Siyazisiza Trust - Eastern Cape

The non-profit social development organisation, Siyazisiza, in partnership with Woolworths, has initiated the Amadiba Agroecology Programme that aims to create self-sufficient agricultural hubs or village-based farmer networks for smallholder community farmers to improve their livelihoods, strengthen food security and protect the environment. The focus of the Programme is on the youth. 

The objective of the Amadiba Agroecology Programme is to “promote greater food security in the Eastern Cape rural villages of Sigidi, Mdatya, Mtolani, Bhekela, Gobodweni, Mpindweni and Nyavini through promoting and supporting the emergence of an accessible, viable and sustainable localised food-system in which local youth play a key role in the production and distribution of food”.

The core activities of the Programme include: 

  • Training and mentoring in sustainable agricultural production, marketing and distribution 
  • Organisation of Village Farmer Forums to support a more coordinated and collective approach to plant production and improved aggregation of inputs and harvests
  • Formalisation of supply agreements with local spaza shops, street food vendors, bakkie traders, and other informal food traders within the villages
  • Engagement with retailers in the Port Edward and Bizana and local tourism lodges and cottages for the supply of locally and organically grown fresh produce
  • Introduction of cashless pay-points across the local food system to encourage local spend and to allow for the increased utilisation of SASSA and other bank cards 

The achievements of the Amadiba Agroecology Programme are: 

  • 120 small-scale farmers from six villages received training in sustainable agriculture production. The training session was opened to other members of the forum, resulting in the participation of 254 farmers in all. 
  • 30 selected young farmers received off-site training at the Zululand Agri-Support Centre. The topics covered in the training included different farming practices, systems and value-add opportunities
  • According to midline impact surveys conducted by Siyazisiza, several positive impacts have emerged: 
  1. The young farmers have increased their production of crops in the last six months, increasing the average garden size from 0,84 ha at baseline to 1,05 ha.
  2. The total produce sales have risen by almost 50% from baseline, empowering 28 out of 30 farmers as they generate an income through the sales of their produce. 
  3. Despite the majority of the youth depending on social grants as a source of income, an additional eight farmers have indicated farming as their primary means of livelihood. 
  4. The average monthly Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) of the 30 young farmers has increased from 9 to 12.5 over the last few months.
  • The establishment and evolution of a WhatsApp mentoring and support group for the young farmers facilitates regular knowledge transfer, learning and sharing progress of their harvests. This truly encompasses the value of creating a network that can uplift, develop skills and create a culture of self-sufficiency. 
  • With expert training and skills development by Siyazisiza, the young farmers do not use fertilisers, chemicals or GMOs in their produce. 

It was Nelson Mandela who said, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” We congratulate Siyazisiza on their endeavours to empower and support the youth and create enterprising agro entrepreneurs for the future and prosperity of South Africa.