Smallholder CRA and Water Provision Milestone 3 - 1st Project Report

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

WWF-MDF_ID1854-ZA06370C_Water stewardship in

the upper uThukela: Smallholder climate resilient

agriculture and water provision

Milestone 3: 1stProject report.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Between September andDecember 2022,the following broad activities have been undertaken:

1.Spring protection: Water committee meetings and updates in3 villages,Vimbukhalo,Stulwane and Ezibomvini.

Water walksand design of water source protection andreticulationdevelopment scenarioin Vimbukhalo, followed

by borehole flow and water quality test and finalisation of system plan. A new pump has been procured. Next steps

will be the borehole revitalization and putting in piping and taps for 56 beneficiary households.

2.CRA implementation: CA review and planning sessions for 5 villages, collaboratively managed trials planned for 25

participants and farmer led CA trials for a further 85 participants. A total of 110 participants across 5 villages involved

and planting Soil samples taken for ??? participants. Runoff pans (3 per participant) and rain gauges set up for 8

CMT participants. Inputs procured and plantingcommenced on 15 November 2022. Planting will continue until 15

December 2022. Next steps are to do planting and crop growth monitoringfor the 25 CMTS and to set up fodder

supplementation trials (Jan-Feb 2023).

3.Crop diversity and marketing: Introduction of different varieties of maize (generic hybrids and short season maize),

beans, cover crops (sorghum, Sun hemp sunflower), fodder crops(turnips, cowpeas) into the system.

NARRATIVE REPORT

PROJECT DETAILS

Assessment: The

project is going well

and is on track to

finish by the set date

On track to achieve outcomes

Yes

Concern about progress

Did not achieve outcomes

Project No and Title

WWF-MDF_ID1854-ZA06370.C_Water stewardship in the upper uThukela: Smallholder climate

resilient agriculture and water provision

Date of approval

6thOctober 2020

Start and end date

1stJuly2022- 30 April 2024

Project value

R1285 000

Contractor’s name

Mahlathini Development Foundation

Project objectives

106 farmers across 5-8 villages improve on CA in their farming system (20ha's). A volumetric

water benefit (VWB) for reduced runoff (~5000001lha/annum) and reduced consumption (~7

million l/ha) are assumed and measured.

Spring protection (v box) with limited reticulation to header tanks and taps for 20 households

which is community owned and managed is implemented in at least 1 village with full involvement

of institutional stakeholders to explore governance and stewardship options.

Project outcomes

1.3.2. Monitoring and measurement of VWB of Conservation Agriculture and livestock integration

practices in the upper uThukela for smallholder farmer communities

1.3.2.1 Development of CA farmer level trials for a minimum 75 participants with measurement

of run-off, rainfall, bulk density, evapotranspiration and water productivity for around 8-12

participants.

a.5 Members of 5 CRA learning groups plan, layout and plan CA collaboratively

managed trials (CMT’s). Run-off pans installed for 8-12 participantsfor round 1

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

b.Crop growth monitoring for 25CMTs, run-offand rainfallresults compiled, bulk

density and water productivity sampling undertaken and analysed,and yield

measurements undertaken for round 1

c.5 Members of 5 CRA learning groups plan,layout and plan CA collaboratively

managed trials (CMT’s). Run-off pans installed for 8-12 participants for round 2

d.Crop growth monitoring for 25 CMTs, run-off and rainfall results compiled, bulk

density and water productivity sampling undertaken and analysed and yield

measurements undertaken for round 2

1.3.3 Improved crop diversity, yields, and marketing for three local value chainsleading to

improved livelihood and incomes for smallholder farmers in the upper uThukela

1.3.3.1 Inclusion of a range of options for cropping different varieties of maize, legumes and cover

crops for 110 CA participants undertaking CA farmer level experimentation. Measurement of

cropping areas, crop growth and yield for a minimum of 75 participants.

a.CA trials set up for 110participants across 5 CRA learning groups in the

Emmaus area. Planning meetings, demonstration and learning workshop and

planting support. Cropping areas measured.Round 1

b.Monitoring for a minimum of 20% of 110farmer level CA trials. Yield

measurements done.Round 1

c.CA trials set up for 110participants across 5 CRA learning groups in the

Emmaus area. Planning meetings, demonstration and learning workshop and

planting support. Cropping areas measured.Round

d.Monitoring for a minimum of 20% of 110farmer level CA trials. Yield

measurements done.Round 2

1.3.4 Improved livestock management through fodder supplementation and production awa

rangeland management practices

1.3.4.1Fodder supplementation farmer level experiments undertaken for a minimum of 11

participants with monitoring of growth, yield and animal condition scoring

a.Planning for fodder supplementation trials across 5 CRA learning groups.

Participants outline their trials, are provided with layout and logistical support and

start planting.Round 1

b.Monitoring of 11fodder trials, planning for winter fodder supplementation.

Planning for fodder supplementation. Round 1

c.Planning for fodder supplementation trialsacross5 CRA learning groups.

Participants outline their trials, are provided with layout and logistical support and

start planting.Round 2

d.Monitoringof 11fodder trials, planning for winter fodder supplementation.

Planning for fodder supplementation. Round 2

1.3.5 Improved access to water at household level for both consumption and farming through

community owned water provision projects.

1.3.5.1 Water committees and external service providers plan and implement a local water supply

scheme through protection of at least 1 spring and reticulation to ~20 households

a.Meetings with water committees, walkabouts and local surveys, engineering

support for layouts and scenarios, planning for local water provision options,

implementation initiated.

b.Local water provision implementation completed. Meetings with water

committees re maintenance, operations and conflict resolution

1.3.6 Improved governance and water stewardship in the communal tenure areas of the upper

uThukela through multiple stakeholder engagement activities with the CRA learning groups.

1.3.6.1 CRA learning groups undertake meetings for planning, analysis and review and also undertake

cluster meetings to jointly explore and share information and options. They participate in multistakeholder

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

level activities and liaise and negotiate with relevant role players such as the uThukela District Municipality,

councillors, and Traditional Authorities

a.Review and planning meetings held with a min of 2 CRA learning groups, Cluster

meetings held around specific thematic issues. 2 Workshops to discuss water and

resource stewardship and management. Attendance of 1-2 multistakeholder events

Reporting period

July-December 2022

Significant approved

changes

Beneficiary numbers for CA changed from 250 to 110, with concomitant reduction in hectares to

15,8 ha.25 Fodder supplementation trials reduced to 11.

