University of the Western Cape begins partnership with and advises emerging farmers on climate resilience in Limpopo
South Africa is very familiar with water scarcity – something that will probably remain a challenge in the foreseeable future.
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is involved as a partner in addressing the issue via the Giyani Local Scale Climate Resilience Programme in the north-eastern part of Limpopo Province.
Professor Nebo Jovanovic
UWC Earth Sciences Associate Professor Nebo Jovanovic said it is a community-advised and led programme demonstrating climate-adaptive responses and solutions for improved water utilisation in the Giyani Municipal area.
The programme is a partnership funded by the Government of Flanders, led by the Water Research Commission. Other partners include Tsogang Water and Sanitation and the Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD).
Together, they are currently hosting a three-day WRC Knowledge Transfer Products Expo from 28 February to 2 March in Limpopo with the aim of demonstrating water-wise technologies able to improve emerging farmers’ resilience to climate change and increase agricultural production.
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“The Expo will offer training and demonstrations for the emerging farmers and local entrepreneurs on climate smart technologies. It is an opportunity to engage with stakeholders and innovators in technical discussions.
“This will also bring exposure to innovative farming practices, new farming opportunities and irrigation management for the small-scale farmers in Giyani. Moreover, on the last day of the Expo small- to medium-enterprises and the small-scale farmers will be given an opportunity to showcase their business products at a pop-up market setup,” said Prof Jovanovic.
The event takes place at the Mopani Farmers Association Distribution and Packhouse Centre, Ndhambi village (Dzumeri Tribal).
The Expo is one of the learning events the programme is hosting for learning to take place amongst local farmers, entrepreneurs and innovators on climate smart innovations and technologies which use less water without compromising production.
The Expo is about creating a platform for emerging farmers to share knowledge, to interact and network, and also for emerging farmers and other entrepreneurs to showcase their products, and of course, to raise the profile of GLSCRP in Giyani specifically, and broadly in Mopani District Municipality.
The Expo will take place at Mopani Farmers Association Distribution and Packhouse Centre, Ndhambi village (Dzumeri Tribal).
It is themed according to the GLSCRP work packages, which are water and energy, agriculture, and local economic development. The first two days are dedicated to the interactions between innovators and the programme’s selected local farmers, whereby demonstrations on how to use some of the technologies and innovations will take place.
The first day will be led by speeches from the CEO of WRC, with the MMC for Water Services in Mopani DM thereafter. Demonstrations will commence for the rest of the day. On day two the MMC for Agriculture will address the gathering, before demonstrations continue for the rest of the morning.
The afternoon programme will include a site visit where practical demonstrations of one or more of the innovations will be carried out at Matsambo Ngamba Cooperative farm.
Day three involves a pop-up-market where the event will be open to the public to come participate. The farmers and entrepreneurs will be afforded an opportunity to display their produce and products for the community to buy, all in a friendly, vibrant atmosphere resembling a flea market set-up. This will be an opportunity for the farmers to interact and network amongst themselves and receive feedback from their customers on their products and produce.
The public is invited to enjoy a market atmosphere and purchase the products on display.