Date: 27th – 29th February 2024
Location: Bela-Bela, Limpopo
Organisers: Seriţi Institute
Participants: 26 small-scale farmers from Limpopo and surrounding areas, with support from the Adaptation Network and co-funding from City Foundation
Activities:
Over the course of three days, small-scale farmers participated in a range of hands-on activities focused on sustainable farming, climate-smart agriculture, and agroecology. The event featured expert-led workshops, group exercises, site visits to local farms, and practical demonstrations. Key themes included agroecology, environmental stewardship, sustainable farming techniques, and climate change adaptation. Participants learned from one another’s experiences and were introduced to new farming techniques that are both environmentally and economically sustainable.
Outcomes:
The event facilitated rich knowledge-sharing among farmers, fostering a stronger sense of community and collaboration. It contributed to enhancing farmers’ capacity to adapt to environmental challenges and improve their agricultural practices. Through practical demonstrations, including agro-processing and regenerative agriculture, farmers gained valuable insights into sustainable land management and market engagement strategies. Over 80% of attendees reported being highly satisfied with the experience, highlighting the success of the initiative in empowering local farmers.
Key Highlights:
- Agroecology Advocacy: Dr Stephen Greenberg’s presentation on agroecology emphasized resource management and ecological farming principles, which sparked interest and shifted perspectives on sustainable farming.
- Climate-Smart Solutions: Farmers proposed solutions like mulching, rainwater harvesting, and using greenhouses to adapt to climate change.
- Site Visits: Participants had the opportunity to visit diverse agricultural operations, including the Multi-functional Agri-node and local compost producers, gaining insights into small-scale agro-businesses.
- Networking and Knowledge Sharing: Farmers not only learned from experts but also from each other, fostering collaborative learning and the exchange of farming techniques that can be applied in their own communities.