Changes in capacity

to deliver outcomes

None

1PROGRESS PER OBJECTIVE AND OUTCOME

Table 1: Progress against specific outcomes and activities for the period July- 1 December 2022

Outcome

Activities

Progress (Milestone 7)

CA with VWB for

reduced runoff and water

productivity

Development of CA farmer

level trials for a minimum 25

participants with

measurementof run-off,

rainfall, bulk density,

evapotranspiration and water

productivity for around 8-12

participants.

ü25 CMT’s across 6 villages planned and laid out

üRunoff pans installedfor 8 participants (3 per participant)

üRunoff and rainfall monitoring forms developed, and interim

results compiled

üSoil samples taken for 22 CA trial participants (17 CMTs and 5

other participants)

Inclusion of a range of

options forcropping different

varieties of maize, legumes

and cover crops.

Measurementof cropping

areas, crop growth and yield

for a minimum of 75

participants

üCA trails set up for 110 participants across 5 villages

üInitial database for farmers developed and being populated

Fodder supplementation

farmer level experiments

undertaken fora minimum of

11 participants with

monitoring of growth, yield

and animal condition scoring

üFodder supplementation trials planned for 11 participants

Improved access to

water at household level

for both consumption

and farming through

community owned water

provision projects.

Water committees and

external service providers

plan and implement a local

water supply scheme through

protection of atleast 1 spring

and reticulation to ~20

households

üVimbukhalo planning for renovation of borehole,expansion of

households to 35

üNegotiation with SAPPI for protection of spring on their land to

top part of Vimbukhalo (10 households)

üBorehole test and scenario development

üEzibomvini meetings to review spring protection and plan for

further action- scenario development(15 households)

Improved governance

and water stewardship in

the communal tenure

areas of the upper

uThukela through

multiple stakeholder

engagement activities

with the CRA learning

groups

CRA learning groups

undertake meetings and

stakeholder engagement

üReview and planning sessions held with 4 CA learning groups

(Stulwane, Ezibomvini, Eqeleni and Vimbukhalo) (75

participants)

üVimbukhalo:Meetings with councillor and SAPPI

üCommunity representatives attend uThukhela water source

partnership workshops 29thSeptember and10thNovember

2022(Vimbukhalo, Stulwane)

üUKZN:Thematic workshops in Stulwane and Ezibomvini:

Weather variability, mapping, veld assessments (30 September

and 14 October 2022)

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

Collaboratively,managed,trials,(CMTs),

The farmer level collaboratively managed CA trials have been set up for 25 participants across 6 villages. Each trial is

1000m2in extent with 10 plots of 100m2each. The layout is the same for all 25 farmers and is shown below

The layout for these trials is shown below:

-M-Maize (PAN53 or PAN6479)

-SSM- Short season maize (PAN5A190 or PAN5A172)

-B-Beans (PAN9292 or Gadra)

-SCC- Summer cover crops (Sun hemp and fodder sorghum and sunflower)

-CP- Cowpea ( Betshuana white)

-Pk- Pumpkin (Queensland blue or Flat white boer)

-WCC (Fodder rye and fodder radish and Saia oats)

BLOCKS (10x10m)x 10 plots

1 M

2 M+B

3 SCC

4 M

5 M+B

10 M+CP/Pk

SCC

8 M+B

7 M

6 SCC

Strips(2mx50m) x10 strips

1 M

2 M+B

3 SCC

4 M

5 M+B

6 SCC

7 M

8 M+B

9 SCC

10 M+CP/Pk

Fodder Strips(2mx50m) x 8

strips

Short season maize

PAN5A190=yellow

PAN5A172=white

SSM

B/WCC relay

SSM

Lespedeza

SSM

Tall Fescue

SSM

B/WCC relay

NOTES: Fodder strips are to be planted in late January 2023.

For the CMT’s the following inputs are provided: 12kg of MAP and LAN respectively, seed for maize beans and cover crops,

herbicide for pre-plant spraying and Kemprin for controlof cutworm and stalk borer. Lime is supplied to a selection of

participants who still have acidity issues in their fields. All CMT’s and control plots are planted by the farmers themselvesusing

planting equipment shared by the learning group. Tractors for planting ofstrips as well as ploughing in of lime for remedial

plots have been arranged through the Okahlamba Local Municipality and the KZNDARD.

Each participant also undertakes to plant a 1000m2CA control plot –which is planted to a monocrop of maize, using their own

seed and fertilizer.

All planting of CMTs was started on 15 November and will continue through to around the 7thof December.

The table below outlines the CMT participants with associated activities such as runoff pansand rain gauges(8

participants), soil sampling(25 participants), lime application(7 participants), specific trials in stover retention (3 participants)

and remediation of plots (3 participants). The latter is for participants who have practices CA for a minimum of 3 years, but

due to poor soil conditions have made little progress.

Table 2: CMTs outlined for 25 participants: November 2022

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

CMTs

Runoff pans

Soil

samples

taken

Soil sample

results

available

Fodder

supplementation

Lime

Ezimbovini

Phumelele Hlongwane

3 (M, M+B, Crtl)

Landiwe Dlamini

Zodwa Zikode

3 (M, M+B, Ctrl)

Nombono Dladla

Mantombi Mabizela

Cabangani Hlongwane

Vimbukhalo

Sbongile Mpulo

3 (M, M+B, Ctrl)

Zweni Ndaba

3 (M, M+B, Ctrl)

Bukisiwe Mpulo

Zibonele Sithole

Eqeleni

Thulani Dlamini

Ntombakhe Zikode

4,5t/ha (9bags)

Sthabiso Manyathi

3 (M, M+B, Ctrl)

Thulile Zikode

3 (M, M+B, Ctrl)

3-9t/ha (5bags)

Nah Khumalo

Stulwane

Nelisiwe Msele

3 (M, M+B, Ctrl)

0 – 3t/ha (4bags)

Dombi Ntshingila/Dlamini

Nothile Zondi

3 (M, M+B, Ctrl)

Thulani Dlamini (Danger)

1,5-6t/ha (4bags

Khulekani Dladla

0-4t/ha (8bags)

Nondomiso Zondi

Madakaneni

Xolile Gambu

4,5t/ha (9bags)

Nokuthula Mabaso

Emahlathini

Buyisiwe Sithebe

Buyisiwe Hlongwane

NOTES

8 Participants with runoff plots also each have a rain gauge installed

Fencing of trials for livestock exclusion and full stover retention (500m2)

Remedial trials: contour ploughing for lime inclusion, runoff control bunds, planting to cover

crops (sunflower, Sun hemp, sorghum, cowpeas, turnips) – also for fodder supplementation

(1000m2)

Soil samples results available from previous seasons (2014-2019) for a selection of

participants for comparison (Used to estimate Lime requirements, as present results aren’t

yet available)

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

VWB,for,reduced,runoff,and,water,productivity,

Runoff pans were installed for 8 participants, as shown in table 2 above. Installation of 3 pans per participant was done in a

Mazie only CA plot, ad Maize and bean intercropped CA plot and in the farmer’s control plot. Care is taken with installation

to ensure the pan is level and the runoff collection bucket is dug into the ground to a level below that of the pan. Each

participant also has a rain gauge installed and have bene provided with monitoring sheets to recordthe rainfall and runoff.

