The Siyazama Community Garden in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, in the Western Cape is an example of how the private sector can use agriculture to uplift communities.
The garden was started in 1997 by approximately 30 community members when they were given access to small patches of underutilised land on municipal properties, according to Siyazama farmer Nokwanda Nkqayi.
“Initially, the members produced vegetables only for their own consumption,” she recalls.
This has changed, thanks to Agriplanner, a hands-on agricultural entrepreneurship programme run by Coronation Fund Managers and the South African Institute of Entrepreneurship. The programme has provided entrepreneurial training such as farm enterprise planning, money management, co-operative management, dealing with markets, recordkeeping, and crop management.
Coronation’s support of the initiative started in 2004, when it provided seed funding to the Siyazama farmers through its Growing Entrepreneurs Programme. Today, the five women who took part in the programme run the Siyazama Community Food Garden, a fully organic, 1ha operation.
Agriplanner taught them new skills and turned them from struggling subsistence farmers into semi-commercial farmers.
“Working in the garden empowered me because I was previously unemployed, and now I have a variety of skills and a steady income. I was also able to send my kids to school,” says Nkqayi.
ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES
Siyazama’s farmers grow a variety of vegetables and herbs, including kale, cabbage, leeks, spring onions, spinach, brinjal and rosemary.
They have even begun experimenting with exotic vegetables such as okra and asparagus.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 20,2020-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 20,2020-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.