At the AGM of the KZN Seedgrowers Association held in February 2012, Wildlands Conservation Trust presented an overview of their community livelihoods projects where the KZN Seedgrowers agreed they wanted to support this work. This has led to a donation of more than 600 bags of certified seed potatoes which Wildlands has distributed to Green-preneurs throughout communities in Zululand (namely Mzimela, eSikhawini, KwaMbonambi, Khula and Tembe) with more bags to follow for planting areas in the Midlands, Vosloorus & Nelspruit.
“Green-preneurs” are community members who support their livelihoods by growing indigenous trees or collecting recyclable waste, which is then traded with Wildlands. In exchange, Green-preneurs receive a credit note or voucher to the value of what they have grown or collected, which they can then spend at their nearest SAVE Superstore or Cash & Carry.
In Zululand, to date 12 tons of seed potatoes have been traded with Green-preneurs in return for some 12,300 trees grown – at a cost of 20 trees for one 25kg bag of quality seed. 1 bag of seed will easily feed a large household and provide surplus that can be sold for additional income. Wildlands uses the trees collected from Green-preneurs to plant out in their various forest restoration, township greening and carbon farming projects. So essentially potatoes are supporting the growing and planting of trees back into the environment – a surprising link! Wildlands trainer & Agricultural Extension officer by training, Ncamisile Hlatshwayo, provides a potato planting demonstration and propagation advice in the various communities on how to propagate seed potatoes at a homestead garden-scale.
PMB Market agents, GW Poole, with the backing of Msunduzi Municipality have also assisted by kindly allowing the seed to be stored on their market floor. From the Market the seed was collected by Time Freight in June 2012 and transported to the various Wildlands projects free of charge, thanks to the generous support of Time Freight, who have donated logistical support to Wildlands this year.
Grateful thanks are extended to the following producers who have contributed seed, namely Gavin Hill (Stud Spuds), Colin Francis (Eversley Farming), Cliffie Egbrink (Vrystaat Farming), Mike Greene (Mighty Mzambane), John Armstrong Farming, Kamberg Valley, JJ Van Der Velde (Zuiwer Goud), and Desmond Hyman (SIS Estates).
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)