Figure 1: Above Left: Installing a rain gauge for Mr Manyathi in Eqeleni. Above centre: Ensuring the runoff pan is level and Above right: An

installed pan in a CA plot for Phumelele Hlongwane in Ezibomvini.

Rainfalland runoff measurements commenced in October2022. Below is a small table summarizing the runoff results to

date. As planting has not yet happened, this is the ‘basal’ runoff form each plot before cropping commences. This explains

why the runoffis similar for all three plots: control maize only and maize and bean plots…

Runoff summaries Oct-Nov 2022

Village

Name

Month

Rainall

(mm)

Runoff (L);

Control

Runoff (L);

M+B

Runoff (L);

Eqeleni

Sthabiso Manyathi

October

51,6

November

61,3

2,7

4,2

Thulisile Zikode

October

125

4,3

4,5

4,09

November

120

5,4

Eizbomvini

Zodwa Zikode

October

4,8

4,85

4,9

November

4,4

3,35

5,315

Phumelele Hlongwane

October

0,7

2,2

3,05

November

99,5

5,75

4,94

Stulwane

Nelisiwe Msele

October

4,69

3,955

November

173,2

6,2

6,94

1,25

Nothile Zondi

October

5,4

8,5

November

97,9

10,6

7,8

13,2

Vimbukhalo

Sibongile Mpulo

October

4,7

November

2,9

1,4

2,4

Zweni Ndaba

October

94,5

2,9

6,4

November

222

2,6

11,4

10,1

TOTAL (2months)

184,00

9,91

10,89

10,69

In addition, soil samples have been taken for 17 CMT participants and another 5 other CA participants (Buyisiwe Ndaba and

Sindisiwe Makhathini in Vimbukhalo, Cabangani Hlongwane in Ezibomvini, Mthokozisi and Thembi Hadebe in Ezinyonyana).

Sub-cores of the top 15cm for soil, taken in a zig-zag pattern across the field for a minimum of 15 sub-cores are combined to

represent a composite sample for each participant.

Thesewere submitted to CEADARA soil laboratories for analysison the 19thof September. Results have still not been

released. This has necessitated using generic averages for this planting season, as planting cannot be delayed any longer.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Figure 2: An intern, Nqobile Mbokazi, assisting MrKhulekani Dladla from

Stulwane with his soilsample.

A database, as per recommendation from Mr Luyanda Njanajala,

is being compiled for all participating farmers. The first draft of this

databaseis shown in Annexure 1. Collection of the information

and getting the GPS data for each of the 110 farmers involved in

the process is time consuming and ongoing.

Procurement and distribution of the inputs for the CA trials has

been done and the first demonstration planting of the trials

commenced on the 15thof November 2022.CRA learning group

participants work together in teams to do the planting. The sub-

plots of the triasl are marked out with pegs and string, herbicide is

applied and then basins opened for placing seed and fertilizer.

Some participants also use the MBLI hand planters- which

deposits the seed and fertilizer together.

Figure 3: Above left: Planting of a CA trial in Ezibomvini, showing the pegs

and string and participants opening the planting basins with hand hoes.

Above right: A participant using the MBLI hand planter.

Figure 4;Right; Two participants working together to place fertilizer (MAP,

using cooldrink bottle caps to provide the 4,2g of fertilizer par basin and maize

seed to each planting basin.

Planting will continue systematically until mid-December to complete

all 110 CA trial plots. The CA control plots are planted individually by

each participant, using their own inputs.

WATER ACCESS

Water,walks,and,scenario,development,for,Vimbukhalo,

The process consists of the following steps:

ØDiscussions with CRA learning group and water committee to ascertain the need and motivation for action,

followed by initial group walks to identify possible water sources

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

ØA more formal water walk with the engineer of the most promising options. Springs that are not perennial, or too

low down to be reticulated using gravity, or too far away from households, or where ownership is contested are

removed from the list of options.

ØThe engineer develops scenarios for the development of the source and potential yield and reticulation. These

options are discussed with the water committee and participants and final lists of potential participants are drawn

up. Here it is determined who will be part of the scheme. Some households will fall outside of the physical range of

the reticulation and different options need to be discussed with them. Some households will not want to join the

group and make the required payments or undertake the labour themselves.

ØThen, the work is outlined, and undertaken jointly between the group, the engineer and MDF’s field team

MDF initially engaged in thinking through water access options with the Vimbukhalo community in 2019-2020and a Water

Committee was formalized. At the time no assistance had been provided by the authorities since 1994. Water access was

through to small, localized schemes – a protected spring and a borehole provided by the Department of Agriculture and

SAPPI respectively. Most households collected, and still collect water form unprotected springs and small streams in the

community. The discussions were picked up again in August 2022 and the following changes were noted:

ØThe SAPPI borehole with header tank, providing water for around 22 households is no longer operational as the

pump stopped working

ØuThukela Water, with the councillor for the area intervened and protected one spring and provided a header tank

for that (on the steep slope away from the SAPPI plantations, which provides water for around 15 households)

ØuThukela Water also provided a solar powered borehole for the school in the village.

ØThe Water Committee set up before does not represent the whole of the community, but only the section where

uThukela water intervened and is made up of a number of members of the local ward committee.

Through discussions with community members, it has become clear that in Vimbukhalo there are a number of smaller

informal water committees that are locality based, rather than a structure that represents the whole community. This

complicates matters somewhat and provides for some competition and mistrust, but also allows for small locality -based

group initiatives, which enables greater involvement and commitment for those specific groups. It does however not help

with planning an overall patchwork of water access options that can benefit the whole community. The latter process has

been kept in mind in the water walks undertaken by MDF but cannot be tackled coherently at present.

The initial water walk in July 2022, with the CRA learning group members and their localised water committee focused on

the side of the community closest to the SAPPI plantation(east of the river). The walk showed that the SAPPI borehole,

pumpwith one 5000l JoJo header tank is presently not operational – as the electricity trips. The community requested

support first form SAPPI, who declined further support and then uThukela Water, who have not come to see the situation,

but suggested households collect R100 from all participants to a minimum of R1900 for a new pumpand also that they

could only intervene if the community handed over the ownership of this borehole to the municipality.

