within each farming system the resources to manage are assessed- as further variables using

the following criteria:

Resources and management strategies

water (quantity)

soil

(fertility)

crop/tree resistance and

efficiency

Livestock resistance and

efficiency

harvesting

retention

use efficiency

conservation

improvement

water

heat

nutrient

disease

water

heat

nutrient

disease

Cousins, B. (2015). Through a glass darkly: towards agrarian reform in South Africa, in: Ben Cousins and Cherryl Walker (eds), 2015. Land

Divided, Land Restored. Land Reform in South Africa for the 21st Century. Auckland Park: Jacana (250-269).

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Four types of resources have been identified: water, andin particular quantity (1), soil, in particular

fertility (2), crops (3) and livestock (4), in particular efficiency and resistance, as represented in Figure

4. Efficiency refers to the conversion of water, nutrients or land into the required output, such as

biomass per unitarea of land cultivation or seed generation of the plantitself. Resistance relates to

crops or livestock that are for example better adapted todrought or heat conditions or better

protected against diseases, etc.

-Variablesin the farmer typology include: gender of household head, dependency ratio, level

of education, employment status, income, electricity or tap water in the household, access to

markets, reason for farming and farm size (These are the independent variables extracted

from the baseline survey for each farmer).

Assumptions made

The informationprovided in this section as well as the section above has been compiled and used to

build Table 3. The justification for managing the different resources in our DSS is as follows:

•Semi-arid warm: in this environment water is limited and the temperatures can be hot. Water

and heat stress are the main limiting factors. Pests and diseases inplants and animals are

present.

•Sub-humid cool: in a more humid environment, weeds grow well and can create a competing

environment for nutrients. Plants and animals are also more prone to diseases.

•Sandy soils: those soils have poor structures, with low water and nutrient holding capacity.

They heat up fast. Certain practices are not suitable in sandy soils and more specifically sandy

soils in semi-arid regions, where rainfed crops and trees can be difficult to establish and

maintain.

•Clayey soils: high levelof clay can increase the probability of erosion due to crusting, in

particular undersemi-arid environment.Water andOC retention in claysoils are important

management principles.

•OC: soils with less than 1,5% OC are considered to be of low fertility.%OC in sandy soils is

inherently lower and more difficult to build up than in high clay soils.

•Slope: above 5% sloping, agricultural production becomessub-optimal due to erosion and run-

off, in both semi-arid and sub-humid regions. Slope above 15%; agricultural production is not

suitable under all conditions, due to water and nutrient run-off.

Table 9allows us to identify, for each farming HH, the resources to manage and the related strategies

within each farming system taking the environmental conditions into account. It thus combines the

proxis for the physical environment, farming systems and management strategies.

Table 17:Criteria to define the resources to manage and related strategies (version 1)

Note: * (solely in semi-arid zone)

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Practices recommended (Round 1) for 26 HH

Based on the above assumptions and proxies a list of practices were recommended for the initial 26

household baseline. These lists have been “reality tested” against the facilitation team’s general

experience in the areas. It was found that soil and waterconservation practiceswere under

represented when using this version of the model. This outcome is summarised in the slide below (as

presented at the Agroecology Networking session in December 2018)

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Refinement of the DSS model (Version 2)

Three changes have been made:

1. It has been assumed that water (harvesting, retention and use efficiency) is important for all

farmers (thus=1 for all)

2. It has been assumed that soil conservation is important for all farmers (thus=1 for all)

3. Certain restrictions for soil texture and slope have been removed. Water (harvesting,

retention and use efficiency) and soil conservation are no longer restricted to the semi-arid

zone only, as was the case in the first round.

The table 9 above has thus been changed as shown in table 10 below. Basically the *s have been

removed

Table 18: Criteria to define the resources to manage and related strategies (version 2)

Minor changes were also made to some of the excel formulae used in the model.

These changes have broadened the practices recommended for most of the participants, as shown in

the examples below; one participant each from KZN, Limpopo and Eastern Cape. The practices

highlighted in brown are new practices included in version 2 of themodel, a further 9 practices related

to soil and water conservation. This version is considered a better fit for conditions on the ground.

