food storage project for urban agriculture (Soweto): Pilot interviews. 29 April 2014

Based on my previous farm visits and desktop research of small-scale farming issues, the two directions I formulated were a multipurpose hand-held farming tool and a low-tech food storage unit. Prior to these interviews, I presented two of my main ideas to two members of the RDFF (Region D Farmer's Forum). Although both projects would address relevant problems, and the RDFF members were more keen on the storage idea, this was not enough for me to commit to one of the two ideas.Connecting with one of the more successful small-scale farmers in Soweto, Sakhile, gained us access to many local farms where we could carry out our interviews...

we began were we left off last time, at Sakhile's site, Siyazenzela. He openly spoke of his successes, struggles available resources, long and short term visions. Three Farmer's are responsible for the site. Currently the farm has several seedling beds (figure below), JoJo tanks, a small indoor shed, a well built greenhouse structure with failing plastic sheet covers, a significant amount of unused land, an irrigation system and is paid visit by local stray dogs and hungry thieves.

A spontaneous visitor to Sakhile's site, Kelvin, and 'coach' welcomed us to their nearby garden after we explained our project to them.

Kelvin claimed he was an amature compared to Sakhile, but his garden was nothing less of impressive. Without any farming background, Kelvin along with some friends and family members managed to elbow grease their way into a spiffing garden. Just across the street from their house, they took the initiative to clear the rocks on the hilly land that was not being occupied (view outskirts in image above). They cleared the equivalent area of a football field, extending all the way to the local church (not shown in these images). Such results were achieved by trial and error. We gave them farming tips, like how to use mulch and inter-crop in exchange for their future contact. We also shared a sack of naartjies with them to thank them for their time.

Coach claims that expanding further is only a matter of time (below image).

Sakhile took us to a nearby location, in Phiri, to show us his friend's farm.

we saw many goats.

but Sakhile couldn't find his friend...

It looks like a goody from the sneak-peak we got, We would have to come back another time.

Our last, visit truly gave us the most valuable information. It involved many farmers tending to their own pieces of land on the site of a school garden. (location to be provided soon).

Peter, Jomari and I explained our project and the farmers were more than keen to let us interview them. we adapted to a semi-structured procedure. We had one main respondent, who had the most experience, with occasional input from the other farmers. We each interviewed for about one hour, using recorders and notepads. The information we received is not the kind that would be found on any search engine!

afterwards the farmers welcomed us to the back of the site, which was more than double the area of the front.

A lot of the land was still unused and needed to be cleared for future used.

A piece of ingenuity that captures the creativity of the farmers.

make shift insulators were used to protect the growing vegetables. Any extremity that stuck out of the insulation didn't fare well.

This experienced farmer showed us her discoveries and applications of Permaculture. It is an advanced way of designing a farm that she shares with fellow farmers that are interested.

The need for sustainable, long lasting hand tools became increasingly clear. Tools are brought from from home if available but most often used communally between the farmers.