These participants have been using this scheme for 10 years successfully, paying R5 per household upon request to the

homestead where the electricity for the pump is connected. They mentioned that they used to pump every third day and that

people would come and collect water while pumping was ongoing during the dayand then later once the pump was

switched off and the tank had filled up. This system seems to have worked well for this whole period until a malfunction with

the electrics. There is evidence at the electricity box of trying to fix the connections and adding more insulation tape as

attempts to fix the problem. Presently the households have to walk to the river, between 500-1000m away to fetch water.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Figure 5: Above Left: the

header tank for the SAPPI

borehole. Centre: the pump

for the borehole and right: The

enclosure built for the pump

and electrical box.

A new borehole with solar pump has been installed at the school, further along the east side of the riverby uThukela Water

Figure 6: Above Left: Theborehole with solar panel at the school and Right: Looking towards the

school from the wetland below

There is also some old infrastructurein the wetland below the school, originally put in by the Department of Agriculture in the

mid 1980’s. A small cementheadertank with a tap slightly further down. The tank is still operational although it leaks, but

the tap is presently situated in the middle of the wetland is highly trampled by cattle.

Figure 7: The old,

protected spring

with leaking

header tank and

inaccessible tap.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

This walk was followed by more visits to local unprotected springs both within the villages and further away in the hills as

more options were mentioned over time by the participants.Most of these optionswere not considered as the springs are

small and far away from homesteads.A more formal walk with the engineer to survey the most promising options was

undertaken.

The report is added as an attachment: ‘WWF_Vimbukhalo borehole and spring engineering report_ AM_20220905’.

The main recommendations here were:

ØTo refurbish the old SAPPI borehole: Do a borehole yield test, remove and replace thepump, consider according

to strength and quality of water a reticulation plan that can include as many households as possible, and increase

header tank capacity. Installation of communal taps is to be considered.

ØTo explore options for protection and reticulation of the spring in the bordering SAPPI plantation. This spring is

higher up and can incorporate around 9-11 households that are situated above the borehole and are unable to

access that water (Spring 1 on map) and

ØCreate a better water collection option for the old- protected spring in the wetland close to the school.(Spring 3 on

map)

These scenarios, together with the maps were discussed with the Vimbukhalo community (21stSeptember 2022).It was

agreed there to commence with the yield testing of the borehole and to organise meetings with SAPPI to request assistance

with potential spring protection on their land.

In addition, the letter of borehole ownership, obtained through SAPPI and delivered by the councillor Mr Bonginkosi Dladla is

to be held safelyby the committee until this refurbishment is completed. At that point the committee will make a decision as

to whether they will ‘keep’ the ownership of the borehole with them or hand it over to the Municipality. Community members

are loathe to handover the ownership as they do not believe uThukela Water will assist them, regardless of this

requirement. They are however nervous of having to take full responsibility for the system – as they can easily handle day to

day management and maintenance, butcannotnecessarily manage large expenditures, such as pump breakdowns. These

issues will be further

discussed.

Figure 8: Right: The

Vimbukhalo water

committee participants

identifying all

households on the map

and Farright: The list of

participants in the

scheme identified.

From this workshop

there were 56

householdsproposed

to be involved in the

borehole scheme who

could gain access,

depending on the final

results for the

borehole yield test. In

addition, 8 households

were identified who

could benefit form

protecting the spring

on the SAPPI

plantation bordering

the community.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Figure 9: The map outlining the water sources in Vimbukhalo and the proposed scenarios for refurbishment of the borehole and development of a spring on SAPPI land bordering the community. The households

that can receive water fromthese developments are numbered and marked in blue and green respectively.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

This was followed by a committee meeting with SAPPI, on the 13thof October.

Figure 10: Meeting at the Vimbukhalo hall with representatives of the ward committee and water committee and SAPPI. Present were

Zaphesheya Luthuli(SAPPIRepresentative), Erna Kruger(MDF), Michael Malinga(MDF), Hlengiwe Hlongwane (MDF), Zibonele

Sithole(ward committee), Jerome Ndaba (SAPPI forum) and Mama Dlamini( SAPPI committee secretary)

Zapesheya Luthuli is the community representative for Vimbukhalo. She confirmed that SAPPi has a long history in

Vimbukhalo, often conflictual and that looking at a water source other than the borehole could be a move forward. She did

mention thaough that there may be difficulties in working with this spring as SAPPI is very protective of their land holdings

and want to limit movement of people on their propreties. iShe undertook to speak to the relevant plantation managers to

discuss this option and promised to convey a decision soon. The proposal has been shared with the Engineering and

Environment Unit of SAPPI, who have done a site visit. A decision cannot be made immediately as the proposal involves the

disturbance of land and water catchment area. Therefore consultation will be taking place in the last week of November

2022, will the other business units (legal, resources etc) in order to make an informed decision internally.

The work on the yield testing of the borehole was undertaken byGeocon Consulting and midlands Pumps and started in the

week of 27thof October. This entailed a few different processes including a step discharge test, a constant discharge test

and recovery monitoring, which took 3-4 days to complete. The community temporarily installed 2x 2500l JoJo tanks

alongside the present header tank to ensure the capture of as much of this water as possible to use in the interim.

Figure 11: Right: The piping from the borehole

yield testing is shown in the foreground. And

Far right: Community members levelled

platforms for the two extra JoJo tanks so that

water could be stored temporarily for the

community.

The technical report is attached

‘Vimbukhalo BH1 test pumping

report_Midlands Pumps_20221101’

The recovery of the water level for the

24hour recovery monitoring was poor and

was only 61%. The recommended available daily abstraction is6.40 kl/day within an 8hr pumping cycle, to allow enough

recharge for subsequent pumping. A resting period of a day or two between pumping cycles would be ideal. Water quality was

classified as ClassII, which is unfit for human consumption without treatment, due to higher than recommended levels of

fluoride, coliform bacteriaand general bacteria. It is recommended that another water source needs to be used by households

to alternate the use of this borehole water, as long-termuse of water with high levels of fluoride can harm recipients’teeth

through discoloration.The other treatment option is reverse osmosis. Coliforms bacteria can be easily treated through boiling

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

or adding of household Jik to the water.The consultant suggested a further quality test be undertaken to check if levels remain

high or whether it is an intermittent issue.

A new pump is to be installed that can pump the suggested 6,4kl in an 8- hour cycle. According to the consultants, consistent

use of this one borehole will not affect the basal flow of the underground water in this area negatively.

GOVERNANCE AND WATER STEWARDSHIP

CRA,learning,group,reviews,and,planning,

This concludes the requirement under 1.3.6.1a – Review and planning meetings with a minimum of 2 CRA learning groups.

