Mover and shaker Zama sows organic future
Through the Uthingo Organic Farm initiative, 20 beneficiaries are being taught to farm sustainably and create a means for possible future employment.
ONE woman’s passion for people and her drive to uplift her community led to the formation of the Uthingo Organic Farm at the Highway Commando Association (HCA).Go-getter Zama Ngubane studied agriculture at Cedara Agricultural College after high school and used this knowledge to her utmost advantage when starting up the project two years ago.
While the practical side of the outreach initiative is still in its infancy, it has literally continued to grow in leaps and bounds since its inception.
With her close ties to the HCA from her high school days, she approached the non-profit company with her idea and requested to utilise a section of its property for the project.
The barren piece of land is now a burgeoning organic farm that houses a variety of leafy veggies and plump fruit.
Uthingo Organic Farm partnered up with Infraserv and beneficiaries for the project were identified in Empangeni. Of the 40 that were identified, 20 were selected to partake in the first chapter of the outreach project.
“The beneficiaries chosen were passionate and in need of what we could teach them. This would ensure the project would not fall onto its face in a few months and that these people would take the project back home and expand it into their communities,” said Purity.
The course itself is two weeks and in phase one the beneficiaries are chosen, they stay at Highway Accomodation for the theory and practical training.
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In the lessons, each person is taught the ins and outs of organic farming, how to make compost and organic sprays as well as building and using chicken tractors and mulching.
The farm based at HCA utilises the idea of permaculture and is 100 per cent organic. Theory and practical work is done on the farm during the first week while the second week is completely practical.
Each of the beneficiaries wakes up early each morning and works in the gardens until 4pm each day.
Phase one is carried out over a period of three months. When the initial two week training is complete, each person receives a certificate of attendance and the beneficiaries return home, with tools and seeds in tow, and implement their lessons. The project runners will host bi-monthly visits to each home garden.
“It is at the one home, one garden stage. We will see them prepare their soil, create their own compost heaps and begin to grow their own vegetable gardens,” she said.
Those who have exceeded expectations will be moved onto phase two of the project.
The second phase, which has not yet begun, includes a community garden on a piece of land that is still to be identified.
“We foresee all 20 of our candidates moving onto phase two because of their sheer dedication and passion,” said the proud project leader.
This phase will kick off as soon as funding becomes available.
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