[2]

Contents

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 3

1.2 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Expectations ................................................................................................................................ 3

2. Background and Participant Profile ................................................................................................ 4

2.1 MIDI’s Event Following ............................................................................................................. 4

2.2 Organisation/ Individual Involvement in Food Value Chain ...................................................... 4

2.3 Type of Participants (based on introductions) ............................................................................ 5

2.4 Presenter Organisation Profile .................................................................................................... 5

3. Discussions ..................................................................................................................................... 7

3.1 Activity 1: Walkabout ................................................................................................................. 7

3.2 Activity 2: Group discussions ..................................................................................................... 8

3.2.1 What we love about PMB/Which strengths can be improved upon to move urban agriculture

forward in PMB?..................................................................................................................................... 8

3.2.1.1 What we love about PMB? ..................................................................................................... 8

3.2.1.2 Which strengths can be improved upon to move urban agriculture forward in PMB? ........... 8

3.2.2 Paradox of the ages ................................................................................................................. 9

3.2.3 Cost of living/ what will you do without food? ...................................................................... 9

3.3 Activity 3: Free writing exercise ............................................................................................... 10

3.4 Activity 4: What will I do? What can the Collective do? ......................................................... 10

4. Way Forward/Closure ................................................................................................................... 11

5. Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 11

5.1 Presenter Invite ......................................................................................................................... 11

5.2 Participant Invite ....................................................................................................................... 12

5.3 Programme ................................................................................................................................ 13

5.4 List of Participating Organisations ........................................................................................... 14

5.5 MIDI Presentation ..................................................................................................................... 15

[3]

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

World population is projected to increase from 6.7 to 9.2 billion between 2007 and 2050, with most of

the growth occurring in less developed countries (United Nations, 2010). The majority of most of this

demographic increase will be in urban cities. Urbanisation per se is a form of positive development, as

urban areas tend to be more productive than rural areas, and therefore a driver of economic growth

and development. However rapid urbanisation as it is currently occurring in developing regions such

as Asia and Africa can outstretch the capacities of urban areas to absorb and cater for the ever

growing number of inhabitants (Ravillion, 2007).

With urbanisation, the transfer of rural poverty to urban areas is rising globally. Many of the problems

of urban poverty are rooted in a complexity of resource and capacity constraints, inadequate

government policies at both the central and local level, and a lack of planning for urban growth and

management. Given the high growth projections for most cities in developing countries, the

challenges of urban poverty and more broadly of city management will only worsen in many places if

not addressed more aggressively.

Over the past couple of decades, Urban Agriculture has increasingly gained recognition as a viable

intervention strategy for the urban poor to earn extra income. It also allows the poor to reduce their

reliance on cash income for food by growing their own food in the city, thus increasing access to

much needed food. South Africa is an increasingly urbanised country and agriculture continues to

play a major role in addressing food insecurity and poverty. This Urban Agriculture workshop aims to

explore different models in urban agriculture as a new approach to food production and access that

includes agricultural, processing, marketing, transportation, consumption and waste aspects of the

food system in a drive to achieve sustainable social, economic and environmental development.

1.2 Purpose

Establish the models of urban agriculture in and around Msunduzi

Create partnerships with key role players in the urban agriculture sector

Establish an urban agriculture forum to tackle related issues in the city

1.3 Expectations

Have representation from all sectors of urban agriculture

Create willing and beneficial partnerships

A forum to be formed

[4]

2. Background and Participant Profile

2.1 MIDI’s Event Following

Participants were asked to put a sticker to each MIDI event (related to urban agriculture) previously

attended. There were a total of 38 participants however very few have been follow MIDI events. The

table below dissects the numbers attended at the different events.

2.2 Organisation/ Individual Involvement in Food Value Chain

Participants were asked to show which part of the food value chain their organisation is involved in.

table below captures the results. Most of the organisations were involved in production and waste

recovery.