Focus group sessions for review and planning were held with 5 CRA learning groups:

•Stulwane (2022/08/19)

•Ezibomvini (2022/08/17)

•Eqeleni (2022/08/18)

•Vimbukhalo (2022/08/16) and

•Emadakaneni/ Emahlathini(2022/08/30)

The guide for running the focus group sessions is presented in Annexure 2 below. This provides guiding questions for

discussions within the groups. The sections include general CA implementation, experimentation, marketing options and

farmer centres and planning for the coming season. Below summaries are provided for all five groups combined under these

headings.

CA-$General$implementation$

Most of the farmersare still very pleasedwith the CA practise. They testified that this kind of farming has increased their

yields and the quality of the produce. They have recognized that CA reduces soil erosion andimproves the quality of their

soilas they are protected from the sun and other elements. The farmers CAless tiring and easier than the normal cropping

practices.

For the 2021/22 planting season smallholders involved in CA experimentation and implementation did not receive any inputs

support, for their planting season. In past years, input for the CA trials have been provided initially at not cost and laterat

subsidised rates. This lack of support came at a time when inputs costs suddenly almost doubled and certain inputs became

very difficult to access, after the KZN social unrest. Farmers all managed to plant their CA plots, although most “skimped” on

herbicides and pesticides

CRA learning groups were very appreciative of assistance arranged through MDF for use of the Okahlamba LM tractors to

pull the two-row no till planters and assist farmers in planting both the CA trials and their control plots. The drivers however

have little experience in managing no till planters and caused a lot of damage to the planters by driving across the fields too

fast. In Stulwane the farmers have come together to pay a annual fee of R100 each for use of the planters as a

maintenance fund. This has worked very well, despite a few of the farmers reneging on the contributions.

The heavy rainfall towards the ned of the season – between January and April 2022 had devastating consequences in the

communities, through washing away of roads, and homes. Some participants’ fields also had a lot of run off damage –

although the CA fields performed well in comparison to their normal fields and those that were ploughed washed away

almost completely.

Most of the farmers practicing CA for more than 4 years managed to realize good yields for maize from their CA plots

despite the heavy rainfall. Bean harvests were almost completely decimated.

Livestock invasions in the unfenced fields was a big problem in almost all the villagesas the agreements to send cattle to

the mountains in summer to allow for cropping have not been adhered to by livestock owners- given the fast deteriorationof

veld condition. The latter is due to overgrazing and four years of heat and below average rainfall, then followed by

exceptionally high rainfall.

Participants felt that the one maize variety PAN53, an old generic hybrid coped the best with these new wet challenging

conditions, as the maize cobs mature closed and as a result suffered a lot less form water damage and rotting. Pan53

however takes a long time to mature and is thus more susceptible to diseases, of which there was a high incidence in this

season. Participants felt that the short season maize has a number of distinct benefits, in that it can be planted alter and

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

matures fast, despite the cobs being smaller than for the generic hybrids. They like the idea of planting different types of

maize that can accommodate a range of different conditions, as it is impossible to know exactly what will happen in a

season.

There was also the recognition that soils are slowly acidifying again after lime application 3-4 years ago and participants

asked for assistance in procurement of lime – mostly transport as they offered to pay for the lime itself.

Farmers also undertook to discuss their issues with the livestock committees in their villages and to impress upon the

livestock farmers that cropping is also an important activity in the area and needs to be respected.

They further suggested that those who are not yet members of village savings and loan associations should join, as these

groups assist a lot in having finances available for planting.

Some farmers stressed that the two row planters that are shared n the groups need to be looked after properly. If a farmer

doesn’t clean out the fertilizer after use, corrosion occurs and then the planter doesn’t work properly when the next

participant wants to use it. They then need to spend time on cleaning and maintaining the planter before using it.Mr O

Kubone, the KZNDARD extension officer joined in four of these planning sessions (Stulwane, Vimbukhalo, Eqeleni and

Ezibomvini as these groups are also setting up cooperatives under the auspices of the Department to be able to benefit from

support being offered.

Experimentation$

Close spacing;This practice is promoted n the CA trials to reduce the weeding load. It is however not well liked by farmers

despite reducing the need for weeding substantially, as it does cause heavy shading of the intercropped beans in high

rainfall seasonsand reduces the yield of the beans. Some farmers still believe it also reduces the yields in maize, despite

having been shown the results of the yields for a number of consecutive years- which shows the exact opposite.

Herbicide application: The heavy andcontinuous rainfall madetheeffective use of herbicides almost impossible. Roundup

for example needs around 10 days to create good dieback of the weeds and if it rains in between or 1-2 days after spraying

it is largely ineffective. It was also not possible to spray again as the rain thwarted these attempts as well. As a result, weeds

were a major challenge this season.There is a growing recognition among the farmers that herbicides can damage their

crops and specifically seeds for cover crops and legumes and reduce subsequent growth. They are more appreciative now

of the burn down herbicide options as compared to the systemic ones such as Roundup, as these do not have long lasting

effects on their crops and soil, despite being less effective.

Strip cropping vs the 10x10m blocks:Farmers prefers strip over plots,as the spacing there can more easily be ‘relaxed’

and they believe it increases the yield of their maize. There is also less pace taken up by paths between the plots. IN the

areas where both 10cx10’s and strips have been used for a number of years, farmers have recognised that they are very

similar, just a different way of laying out the plots

Cover crops: Most farmers did not harvest any seed from their cover cropsas it was eaten by birds before it even matured,

especially sunflowers. Sorghum matured later and thus farmers could harvest some here. They did feed the biomass ot their

goats and cattle

Maize only, vs maize and bean intercrops: Farmers say that the maize only plots have big cobs, and M+B maize is

smaller in size. Generally, there is not much agreement on the benefit of intercropping, as some farmers “swear’ by it as a

useful practice that improves yield of both maize and legumes and other believe the exact opposite.

Crop rotation: The plots that were previously planted cover crops give great yields when plantedto maize. Farmers say the

cover crops makes the soil fertile., helps to shade the soil and keep it health, improved the yield and health of the follow on

crop and provides some feed for their livestock. The difficulty comes in harvesting seed to be able to re plant the cover

crops.

Markets$and$farmer$centres$

The farmer centre in Ezibomvini is still very popular and well used buthas not been tried out effectively in the other villages.

The local marketing stalls set up first at the pension pay out points and later in Bergville town itself has worked very well.

