1. 1
Healthin every Hut
INCREASING RURAL HOMESTEAD FOOD AND INCOME PRODUCTION
The DonaldWoods Foundation (DWF) hasduringthe lastfive years, assessed HomesteadHealth and
isprovidingprimaryhealthcare toover8500 homesteads,numberingsome 34000 people inthe
Hobeni Areaof the Xora Municipalityinthe EasternCape.The systememploys ateamof 80 trained
primaryhealthcare workers,whosystematicallyvisitthe homesteadsmonitoringhealth,and
provide a link toclinicsanda rural Hospital.
The DWF hasbeenaskedbythe local Hobeni communities toexpandtheirwork toassistwomen
homesteadproducersandlocal farmers,toincrease theirproductionof foodandincome fromtheir
landand livestockassets.
Hobeni isone of the poorestareasof the EasternCape Province. Traditional landuse and
settlementpatternshave not resolved homesteadpovertyandunemployment.
Yet the Hobeni districthasa temperate subtropical climate,goodsoilsandahighagricultural,
timber,mariculture andlivestockpotential. The communitieslackthe essential vision,training,skills
infrastructure andstimulus,tomake sustainable subsistenceandprofitableuse of theirnatural
resources.
An analysisbyateam of experiencedrural development practitionersandacademics,hasconfirmed
that there ispotential forsignificantincreaseinhouseholdfoodproduction.The environmentis
conducive fora numberof profitable subtropical agricultural andlivestockenterprises whichcan
contribute significantlytohomesteadincome, leadingtoa thrivingbusinessbased,local economy.
Analysis furtherindicates thatitispossible tobuildontraditional farmingpracticesandpromote
climate smart,sustainable agricultural production.Thiscanincrease the productionof foodand
otherproductsand enable farmerstoparticipate,throughlocal processingandmarketing,inthe full
value chain of theirprimaryproducts.A method toachieve thisby aggregatinglarge numbersof
2. 2
small producerstoachieve economiesof scale, hasbeendeveloped andisapplicable tothe
communitiesof Hobeni.
What is required?
The HobeniConsultation,acollective of 25rural developmentandagriculture expertsheldin
SeptemberatHobeni ,identifiedanumberof issues whichneedtobe addressedinordertoassist
the local communitiestoincrease theirfoodproductionandhouseholdincome.
Of prime importance isthe trainingof local homesteadproducers,farmers,school learnersand
educators,youthandcommunityleadership.People need trainingand demonstrationsof whatis
possible, theyneededucationinentrepreneurial andbusinessopportunities.There isapressing
requirementforthe developmentof appropriate skillsinthe technical,professional,production,
marketingandgeneral businesssectors.
In additionthe remotenessof the area, lackof infrastructure,lackof convenientandeconomic
sourcesof productionrequirementsand the lackof an organisedmarketforlivestockand
agricultural products, makeshomesteadandsmall farmerprofitable productionextremelydifficult
and riskprone.Thismay be why,withall the effortsthatthe people andsupportagencies have
invested inthe past,there isstill solittle improvementproduction.
A local convenient effectaRural Service Centre (RSC) isrequired, whichprovidesthe supportfor
intensifiedandprofitable productionwithinthe local community.
The RSC can provide technical advice,training,skillsdevelopment, entrepreneurialmodelling,and
make productionresourcesand marketsavailableforproducers.
Recordsshowthat in the past there wasgreaterlocal production.Thiswas significantly enabledand
supportedby servicesprovidedbythe local TradingStore,whichprovided credit, production
requirements ataffordable prices, storage, processingandmarketingfacilities,forlocal products.
The Trading store wasa centre forcommunicationwiththe outside world, andprovided the
equivalentof bankingandpostal facilities.
Hobeni isthe historical site of sucha TradingStore,which infact served inthe past as a functional
Rural Service Centre.DWFhasbuilt onthissite a modernand effectiveadministrative and
managementfacility, witharesidentialconferencingand trainingcapacity.Thiscentre withthe
additionof purpose built unitscanforma platformforthe facilitationof supportive andinnovative
rural development programmes forthe Hobeni areaandelsewhere.