Table 19: Basket/list of practices recommended for version 1 and 2 of the DSS

Province

KZN

Limpopo

Village

Ezibomvini

Sekororo

Mxumbu

Name and Surname

Phumelele Hlongwane

Chenne Mailula

Xolisa Dwane

DSS versions

Version 2

Version 1

Version 2

Version 1

Version 2

Version 1

Drip irrigation

Bucket drip kits

Furrows andridges/ furrow irrigation

Greywater management

Shade cloth tunnels

Mulching

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Improved organic matter (manure

and crop residues)

Diversion ditches

Grass water ways

Infiltration pits / banana circles

Zai pits

Rain water harvesting storage

Tied ridges

Half moon basins

Small dams

Contours; ploughing and planting

Gabions

Stone bunds

Check dams

Cut off drains / swales

Terraces

Stone packs

Strip cropping

Pitting

Woodlots for soil reclamation

Targeted application of small

quantities of fertilizer, lime etc

Liquid manures

Woody hedgerows for browse,

mulch, green manure, soil

conservation

Conservation Agriculture

Planting legumes, manure, green

manures

Mixed cropping

Planting herbs and multifunctional

plants

Agroforestry (trees + agriculture)

Trench beds/ eco circles

push-pull technology

Natural pest and disease control

Integrated weed management

Breeding improved varieties (early

maturing, drought tolerant,

improved nutrients),

Seed production / saving / storing

Crop rotation

Stall feeding and haymaking

Creep feeding and supplementation

Rotational grazing

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De-bushing and over sowing

Rangeland reinforcement

Bioturbation

Tower garden

Keyhole beds

No of practices recommended

For the KZN participant, this means that around 88% of the list of practices have been recommended

for her. She already had the largest numberof recommendations (in version1) beinga farmer in

Typology B (fewer restrictions) and engaging in gardening, cropping and livestock production.

Although this is quite high, it is understood that the farmer level ranking is still to take place and these

practices can then be prioritized and narrowed down further. For the Limpopo and EC participants,

around 1/3 of practices have been recommended in their basket of options.

A general analysis of practices for the 41 households shows that only 5 practices have been

recommended for all (opposed to 4 in version 1):

•Improved organic matter

•Integrated weed management

•Breeding improved varieties

•Seed production / saving / storing

•Rainwater harvesting storage

And a number of practices have been recommended for none of the 41 HH:

•Drip irrigation

•Bucket drip kits

•Furrows and ridges/ furrow irrigation

•Stone bunds

•Terraces

•Tied ridges

•Grassed waterways

•Stall feeding and haymaking

These practices are constrained by land size, typology and slope of the most part, but are not

considered inherently unsuitable for smallholder farmers. They could still be presented to learning

groups in special cases, where their applicability is considered suitable.

Ranking of suggested practices based on score provided by the facilitator

Based on scores provided by the facilitator (the generic score used in the DSS) the basket of practices

can be ordered by preference. In the table below,a ranking based on facilitator’s scores, is provided

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for the farming HH ‘Phumelele Hlongwane’located in Ezibomvini, KZN.According to the facilitator,

improving organic matter, pitting, ConservationAgriculture and Agroforestry are the most appropriate

interventions (having the highest score).are the most appropriate practices suggested by the DSS for

this HH. Thisis followed by keyhole beds, tower gardens, woody hedgerows, Zai pits and infiltration

pits.

Table 20:Ranking of suggested practices by ‘the facilitator’ for Phumelele Hlongwane (DSS version 2)

Ranking of suggested practices based on score provided by the farmer

A participatory impact monitoring process for the KZN participants (Bergville and Tabamhlophe)

provided an assessment of practices actually tried out and prioritized for impact on livelihoods. This

gives us an opportunity to compare the outcomes of the computer based DSS with a real case study.

Field cropping

vegetatble

gardening

Livestock

Tree andother

nat.resources

Practices

0 0 0 0

Drip irrigation

0 0 0 0

Bucket drip kits

0 0 0 0

Furrows and ridges/ furrow irrigation

0 5 0 0

Greywater management

0 8 0 0

Shade cloth tunnels

0 9 0 0

Mulching

11 11011

Improved organic matter (manure and crop

residues)

9 9 0 9

Diversion ditches

0 0 0 0

Grass water ways

010 0 0

Infiltration pits / banana circles

10 100 0

Zai pits

9 9 9 9

Rain water harvesting storage

0 0 0 0

Tied ridges

0 0 0 0

Half moon basins

0 0 0 0

Small dams

0 0 0 0

Contours; ploughing and planting

0 0 0 0

Gabions

0 0 0 0

Stone bunds

0 0 0 0

Check dams

0000 Cut off drains / swales

0 0 0 0

Terraces

9 9 0 9

Stone packs

11 0 0 0

Strip cropping

11 011 11

Pitting

9 0 9 9

Woodlots for soil reclamation

8 0 0 0

Targeted application of small quantities of fertilizer,

lime etc

0 7 0 0

Liquid manures

10 010 10

Woody hedgerows for browse, mulch, green manure,

soil conservation

11 11 11 11

Conservation Agriculture

8 8 0 8

Planting legumes, manure, green manures

9 9 0 0

Mixed cropping

9 9 0 0

Planting herbs and multifunctional plants

11 11 11 11

Agroforestry (trees + agriculture)