Farmers make a little income every time they join these markets and can sell their field crops there as well. Mostly they are

planting for food security, and only selling of surplus if they have. They also sell informally to neighbours.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Planning$for$coming$season$

In all the villages farmers undertook to pay towards their inputs and pay a subsidised price for the CA trial inputs. They

requested access to the short season maize and also suggested that PAN53 may be a better option in really wet seasons,

when compared to the other varieties they have planted. Plans we put in place for payments and also for access to the

Okahlamba tractors, as these havebeen made available again for a two- week period in mid-November. Farmers undertook

to work closely with the tractor driversto ensure they do it properly this season.

There have been a number of relationships built and improved upon between government department officials, and the

learning groups. These include:

•Closer cooperation between the local councillor Mr Dladla and the communities, specifically in Vimbukhalo

•Closer cooperation with the KZNDARD extension officer Mr Kubone and 4 of the groups starting cooperatives

•A strong collaborative arrangement between the Marketing committees, MDF staff and uThukela Development

Agency, which is providing support to the marketing in a number of ways – facilitating setting up stalls in Bergville,

offering of transportation of produce to markets, joint marketing days at government events to advertise the work

of these groups and negotiations related to improved livestock auctions for these communities.

•A close relationship with the LED unit of the Okahlamba Local Municipality and the municipal manager Mr

Malinga.

The table below summarizes stakeholderinteractions for the period (July- December2022), which were attended by members

or representatives of the learning groups and MDF staff.

Table 12: Stakeholder interactions summary. July-December 2022

Activity

Description

Dates

uThukela Development Agency

Fresh produce marketing, 1stweek of every month

Oct-Dec 2022

SAPPI

Meeting with Vimbukhalo community representatives

13thOctober 2022

ESS research - WRC

UKZN research in ecosystem services mapping supported by

MDF: water walks, focus group discussions, planning, eco-

champs, spring protection work in Stulwane, thematic and

mapping workshops in Ezibomvini and Stulwane

23rdSeptember 2022

14thOctober 2022

WWF Water source forum

Stakeholder meetings, online and in person atOLM board

room Bergville

29thSeptember 2022

10thNovember 2022

SANBI- Living Catchment

Programme

Social facilitation workshop – Western Cape; M Malinga

Olifants’ water indaba: M Malinga, N Mbokazi, H Hlongwane

3rd-5thOctober 2022

30thOct-2ndNov 2022

UKZN and Adaptation Network

Ukulinga Howard Davis memorial symposium: Presentation

on CbCCA in Bergville: E Kruger T Mathebula, N Sibiya

12thOctober 2022

2GAPS AND CONSTRAINTS

Smallholder farmers in the area have sufferedfrom three large consecutive systemic shocks;COVI-19, social unrest and

increased prices due to sharp rises in fuel costs as a result of the Ukraine war. This has made it difficult for some of them to

continue to afford their field cropping inputs and activities. As a result, some of the control plots, which they undertake entirely

form their own budgets and effort, may be small this year than anticipated.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

In addition, early season rainfall has been quite low, leading to later planting. It has also meant that pre-spray of plots for weed

control could not be undertaken and is likely to lead to substantial weed competition in this season’s trials.

Roads in the area arestill very bad, aftersubstantial damage late in the rainy season of 2021-2022 and lack of subsequent

repairs. It means that sedans and smaller vehicles are unable to enter into the villages when it is wet, which has necessitated

the rental of an additional LDV.

Availability of some of the inputs such as maize seed and lime in the local towns of Bergville and Winterton has been limited.

This has necessitated multiple trips as well as brining some of the inputs from Pietermaritzburg.

The installation of a local weatherstation in the villages where work is being undertaken is lagging behind, as EFTEON is

taking time to work out its internal operational procedures. This will unfortunately mean relying again on the data from the

Cathedral Peak weather stations.

3COMMENT ON FINANCIAL REPORT

Table 3: Summary of expenditure on CRA activities: September-December 2022

Cost breakdown

Nov-22

Remainder (2022-

2023)

Budget (2022-2024)

Inputs for Conservation Agriculture

R115 809,38

R9 190,62

R250 000,00

Spring Protection

R75 995,34

R142 004,66

R218 000,00

Engineering fees

R44 180,71

R17 919,29

R96 447,00

R235 985,43

R169 114,57

R564 447,00

Total 2022-2023

R405 100,00

42%

From the above table the project team have thus far used R235 985,43 of the funding available for implementation of

activities, which is 58% of the budget available for 2022-2023. The reminder of the input costs for CA will be spent on the

fodder supplementation trials in January as well as laboratory costs for sampling and calculation of water productivity results

late in the season. The spring protection budget expenditure is on track as most of the procurement of equipment has been

done. Left to do is the actual implementation, which will consist of a large portion of sweat equity form the community.It is

likely that some of the budget will remain and thus the team is following up in Ezibomvini and Stulwane to potentially

intervene there as well, once the Vimbukhalo scheme is complete.

NOTES ON EXPENDITURE

Expenditure has been compiled up until the 23rdNovember 2022

1.A disbursement of R556500 was received on the 27thJuly 2022

2.A total of R524724 has been spent between August and 23 November 2022

3.The budget has been changed to reflect the 2year period forwhich funding has been provided, ratherthen the three-

yearprocess originally budgeted for.

4.Expenditure is on track, with a slight under expenditure thus far on capital assets (spring protection). and meetings

and a slight over expenditure on travel and subsistence.

Below is a summary of the Financial report.

4FINANCIAL REPORT

The financial report excel sheet is attached as a separate document: ”WWF-ZA06370C-Smallholder CRA and Water

Provision_MDF_ Financial reporting template_Milestone 3_20221123”Documentation for explaining full expenditure

summariesis available on request.

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

5TWO COPIES OF ANY PUBLICATIONS

Presentation of a paper: “Ukulinga symposium. CbCCA improved resilience in CnetralDrakensberg – E Kruger_incl

policy opints_20221014”

The presentation is attached to this report.