The Rural ServicesCentre will provide the base fora20 yearsocial andeconomicdevelopment
strategy,whichcan stimulate thislocal community, tocarefullyuse theirenvironmental resources
for theirpresentandfuture prosperity. Figure 1illustratessucharural servicescentre.
3. 3
Fig1. Rural service centre for DonaldWoods FoundationHobeni
Comprising of
a skills training andvehicle workshop;
Store for agricultural production requirements;
Resource Centre includingretailoutlet, postal andbanking, office space for public services and
technical support localfor producers andentrepreneurs;
seedlinggreenhouse;
environmentallysensitive homesteadfor manager;
an intensive foodproduction experimental anddemonstration facility;
produce collection and marketing facility;
livestockhandlingsales andloading facility;
The RSC must be developedtobecome economicallyviable andprovidegoodsandservicesat
competitiverates.Itis envisagedthatDWFwill provide the facilitiesthat can be leasedoutto
commercial enterpriseswhichwilloperate onafranchise andcooperative systemwith
entrepreneursand local producers.
A comprehensive programmeof food,fieldcrops,livestockproductioninthe Hobeni areashould be
initiatedandledbyDWF, on a carefullyphased strategy overaninitial periodof fiveyears. Thiswill
provide aplatformforsignificantenterpriseandbusinessdevelopmentandenable the local people
to participate in aninnovative andthrivingurbanisingdevelopmentprogramme overthe next20
years.
The RSC shouldbe facilitatedbyDWFinpartnershipwithotherstakeholdersbothfromthe
communityandfromentitiesoutside the Hobeniarea The RSC will be developedtocaterforthe
requirementswithineachphase,beginningwithamodestinfrastructure andservicesandthen
expandingasvolumesandenterprisesdevelop.
4. 4
HOMESTEAD FOOD AND INCOME PROGRAMME
The rural communityinthe Hobeni area,as istrue of mostrural communitiesinSouthAfrica,isina
state of rapidsocial change.It hasbeendescribedbyProf Leslie Banks thesecommunitiesin
transitionasrepresentingdisplacedurbanism.Thisleadstoafocuson investinginurbantype
dwellingsandlifestyle,inthe rural space.Thiscan leadto chaotic settlementpatternsandthe
destructionof rural environmental andagricultural productivity.
The Hobeni Districtshouldbe enabled tosystematicallyplanforthisurbanisingfuture andbuilda
societythatsatisfiestheirtraditionalandmodernaspirations,withasoundproductive local
economy.Forthisreasonthe programme isbeingdesignedtobe implementedovera20 year
period,withattentionbeingpaidtospacial developmenturbanisationandintensificationof food
and agricultural ( includinglivestock) production.
The first5 yearsof the phased20 yeardevelopmentprogramme is summarised inthe table onpage
5 following.
5. 5
ACTIVITY PHASE 1 (10 - 50 HH) PHASE 2 ( 50 -200 HH) PHASE 3 (200 - 2000 HH) PHASE 4 (2000 - 4000 HH) PHASE 5 (4000 - 8000HH DWF TRAINING PROGRAMMES
LIVESTOCK PROGRAMME training for livestock production
training for livestock
production
training for livestock
production
training for livestock
production
training for livestock
production
training for livestock
production
DWF LIVESTOCK TRAINING
HEALTH
Innoculation, healing, deworming,
castration, vaccination, participate
with Department of Veterinary services
and drug manufacturors
PRODUCTION
management, selection, breeding,
culling, feeding,
MARKETING
handling facilities, market
information, market contracts,
animal confirmation
PASTURE AND GRAZING
manage grazing to ensure resting,
introduce legumes and kikuyu
pastures, use electric fencing,
eliminate undesirable species
VALUE ADDITION
improve stock handling facilities
at homesteads, fowl laying,
broiler production, geese
management, goat management,
sheep management, slaughter
facilities, cooked meat, feedlot
management
cattle handling
facilities, chicken
rearing to 6 weeks,
wool sorting, cattle
fattening, milk
processing
chicken rearing to 6
weeks, wool sorting, kid
goat rearing, sheep
breeding, cattle
fattening, milk processing
introduce improved bulls,
rams ( goat and sheep)
broiler production, egg
production, rabbit
production.
