How can solidarity networks undergird agro ecology in promoting
the resilience of women in the face of climate change?
•By Temakholo Mathebula
A Case Study of the Natal Midlands
ProblemStatement
•The COVID-19 Pandemic has exposed how fragile food systems are (FAO, 2020).
This crisis coupled with the growing climate emergency has highlighted how
people rely on community networks in order to survive in uncertain times.
•Eco-feminists argue that the disproportionate distribution of resources and
the preferential treatment given to men and industrial agriculture are
intersectional concerns that often leave women and regenerative forms of
agriculture at disadvantage (Shiva, V, 2016).
ResearchQuestion
How can solidarity networks undergird agro ecology
toenhanceresilienceofwomeninthefaceof climate
change?
•Sub-question 1: What existing networks already support agroe-cology
practices of women? What inhibits and enables these solidarity
networks?
•Sub -question 2: How does an understanding of solidarity networks
contribute to the concept of social innovation and the practice of
agroecology?
Objectives of Study
1. To identify existing solidarity networks that could support
agro-ecological practice.
2. Todocumentwhatinhibitsandenablessolidaritynetworks
from flourishing in the context of agro-ecology.
3. Tosupportsharingandlearningbetweenthetwoagro-
ecology groups in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga towards
enhancing these solidarity networks.
4. Todeveloprecommendationsforpolicychange
Methodology
qA PAR Approach was used in this research
qLimitation of research: shorter timeframe
than what is required for PAR
qResearchwasconductedthroughaseries
of individual interviews, focus group
discussions, cross learning workshops
qOutputs (animations/videos/handbook)
Context of Study
qArea: Swayimane and Ozwathini
q30 farmers from across Midlands (10 from each area)
qHigh rainfall areas, deep well drained soils
qMajority women between the ages of 40 and 80 years old.
qBetween 5-10% of participants are men between the ages of
40 and 75 years old.
qParticipants practice mixed farming
Most farmers in the
Midlands depend on a
wide range of farming
activities in order to
survive
Local Solidarity Networks in
Midlands
qCA Learning Groups
qStokvels (meat, blanket, money, funeral)
qSavings and Loan Associations
qGroups that assist orphans
Solidarity networks can be described as groups (both formal and informal) of
mutual interests and cooperation that are formed, often in response harsh
realities such climate change and COVID 19.According to Smith (2009),
solidarity networks focus on and explore alternatives to the challenges of
marginalization, underdevelopment, and poverty in communities.
qDARD Farmers’ Association
qLivestock groups
qMushroom Prodn Groups
qChurch Groups
Benefits and Challenges of Solidarity
Networks
BENEFITS OF SOLIDARITY NETWORKS
qKnowledge access and sharing
qConservation of soil and water
qSaving money for various needs
qPreservation of culture (the
principles of Ubuntu (humanity)
and ubumbano (solidarity)
qCC Mitigation
CHALLENGES
qJealousy amongst group members
qPoor attendance of meetings
qLack of cooperation amongst group
members
qGossiping
qCliques
qLack of confidentiality
qPoor record keeping
Findings on the Role of
each Network
OZWATHINI
CA learning
group
DARD
Farmers
Association
Calf
Group
Savings
Group
Burial
Scheme
Harvesting
Group
Access to Knowledge
222 2 22
Soil and water conservation
212 0 00
Saving money
222 2 21
Increased resilience to climate
change
212 0 00
Preservation of culture
222 0 22
Solidarity
222 2 22
121012 68 7
MAYIZEKANYE
CA learning
group
DARD
Farmer
s
Associa
tion
Savings
Group
Burial
scheme Stokvel
Harvesting
Group
Access to Knowledge
222 2 2 2
Soil and water conservation
220 0 1 1
Saving money
222 2 2 1
Increased resilience to climate
change
222 0 0 1
Preservation of culture
222 1 2 2
Solidarity
222 2 2 2
Mayizekanye
1212 107 9 9
GOBIZEMBE
CA learning
group
DARD
Farmers
Association
Sewing
Group
Money
Stokvel
Grocery
Stokvel
Harvesting
Group
Access to Knowledge
22212 2
Soil and water conservation
22000 1
Saving money
22222 1
Increased resilience to climate change
20000 1
Preservation of culture
22212 2
Solidarity
21220 2
TOTAL 12 9866 9
qFarmers ranked RA the highest in all categories
during a matrix ranking exercise which was to
identify which category each network was most
effective.
qCA contributes not only to knowledge creation and
soil and water conservation but also has a positive
impact on strengthening community relations.
qStokvels, burial schemes, savings groups and church
groups played a more significant role in saving
money, preservation of cultural values and solidarity.
qThere was an indirect link between local savings
groups/stokvels and farming activities.
CA & Access to knowledge
qVariousLearningPlatforms
qGreater understanding of the
destructive effects of ploughing on
soils
qUnderstanding of CA as an
approach to farming
qIndividual Experimentation
CA & Conservation of
soil and Water
qReductionoferosion
qIncrease in organic matter
qCrop residues in thefield and the incorporation of
manure also has a positive effect on soil health
qExperience has shown that the monocrop model
of farming has long term detrimental effects on
the soil.
Maize and Summer Cover Crop plot in
Mayizekanye
Maize and Cowpea intercrop,
Ozwathini
Maize mono crop plot in Ozwathini
Maize Stover saved from
previous season, rotated with
amadumbe
CA & Saving Money
According to farmers CA has had a
positive effect on their income;
qSaving on ploughing costs
qReduceduseofsyntheticfertilisers
qRole of VLSA’S?
CA & Cultural Preservation
qCA has revived and also enhanced the
way their forefathers grew food
qBefore mechanization, people used to
plant by hand and erosion was not as
severe as it is today
qAdvanced equipment in CA means
that people can still employ good
practice without damaging their soils.
qSome farmers have incorporated CA
into their traditional cropping systems
Maize intercropped with
Amadumbe
Maize intercropped with pumpkin
CA &Climate Change
Resilience
qThe unpredictable weather patterns of KZN have
often led to sudden hailstorms which caused
extensivedamageto crops.
qCA plots have been seen to be more resilient to
harsh weather conditions. Summer cover crops in
Gobizembe were almost unaffected by heavy
hailstorms
qFarmerswitnessedfirsthandhowminimumtillage
protected their soils during unrelenting heavy
rainfallscomparedtotheirploughedfields.
CA & Solidarity
qWomenatforefrontofinnovation
qEmergence of women leaders in CA networks
qStrengthened community relationships
qSharing ofknowledge and skills
qEmergence of new networks
Conclusion
•Solidarity Networks central to
developing social agency
needed to cement new
innovations
•CA learning groups are the best
platform for supporting agro-
ecology initiatives
•Application of all CA principles
has led to greater resilience,
sustainability and improved
income
Thank You!
The welfare of each is bound up in the
welfare of all…
Hellen Keller