Purpose
Increase household food security by integrating climate-smart agriculture, affordable sustainable water management, and youth-led gardens into homestead food production.
Climate Impacts
The following impacts were reported by community members in Matatiele:
• Decreased soil quality
• Loss of crop yields due to decreased water availability and an increase in pests
• Increased reliance on markets due to agricultural declines
• Decrease in livestock health due to diseases, pests, and lack of pasture
Activities
Method selection
Locally successful climate-smart farming methods were selected and catered to the unique environmental conditions and challenges of the region. Workshops were also held to introduce farmers and community members to suitable low-input techniques, including composting, mulching, water management, mixed-crop planting, natural pest control, seedling production, traditional seeds, and protection measures.
Site selection
Three core sites for the improved gardening have been selected as “demonstration hubs,” in addition to six smaller sites which will be youth-led. The three core sites are two large homestead gardens and one large school garden. The six smaller sites will be located in nearby villages and led by youths in the community, deemed “Ecochamps.”
Soil assessment
Different components of the soil at each site were evaluated to best determine what seeds the sites could support. This entailed evaluating the soil’s vegetation cover and cropping history, potential rooting depth, erosion status, nutrient density, texture, and drainage capacity.
Hub construction
Necessary infrastructure for each site was developed, including composting corners, mulch collection areas, seed beds and planting zones, and rainwater harvesting systems. The soil was also prepared in this stage by composting and mulching. The six smaller Ecochamp gardens were constructed similarly but on a smaller scale.
Seed selection
A local seed exchange was undertaken among project participants, which was supplemented by additional seeds. Seeds were then planted in the prepared beds at each site.
Learning exchanges
Two local in-field learning exchange events were hosted to facilitate the sharing of best practices and feedback among project participants, community members, Ecochamps, and Department of Agriculture staff. These events provided a space to also gather data and insights for future climate-smart agriculture projects.
project outcomes
project design
Climate change's unpredictable weather is disrupting agriculture in regions like Matietele, South Africa, where traditional farming is crucial for livelihoods and food security. Unstable rainfall, extreme weather, and temperature shifts make planting and harvesting difficult, leading to lower yields and reduced food availability. This decline causes economic instability and drives communities away from farming, risking the loss of traditional agricultural knowledge and worsening food production challenges. To combat food and income shortages caused by climate-driven agricultural losses, a local NGO called Environmental & Rural Solutions (ERS) created nine climate-smart gardens to enhance resilience to crop losses and incentivize investment in homestead food production.
Six of the nine gardens are led by youths called “Ecochamps” and are located in the youths’ nearby villages, encouraging their sustained engagement in local agriculture. The other three gardens—located in two community areas and one school—are bigger, and each site was selected for its potential to serve as a focal point and learning space for over 100 direct participants. These three “hubs” serve as educational centers for enhancing agricultural productivity among neighboring farmers and educators. The aim of these climate-smart gardens is to improve soil quality and moisture retention through methods like composting, mulching, rainfall harvesting, and cover cropping, boosting the soil's water-holding capacity and resilience to drought, floods, cold, and erosion. These practices enhance agricultural stability, ensuring crops can thrive across diverse environmental conditions, leading to consistent food production and availability. Community members are also engaged through practical demonstrations and peer learning, with an emphasis on reduced pesticide use, aiming to restore healthy soil practices. Additionally, seed management and smart harvesting techniques are implemented to increase yields and reduce losses from pests and decay.
Photo credits: ERS