0 9 0 0

Trench beds/ ecocircles

7 0 0 0

push-pull technology

7 7 0 7

Natural pest and disease control

7 7 0 7

Integrated weed management

7 7 7 7

Breeding improved varieties (early maturing,

drought tolerant, improved nutrients),

6 6 0 6

Seed production / saving / storing

9 9 0 0

Crop rotation

0 0 0 0

Stallfeeding and haymaking

0 0 7 0

Creep feeding and supplementation

0 0 9 0

Rotational grazing

0 0 9 0

Debushing and oversowing

0 0 9 0

Rangeland reinforcement

9 9 9 9

Bioturbation

010 0 0

Tower garden

010 0 0

Keyhole beds

E. Score provided by facilitator for suggested

practices that are not constrained

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The table below summarises the practices according to those recommended through the DSS, but not

yet tried, those not recommended but tried and practices tried out that are not in the DSS list of

practices.

Table 21: Analysis of CSA practices implemented in KZN (Bergville, Tabamhlophe) –2017-2019

Practices recommended not yet tried

Practices tried, not

recommended

Not in recommendations

Zai pits

Bucket drip irrigation

Making compost

Contours; ploughing and planting

Improved irrigation practices

Stone packs

Spring protection

Strip cropping

Limited burning of veld

Pitting

Vaccinations and dipping

Agroforestry

Natural pest and disease control

Breeding improved varieties

Seed saving

Integrated weed management

Rotational grazing

De-bushing and over-sowing

Rangeland reinforcement

Keyhole beds

The facilitated DSS process is designed tobe cyclical and seasonal, to allow smallholder farmers to

prioritize and experiment with a couple of prioritized practices at a time and to build on these, over

time. The results above indicate the work to date over 2 seasons. Practices blocked in green are those

that have already been planned into thecoming growing season. These include strip cropping, natural

pest and disease control, seed saving and keyhole beds.

The practices not recommended by tried out by farmers, are those that should still be included in the

DSS and will be considered in the 3rd and final version of this model

Overall there is a very good coherence in practices recommended by the computer- based model and

those recommended through the facilitated process.

6DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS AND MANUALS

At presentwork on the facilitation manual for theDSS in Climate Smart Agriculture is underway. It

will cover the theoretical underpinnings, methodologies used and detailed facilitation outlines for the

climate change adaptation workshop series (workshops 1-3) designed to facilitatethis process. A

linked booklet of resources is to be produced for use during the workshops.

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The first draft of the manual is presented in Attachment 2 to this report.

Farmer level learning materials have been adapted from existing learning materials:

-Kruger E. 2015.Introduction to Conservation Agriculture.Produced by the GrainSA

Conservation Farmer InnovationProgramme, with financial support provided by The Maize

Trust

-Kruger Eand Wigley J. 2011. Composting and Manure Utilization: natural methods for

improving soil fertility. Produced by the Empowerment for Food Security Programme,

KwaZulu Natal Department of Agriculture, environmental Affairs and Rural Developmentwith

financial support provided by FICA.

-Kruger E, de Lange M and Stimie CM. 2009. Agricultural Water management in Homestead

farming Systems: A resource Kit for Farmers, Farmer Trainers and Facilitators. Produced by

the Water Research Commission.

These learning materials are available in both English andisiZulu.

siPedi translations have been made for the following handouts (for use in Limpopo):

-Farmer level experimentation

- Soil

-Methods for improving soil fertility

-Bed design for soil fertility

-Bag and tower gardens

-Keyhole gardens

-Seed saving

-Natural pest and disease control

-Fruit production and natural pest control

These handouts are presented in Attachment 3 to this report.

Cropping calendars

As changes in planting times and changes in crops suitable for planting is a substantial part of the

climate change adaptation process, a participatory process was undertaken in Limpopo, in conjunction

with the AWARD agricultural Support Initiative to design cropping calendars suitable to the area under

climate change conditions. A calendar has been produced for both dry land cropping and vegetable

production. They are shown in the 2 diagrams below:

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Figure 3: Dry land cropping calendar for Lower Olifant’s in Limpopo, March 2019

Figure 4: vegetable production calendar for the Lower Olifant’s in Limpopo, March 2019

Wet yearNormal year Dry year

September to April

Rains early

Sept-Oct

Rains Oct-Nov

Rains late

Nov-Jan

>600mm/year450-600mm/year 150-400mm/year

Maize

Best Sugarcane

Possible Sorghum

Not a good ideaMillet

Other grain and fodder crops

Cowpeas

Jugo beans

Ground nuts

Sugar beans

Pumpkins, butternut

Melons, watermelons

Sweet potatoes

Potatoes

Fruit trees: mangoes, bananas,

oranges, avocadoes

What should we plant?

