UKZN’s Farmer Support Group (FSG), a community development, outreach and research unit based in the School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SAEES) in Pietermaritzburg, has been instrumental in advancing sustainable agriculture among South Africa’s smallholder farmers.
The FSG is active in Msinga and Okhahlamba local municipalities, where it works with farmer groups. Director of the FSG Professor Maxwell Mudhara emphasised the importance of facing the unavoidable climate change challenge of too much or too little rainfall and longer droughts, saying that careful and innovative planning is necessary to combat changes in temperature and rainfall availability.
Mudhara thanked key partners who support the FSG’s work, including the UKZN Foundation, the HCI Foundation, DKA Austria and the European Union.
FSG’s comprehensive approach encompasses training, advisory services and project support in areas such as agroecology, nature conservation, institutional strengthening and enterprise development, including market participation. FSG ensures that interventions are both relevant and effective by engaging development practitioners, researchers, community members and government extension staff in participatory research and extension.
South Africa’s communal areas grapple with challenges like land degradation, unemployment, low income and a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, all of which adversely impact livelihoods. These issues, partly rooted in the apartheid era’s legacy, have systematically undermined agricultural production and food self-sufficiency in favour of formal employment. FSG recognises the complexity of these challenges, which intertwine human, financial, social, natural and physical facets. Their interventions are designed to address these interconnected elements, fostering holistic development in rural communities.
FSG conducts workshops to educate farmers on climate change adaptation, soil health improvement, water harvesting techniques and efficient irrigation methods to combat the deterioration of vital natural resources. Regular farm visits allow for a hands-on understanding of challenges, leading to the emergence of innovative solutions tailored to each community’s needs and resources.
Mudhara encourages farmer groups to meet regularly to share knowledge and discuss ways to tackle their challenges, including the choice of crops to plant (especially neglected and underutilised crop species) that could help to withstand climate change effects on food security and crop productivity and how to protect the soil. The FSG will continue to provide support to understand and develop locally adapted solutions to these challenges.
FSG organises educational sessions and forums where farmers gain insight into modern agricultural practices, market dynamics and technological advancements. FSG also ensures that farmers are well-informed by facilitating interactions with stakeholders, enabling them to make decisions that enhance yields and incomes.
Beyond primary agricultural production, FSG encourages farmers to explore entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in agro-processing. Farmers learn to maximise profits and reduce dependency on traditional farming through training in value chain opportunities, savings clubs and bulk buying.
FSG develops seasonal curricula focused on sustainable farming practices in response to climate change. Training emphasises achieving high-quality yields while preserving environmental integrity, ensuring that agricultural lands remain productive for future generations.
FSG fosters unity among farmers, creating collective voices to address shared challenges such as access to markets and resources. FSG empowers communities to advocate for their needs and collaborate in developing solutions that drive progress in communal areas by mobilising them.
Mudhara expressed appreciation for the group’s efforts, which, in turn, motivates FSG facilitators to do better and also encourages funders and collaborators to provide resources and related support.