VALUE CHAIN ORGANISATION OR INDIVIDUAL

PRODUCTION MIDI

Hortishop and Little Growers

BESG Climate Change

Dovehouse Organics

Mahlathini Organics

Urban Organics

MMAEP

A Rocha Gardening and greening at school

Kathy

Gezubuso Projects

PROCESSING Mahlathini Organics

Dovehouse Organics

Kathy

CONSUMPTION Kathy

Verdant life

NAME OF WORKSHOP VENUE AND DATE NUMBER OF

ATTENDES

Sustainable Technologies Workshop:

Urban Agric Task Team

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Campus, January 2008

2

Stakeholder Consultation on Urban

Agriculture

PMB Botanical Gardens,19

November 2008

3

City Summit, Focus Group Food Value

Chain

Golden Horse Casino, October

2009

6

Mini-Summit Food Value Chain Victoria Country Club,13 October

2009

6

[5]

DISTRIBUTION Dovehouse Organics

WASTE RECOVERY Garikai (UKZN)

Wizzard Worms

BESG Climate Change

Dovehouse Organics

Hortishop and Little Growers

2.3 Type of Participants (based on introductions)

As part of this exercise, a few baskets filled with different organic products were made available. The

group was asked to find an item in the basket that appeals to them and thereafter give a short

introduction of themselves and symbolism of the item. Many of the participants were had some sort of

interest in food security and agriculture. Many responded that they were there to learn and also teach

others about the sector as well as start gardening themselves. It can be deduced that a group of

interested, viable and key stakeholders were part of the workshop.

Figure 1: Participants trying to get the best of the products

2.4 Presenter Organisation Profile

Firstly all organisations and individuals were asked to map out where their key agricultural projects

were located on the map provided (refer to insert map). This exercise provides useful in assessing

where most agriculture related projects are based as well as identify gaps in the system. A few key

organisations involved in the urban agriculture sector were asked to provide a six minute profile.

[6]

Figure 2: Rutendo Zendah demonstrating the workings of Earth Boxes

Value Chain Name of

Organisation

General Notes Website and contact

details

Production

MIDI

Food security in a box

Making gardening easier

and more effective to

increase yield yet saving

water and fertiliser.

Model in place at PCH

www.midi.org.za

AERRM- UKZN Qualified students can

assist with Agric and Rural

Development

www.ukzn.ac.za

GEZUBUSO

PROJECTS Food Gardens in

Communities working with

orphans

Youth soccer Club

www.gezebuso.co.za

Facebook

Processing

Consumption

MMAEP Eco schools www.mmaep.co.za

A ROCHA

(THE ROCK)

Eco- congregations

Planting Indigenous trees in

schools

Establishing Gardens

www.arocha.org

BESG

Climate Change education

through drama

Food Gardens

Educate on water, trees,

energy and nutrition

Under construction. . .

SUSTAINABILITY

FORUM Sustainable Living Events

Go green guidelines: food,

water, energy etc

www.sustainabilityforum.w

ordpress.com

[7]

The above table provides a summary of the presenters’ profiles together with where they feature on

the food value chain.

3. Discussions

3.1 Activity 1: Walkabout

One of the activities included a tour of the Dovehouse Organics Farm (solely involved in

permaculture, organic farming). It was a 20 minute tour, led by Paul Duncan (owner), whom showed

the different aspects of his farm. This included:

Organic methods of fertilising (use of poultry and fertiliser beds)

Worm farm

Organic beds of different crops surrounded by natural vegetation

Natural methods of pest control

Distribution

BROADLEAZE

FARM Organics into supermarkets

Partic Guarantee System

(IFOAM)

Midlands Organic

Association

www.broadleaze.co.za

MAHLATHINI

ORGANICS Organic seed sales

Sustainable farming

Homestead gardens

Educate on water, energy

www.mahlathiniorganics.co

.za

UMBUMBANO

TRADERS

ALLIANCE

Cut out brokers for traders

to access fresh produce

No website

Waste

recovery

WIZARD WORMS Composting (large and

small scale)

Organic waste and worms

www.wizardwormz.co.za

HORTISHOP AND

LITTLE

GROWERS

Food gardens using

mulch/organic waste

www.hortishop.co.za

NTOMBENHLE

MPOPOMENI Waste recovery through

crafting, recycle, educate on

mulching

Fight social ill

No website

[8]

Figure 3: Paul Duncan taking the second group on their walkabout tour of Dovehouse Organics Farm

3.2 Activity 2: Group discussions

The participants were sub-divided into six groups and each was asked one of the three questions

below. Reponses were captured but due to limited time, feedback and discussions were excluded.

Responses are summarised in the sub headings below.

3.2.1 What we love about PMB/Which strengths can be improved upon to move urban

agriculture forward in PMB?

