South Africa faces critical environmental and human resource challenges. Lack of water and soil erosion, deforestation and desertification are causal factors for food insecurity and poverty, resulting in sprawling low-income urbanization. Coupled with the impact of climate change and the destruction of natural habitats and biodiversity, this is a recipe for disaster for the millions living below the poverty line.
Answering the Call – ACT's Conservation Agriculture Programme:
For the past eight years, ACT has been working with affected communities, teaching them the value of working with nature – not against it, in their efforts to grow their own food.
This includes:
- The establishment of ecological food gardens at individual homesteads, clinics and schools across the province
- Widespread mentorship and education on permaculture principles, including seed saving and nutritional eating
- Replanting indigenous forests and building capacity in ‘natural resource harvesting’ of Marula Oil and BioDiesel
- Assisting communities to harvest rainwater for homestead gardens, and
- Reducing soil erosion in two major catchment areas of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site.