Agro-ecology farming implemented in Mopani
The South African Food Lab (SAFL) and Mopani Farmers Association hosted a two day Agro-ecological farming workshop in Giyani last Wednesday.
The first day of the workshop focused on theory of the subject and the second day focused on the practicals which took place in Dzumeri at Patrick Sekhula’s farm.
“Agro-ecological farming, is farming which does not use chemicals, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and hybrids but uses natural resources to make compost as a fertilizer for great results,”said Agro-ecology farming trainer, Constance Mbodi.
Mbodi is one of the seven trainers who recently came back from a three months training program on the farming method in Johannesburg at 17 Shaft.
The main aim of the workshop was to introduce the farming method to farmers around the Mopani district.
The trainers were trained by Alan Rosenberg, a specialist in organic farming and the program was paid for by SAFL.” We highly recommend this method of farming as it is the cheapest, healthiest and is good for the Mopani climate as it requires less water, as our region has water challenges,”said Adam Mabunda, Mopani Farmers Association, public relations officer.
Scott Drimie, from the food lab explained that the farming method solves climate issues, water crisis and malnutrition problems.
“As a department we support agro-ecological farming in every possible way, we see the initiative as a good thing,”said Daniel Baloyi from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