3.2.1.1 What we love about PMB?

Infrastructure

Climate

Water

Unused land

Sport

View

Farms

Growth of the city

Diversity of people

Presence of activists and conservation groups in public and private sector

3.2.1.2 Which strengths can be improved upon to move urban agriculture forward in PMB?

Governance (social, incentives, policy)

Communication

[9]

Learning

New culture

Unrecognised, unlimited and unused potential

Farms situated on the periphery of city (potential to provide employment for local people)

Growing food for city

City expansion therefore opportunity to plan for urban agriculture

Key players in place in conservation and activist groups therefore more community based and

people orientated projects can be implemented

3.2.2 Paradox of the ages

Young stars must be taught farming (agriculture)

Farmers must be taught how to maintain their land

Budgeting is very important in order to run the business effectively

Agricultural investment must be done, especially in young stars

The effort of reaching uneducated personnel can be done by using information from institutions

and also creating awareness programmes for them

Higher institutions can provide internships for their students for a better future (Auxiliary

extension officers)

The government must be alert on the importance of agriculture

In recognition of our paradox being poverty stricken and overpopulation, our vision is to have the

courage to build vibrant communities, inspire leadership among youth, to share the skills they are

taught; where people use resources that are available to them (low technology) growing food at

home and in centres

To encourage the spirit of cooperation, sharing harnessing their cultural beliefs and traditional

knowledge while giving back to nature

3.2.3 Cost of living/ what will you do without food?

Humans are humus/ awareness of connectedness

Everything comes from the soil, what we eat, what we wear

Human values and relationships

Nurturing the seeds of the future through education, sharing and caring and action implementation

Implementation-action, networking

[10]

3.3 Activity 3: Free writing exercise

This was a 12 minute exercise encouraging all participants to write down whatever came to their

mind. Thereafter participants were asked to circle the main words that popped out in their writing and

share in groups of three. This was followed by the two key issues that came out from each group. The

main issues emerged from discussions included:

Youth and education: the need to identify and mentor passionate young people

Ubuntu: different ways of doing and being, simple lifestyle

Social Solidarity: communities can help themselves

Research: organic vs chemical farming (integrated food production, can organic farming feed the

world?, cost of organics vs chemical, local vs global (cost of imported food), cost of organics

levelling out with organics)

Sustainability at household level: food first or sustainability?

Food value chain: gaps in food processing and distribution as well as waste recovery

Food sovereignty: do we have the right to choose what we buy and eat?

How to feed the world? A lot of small scale farming that can work together in the organic sector

3.4 Activity 4: What will I do? What can the Collective do?

Two different coloured cards were handed to each participant and asked to write down on each card;

what they will do after the workshop and what can the collective do after the workshop. The

responses are summarised in the table below (and listed from most common to least common).

You Collective

Share knowledge gained from workshop

with their own community

Research, learn more about the aspects of

urban agriculture

Provide training, mentorship and support

and young possible farmers

Become an urban farmer (own garden at

home)

Incorporate lessons learnt in own lifestyle

Engage youth (create interest and spark

passion/enthusiasm)

Active forum (space for regular

meetings, updates and knowledge

sharing)

Support local farmers and market

(knowledge sharing, finance, etc)

Research and push ideas of urban

agriculture forward

Change policy (lobbying to influence

decision makers)

Support and assist MIDI

Engage youth (create interest and spark

passion/enthusiasm)

[11]

4. Way Forward/Closure

Look at the 2009 MIDI declaration as a platform for this forum

Make the forum into a civic society initiative (open up this space for more conversation and

learning)

Have satellite workshops and invite other relevant stakeholders as well as members from the

community (participants to identify community members)

Next workshop in May but smaller conversations through the year

5. Appendices

5.1 Presenter Invite

[12]

5.2 Participant Invite

[13]

5.3 Programme

[14]

5.4 List of Participating Organisations

Dovehouse Organics

A Rocha South Africa

Tshintsha Amakhaya

Wiz Worms

Ubumbano Street Traders Alliance

Midlands Meander Education Project

Gezubuso Projects

University of KwaZulu-Natal

KZN Midlands Sustainability Forum

Built Environment Support Group (BESG)

SOS Children’s Village South Africa

Pietermaritzburg Child Welfare

Mpopomeni Community Gardens

Hortishop Johannesburg

Broadleaze Farm

Freelance Consultant

Mahlathini Organics

Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs

Apologies

Metropolitan Church

Mennonite Central Committee

Eden Kids Trust

Blind and Deaf Society

Lilly of the Valley

[15]

5.5 MIDI Presentation

[16]