6SIGNIFICANT PLANNED ACTIONS FOR THE FINAL REPORT

Outcome

Activities

Planned actions(Milestone 8)

Livelihood

security at

household

level

1. Learning group

planningand seasonal

reviewsessions

üKZN: Ezibomvini, Stulwane, Vimbukhalo,Eqeleni.Madzikane,

GobizembeMayizekanye, Ozwathini, Spring Valley, Ngongonini,

Plainhill

üEC:Nkau,Rashule, Ned, Nkasele, Mechachaneng, Mngeni

2. Prioritized baskets of

appropriate practises

üWrite up of final results in terms of yield, growth, learning,

experimentation

üSection on challenges and successes with recommendations for

future actions

3. Learning and

implementation support

üWinter fodder supplementation progress report

üContinuation of gardening training and support in the EC

Social

agency for

LED and

social safety

nets

1. VSLAs, business

development, farmer

centres

ü26VSLA’s in KZN; monthly mentoringand progress with bulk loan

funds

üSummary of marketing strategies and approaches, income and

livelihood benefits for participants

2. PM&E system and

monitoring

üFinalization of resilience impact assessments(x3)and snapshots

(min 30)

3. Iterative PID approach

for improved adaptation

and innovation

üDiscussion and recommendations

Project number and Name:WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Mahlathini

Completed by:ErnaKruger

DescriptionTotal ProjectBudget

Current Year

budget

Previously

Reported

Actuals

Current Year

Actuals

Reporting PeriodMay 2022-April 2024May2022-April 2023

May 2022-

December

2022

(1Sept2022-20

A - OPENING BALANCER 0,00R 0,00R 0,00R 0,00R 0,00R 736 500,00R 0,00

Approved WWF IncomeR 1 285 000,00R 0,00R 0,00R 556500,00R 556 500,00-R556 500,00R 728 500,00

B -TOTALincome + o/balanceR 1 285 000,00R 0,00R 0,00R 556 500,00R 556 500,00R 180 000,00R 728 500,00

EXPENDITURE by code

1Staff costsR 432 000R 216 000R 0,00R 162 000,00R 162 000,00R 54 000,00R 270 000,00

2Third partyfeesR 96447R 48000R 0,00R 44 180,17R 44 180,17R 3 819,83R 52 266,83

3Travel andSubsistenceR 211 770R 109 350R 0,00R 105 645,29R 105 645,29R 3 704,71R 106 124,71

4CapitalAssetcostsR 218 000R 109 000R 0,00R 75 995,34R 75 995,34R 33 004,66R 142 004,66

5Operating expensesR 250 000R 125 000R 0,00R 115 809,38R 115 809,38R 9 190,62R 134 190,62

6Meetings /Education / TrainingR 20533R 10267R 0,00R 0,00R 0,00R 10 266,50R 20 532,50

ProjectPromotion/Communication/

Printing /Publication

R 56250R 28125R 0,00R 21 093,75R 21 093,75R 7 031,25R 35 156,25

C -TOTALEXPENDITURER 1 284 999,50R 645 741,50R 0,00R 524 723,93R 524 723,93R 121 017,57R 760 275,57

D – CLOSING BALANCER 1 284 999,50R 645 741,50R 760 275,57

ESTIMATES

Code

Total Actuals

to date

Total Current

Year Budget

minus Current

Year Actuals (D-

G = I)

ACTUALS

Total Project

Budgetminus

Total Actuals to

date (Variance)

C - H = J

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

8.LIST OF ANNEXURES

Complementary information, including photographs.

ANNEXURES:

Annexure 1: WWF-Farmers database_1stdraft

Annexure 2: CA reviews: Focus group and planning guide

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Area

Village

GPS_Coordinates

Name

Surname

Age

Gender

trial

size

sqm

Farming

practices

CA -

date

started

Field

cropping

(ha 's)

Gardening

(ha's)

Livestock

Soil

fertility

practices

Crops planted

Bold=CMTs Blue= fenced stover

trial Orange=remedial trial

Female

2. Male

Conventional

2. Transition

Agroecology

1. Cattle,

2. Goats,3.

Broilers, o,

4. Layers,

5.Trad

Poultry, 6.

Pigs,

(incl rough

area for ea

Vegetables

Bergville

Ezibomvini

28.51836 S, 29.23726 E

Phumelele

Hlongwane

1000

2014

0,45

0,025

Cattle (3),

layers(20),

broilers(20),

Pigs (2)

Maize, beans,

(0,1ha ea)

spinach, cabbage,

onions, beetroot,

Chinese cabbage

Bergville

Ezibomvini

28.863872 S, 29.392221 E

Landiwe

Dlamini

1000

2015

0,25

Maize, beans,

(0,1ha ea)

Bergville

Ezibomvini

28.8668863 S, 29. 3890554 E

Zodwa

Zikode

1000

2014

0,25

Maize, beans,

(0,1ha ea)

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Nombono

Dladla

1000

2016

0,4

Maize, beans,

(0,1ha ea)

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Mantombi

Mabizela

1000

2016

0,25

Maize, beans,

(0,1ha ea)

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Cabangani

Hlongwane

1000

2015

0,2

Maize, beans,

(0,1ha ea)

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Phumelele

Gumede

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Velephi

Zimba

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Dumazile

Dlalisa

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Thoko

Gumede

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Nonhlanhla

Zikode

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Balungile

Mkhwanazi

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Ntombenhle

Hlongwane

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Nonhlanhla

Dlamini

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Siyabonga

Hlongwane

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Lucky

Hlongwane

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Sayinile

Gumede

400

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Hlulekile

Ndlangisa

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Thuli

Madinane

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Ncamsile

Dlamini

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Sthabiso

Gumede

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Nomfundo

Jali

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Tozi

Zikode

400

Bergville

Ezibomvini

Thulani

Dlamini

350

Bergville

Eqeleni

Ntombakhe

Zikode

1000

0,6

Bergville

Eqeleni

28.8761880 S, 29. 3657064 E

Sthabiso

Manyathi

1000

2013

0,45

Bergville

Eqeleni

Thulile

Zikode

1000

0,45

Bergville

Eqeleni

28.8755776 S, 29. 3654576 E

Nah

Khumalo

1000

2013

0,2

Bergville

Eqeleni

Lungile

Dladla

1000

0,2

Bergville

Eqeleni

Nomavila

Ndaba

1000

2015

Bergville

Eqeleni

Tholwephi

Mabaso

1000

Bergville

Eqeleni

28.8689927 S, 29. 3732873 E

Nomusa

Hlongwane

1000

2013

Bergville

Eqeleni

Balungile

Sishi

400

2016

Bergville

Eqeleni

Simephi

Nkosi

1000

Bergville

Eqeleni

Sizeni

Dlamini

1000

Bergville

Eqeleni

28. 8770681 S, 29.3553749 E

Cashephi

Khumalo

1000

2014

Bergville

Eqeleni

Buzeleni

Mdluli

1000

Bergville

Eqeleni

Makhosonke

Mabizela

400

Bergville

Eqeleni

Nelisiwe

Msele

1000

2017

Bergville

Stulwane

28.910886 S, 29. 376000 E

Dombi

Dlamini

1000

2014

Bergville

Stulwane

Nothile

Zondi

1000

2016

Bergville

Stulwane

28.922746 S, 29.367281 E

Thulani (Danger)