Dryland

Summer Cropping Season

MrchApril MayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDecJanFeb

Baby marrows

Basil

Beetroot

Brinjal

Cabbage

Carrots

Chilli

Green beans

Green pepper

Kale and other morogo e.g. amaranthus

Lettuce

Leeks, sping onions

Mustard spinach

Onions

Parsley

Peas

Tomatoes

When can I plant vegetables?

Too hot to plant!

Vegetables

need

irrigation!

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7CAPACITY BUILDING AND PUBLICATIONS

Capacity building has been undertaken on three levels:

•Community level learning

•Organisational capacity building

•Post graduate students

Community leveland organisational capacity building have continued within this reporting period.

Post graduate students

A number of changes have occurred within the postgraduate students. Two students have withdrawn

from this process:

oSylvester Selalahas withdrawn from registration of hi PhD concept and has left the

employ of MDF. He will not pursue a doctorate at this time.

oKhethwieMthethwa has found permanent employment and is not presently

registered for her second year of an MSC. This is mostly due to the fact the UKZN only

offers 1 year of fee remission for Masters candidates and the director of MDF was not

made aware of this fact in time.

Another student has re-registered and is presently self-funded:

oPalesa Motaung has suffered in her registration process due to the ARC not paying

bursaries as awarded to postgraduate students. She has now paid some of her own

fees and commenced with her field work.

And a new PhD candidate has come on board as an intern at MDF

oSamukhelisiwe Mkhize has recently registered for a PhD in Social Sciences (Policy and

Development Studies). The topic of her concept proposal is An investigation into the

factors limiting and promoting the adoption of CSA in smallholder systems in South

Africa (See some of her notes linked to herconcept proposal in Attachment 4)

Progress: Research methodology and initial field work:

oMazwi Dlamini: MPhil - UWC_PLAAS. Factors influencing the adoption and non-

adoption of Conservation Agriculture in smallholder farming systems, and the

implications of these for livelihoods and food security in Bergville, Kwazulu-Natal.

In the last five months Mazwi has commenced with his field work and has undertaken a number of

focus group discussions and started on the individual interviews- which is the first round of the

research process. He is presently writing up the findings as a chapter of his thesis.

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Networking and presentations

Joint farmers day with KZNDARD in Bergville (12 March 2019)

The day consisted of a field visit to a liming trial that was conducted with KZNDARD on the CA plot for

one of the programme participants in Mahlathini (Stulwane), Bergville. Thereafter, all participants

joined for presentations on

-Best practice in liming (Mr Mashiyane–Landcare KZNDARD),

-Cultivation and benefits of soy beans (Mr Johns, Cedara, KZNDARD) and

-Soil health benefits of Conservation Agriculture (Miss Zondi,

MDF)

Right: Mr Mashiyane

discussing the

advantagesof

incorporation of lime

in the soil vs

broadcasting and

Far Right: Miss Zondi

presenting results of

soil health analysis in

participants’ plots

Agroecology Network: Agro-ecology smallholder farmers open Day (12 March 2019)

Attendees: Smallholder Farmers, Traditional authorities, NGOs, CBOs, RBOs, Universities & Research

Institutions, Private Sector,Donor organisations, Municipalities, Government Organisations and any

other individuals or organisation with interest in working with smallholder farmers in Mopani,

Sekhukhune and Capricorn Districts

The purpose of this shared learning event was to;

oProvide opportunities for sharing of experiences and agroecological good practices and

challenges amongst smallholder farmers in Capricorn, Mopani and Sekhukhune districts, Limpopo

Province, South Africa

oEnable smallholderfarmers to showcase their achievements of practising agroecology as a

strategy for climate change and adaptation

oDemonstrate the impact that AWARD/RESILIM O’s Agriculture Support Initiative (AgriSI) is

having on the lives of smallholder farmers within the Olifants’river sub catchment of the Limpopo

basin.

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Participant farmers collated

posters with photographs

and comments for their CSA

practices to present on the

day.

Right: Farmers survey their

CSA practice posters.

On the day the following visits were conducted:

-Extensive clinic garden run along agroecology principles in Groblersdal

-2 Youth projects in the area

-A CSA garden in Tafelkop and

-A seed saving initiative

in Monsterlus

At this venue farmers also

presented their best practice

options and discussed their

progress.

Right: Christinah Thobejane

from Sedawa (Lower Olifants’)

presenting her CSA practices.