Dlamini

1000

2015

Bergville

Stulwane

28.860359 S, 29.355345 E

Khulekani

Dladla

1000

2013

Bergville

Stulwane

28.926753 S, 29.372192 E

Nondomiso

Zondi

1000

2013

Bergville

Stulwane

Hluphizwe

Zondo

1000

Bergville

Stulwane

Bangeni

Dlamini

400

2016

Bergville

Stulwane

28.912699 S, 29.365943 E

Nokwaliwa

Hlongwane

1000

2014

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Bergville

Stulwane

Slindile

Mpinga

1000

2014

Bergville

Stulwane

Tombi

Dlamini

400

Bergville

Stulwane

Ntombifuthi

Mkhize

1000

Bergville

Stulwane

Eunice

Mkhize

1000

Bergville

Stulwane

Nokulunga

Dubazane

1000

Bergville

Stulwane

Kholiwe

Dlamini

1000

Bergville

Stulwane

Thabisile

Buthelezi

400

Bergville

Stulwane

Boniswa

Hlongwane

400

Bergville

Stulwane

Matolozana

Gumbi

400

Bergville

Stulwane

Ncamizile

Zikode

400

Bergville

Stulwane

Zenande

Dlamini

400

Bergville

Stulwane

Winile

Mabaso

400

Bergville

Stulwane

Makhethi

Dladla

400

Bergville

Stulwane

28.920462 S, 29.368973 E

Fikelephi

Zuma

1000

2013

Bergville

Stulwane

Dombolo

Buthelezi

1000

Bergville

Stulwane

Thembi

Mpinga

1000

Bergville

Stulwane

Sbongile

Mpulo

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

28.877707 S, 29.412653 E

Zweni

Ndaba

1000

2014

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Bukisiwe

Mpulo

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Zibonele

Sithole

1000

2016

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

28.52159 S, 29.24837 E

Balindile

Makhathini

1000

2014

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Bangizwe

Ndlovu

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Bangeni

Ndaba

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Dubeleni

Gumede

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Buyisile

Ndaba

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Zandile

Mchunu

1000

2016

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Sindisiwe

Makhathini

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Thakasile

Ndaba

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Sulubha

Mkhwanazi

1000

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Jerome

Ndaba

1000

2016

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Sizani

Ndaba

400

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Shongani

Gumede

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Ntombi

Zimba

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Zandile

Zimba

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Lindiwe

Zimba

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Khosi

Hlongwane

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Shoti

Mazibuko

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Thoko

Mpulo

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Mtobho

Dlodlo

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Pawlose

Nyoka

400

2016

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Tshithana

Ndaba

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Khethiwe

Ndaba

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Phumelele

Shabalala

400

Bergville

Vimbukhalo

Xolile

Gambu

400

Bergville

Madakaneni

Nokuthula

Mabaso

1000

Bergville

Madakaneni

Dumazile

Hlongwane

1000

Bergville

Madakaneni

Yengiwe

Mthembu

1000

Bergville

Madakaneni

Phumzile

Zondo

1000

Bergville

Madakaneni

Sbongile

Zikode

1000

Bergville

Madakaneni

Xolile

Zikode

1000

Bergville

Madakaneni

Mbhijo

Dladla

1000

Bergville

Madakaneni

Phumelele

Dladla

400

Bergville

Madakaneni

Fikile

Hadebe

400

Bergville

Madakaneni

Phetheni

Dladla

400

Bergville

Madakaneni

Nokuthula

Mabaso

400

Bergville

Madakaneni

Kwanele

Nxumalo

400

Bergville

Madakaneni

Sarafina

Hlongwane

400

Bergville

Madakaneni

Buyisiwe

Sithebe

400

Bergville

eMahlathini

Buyisiwe

Hlongwane

1000

2017

Bergville

eMahlathini

Makhumalo

Sibisi

1000

Bergville

Ezinyonyane

Mbukeni

Hadebe

1000

Bergville

Ezinyonyane

Mashelembe

400

Bergville

Ezinyonyane

Monica

Phakathi

400

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

Bergville

Ezinyonyane

Mama

Mvula

400

Bergville

Ezinyonyane

Mthokozisi

Shange

400

Bergville

Ezinyonyane

400

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

ANNEXURE 2:CAREVIEWS:FOCUS GROUP PLANNING GUIDE

SECTION A: GENERAL CA

1.What have been the highlights of the past season?

2.What are some of the issues or problems of the past season?

3.What are the possible solutions to challenges faced?

SECTION B: CA EXPERIMENTATION

1.What are the observed differences between CA and normal planting practices? (include for example soil fertility,

soil health, compaction, run-off, water holding, pest and diseases, yields)

2.What were the observed yields? Can you explain why they were either good/bad (maize, legumes and cover crops

3.Explain outcomes of use of herbicides – describe how these were used and what the outcomes were? How much

hand weeding was required? What could work better?

4.Explain the outcomes of the close planting in CA experiments vs normal planting spacing.

5.Explain use of CA planters (MBLI, animal drawn, 2 row). How did the arrangements work? Explain why CA

planters used or not..

6.What are the observed differences between the 10x10s and strip cropping?

7.What are the observed outcomes of planting cover crops? Explain which ones have been planted, how and how

they have been used?

8.What are the observed outcomes of the mixed cropping (M+B and M+CP) when comparing to single planting of

9.What are the observed outcomes of crop rotation?

10.What are the observed outcomes of planting perennial fodder species. Explain which were planted, how and how

it worked.

11.What were the observed differences between the normal maize planted (OPVs and hybrids) and the short season

(early) maize planted?

12.What are observed outcomes of fungal infection of cobs andpotential mycotoxins?

SECTION C: INPUT COSTS AND SAVINGS GROUPS

Inputs

1.How will you plan to buy your own inputs without input subsidy assistance?

2.How much can the savings group assist? What size loans ore share outs are to be used for cropping?

3.Is bulk buying for the learning group an option? How can you arrange this? (lists, collection of monies etc…)

SECTION D: MARKET OPTIONS & FARMERS CENTRE

1.Can you give an indication of marketing options and how well this has gone?

2.Can you give a rough estimate of monies made from field crops in this season.

3.% of group who has been eating only and eating and selling…

WWF_184-ZA063760C – Water stewardship Milestone 3 | Erna Kruger

SECTION E: PLANNING FOR THE COMING SEASON

Discuss options for the coming season, what each person wants ot plant and how. Also, with the understanding that inputs

can not be provided. Support can be given for new crops and varieties (e.g. short season maize) and also for planting of

cover crops and fodder species.

Decided about planting of 10x10s and strips and which crops to be tried.

Area:

Village:

Name and surname

Plot type:

10x10 and/or strips

Plot size (400/1000)

SS maize (yeelow/ white)

SCC

WCC

Cowpea

Pumpkin

Jugo beans

turnips

Lespedeza

Pensacola

Other