establish cost effective
feedlot with linked feed
production
commercial dairy, local
abattoir and butchery
DWF ENTREPRENSHIP TRAINING
FOOD GARDENS training for homestead gardening
training for homestead
gardening
training for homestead
gardening
training for homestead
gardening
training for homestead
gardening
training for homestead
gardening
DWF FOOD GARDEN TRAINING
HOMESTEADS
set up garden kits, fencing loans,
water collection, seedling
distribution, women's clubs,
50 home gardens 200 home gardens 2000 home gardens 4000 home gardens 8000 home gardens
SCHOOLS
new technique demonstrations,
individual learner plots for profit
2 schools 5 schools 100 learners, R70.00 each 500 learners R 200.00 each 1000 learners, R200.00 each
COMMERCIAL
establish irrigated 2 ha
commercial production unit
2ha unit producing
R 10,000profit
4 ha producing R60,000
profit
4 ha producing
R120,000profit
8 ha producing R200,000
profit
MARKETING
establish market at Hobeni, link to
traders
establish market at
Hobeni
facilitate marketing of
produce
facilitate marketing of
produce
facilitate marketing of
produce
facilitate marketing of
produce
FIELD CROPS
training for field crops training for field crops training for field crops training for field crops training for field crops training for field crops DWF FIELD AND FRUIT CROP TRAINING
MAIZE
BEANS
SOYA
SWEET POTATOES
FEED FOR LIVESTOCK
SUB TROPICAL FRUIT
HIGH VALUE CROPS
RENEWABLE ENERGY
MARICULTURE negotiate with DAFF
trials established pilot production units
small scale commercial units small scale commercial units
WATER CONSERVATION
homestead production, irrigation
techniques, rain water harvesting
10 projects 20 new projects 50 new projects project maintenance project maintenance
DWF WATER CONSERVATION
TRAINING
TOURISM
evaluate opportunities, establish
amenities
facilitate community
negotiation with
appropriate partners
facilitate training and
entry into tourism
projects
facilitate expansion of
tourism and profitability
projects
facilitate expansion of
tourism and profitability
projects
facilitate expansion of
tourism and profitability
projects
TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
negotiate with Local Government
to provide assistance in
settlement and land use planning
facilitate meetings
with appropriate
authorities and
consultants
facilitate research and
support for the
development of a
settlement and land use
plan
facilitate community
leadership negotiations
with appropriate public
sector and private
developers
assist in the management of
a strategic development
plan
assist in the management of
a strategic development
plan
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
base line studies, social
indicators, economic indicators,
production improvements, value
addition, markets
link with academic
institutions and
establish programmes
link with academic
institutions and establish
programmes
link with academic
institutions and establish
programmes
link with academic
institutions and establish
programmes
link with academic
institutions and establish
programmes
DWF RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
VALUE ADDITION
MILLING AND FOOD
PROCESSING
30 Cattle,40 goats, 60
fowls, 10 sheep, 5
geese per HH
300Cattle, 500 Goats,
3000 Fowls,500 sheep, 10
Geese
2000 Cattle, 2000 sheep,
3000 goats,10,000 fowls 300
geese
5000 cattle,4000 sheep,3000
goats,15000 fowls,300 geese
5001 cattle,4000 sheep,3000
goats,15000 fowls,300 geese
200 farmers
continue training and
support 200 farmers
continue training and
support 200 farmers
demonstrate climate smart
technology, provide training,
make equipment available, make
input requirements available,
provide marketing
10 farmers 100 farmers
ESTABLISH SOLAR DRIER
HOUSEHOLD
FOOD AND
INCOME
PROGRAMME
7. 7
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AND COSTS FOR 6 MONTH SETUP
REQUIRED ACTIVITY COST IN SA RAND
1. Adoptioninprinciplethe Increasing HomesteadFoodand
Income Programme. The draftconceptproposal and
programme as outlinedinthispapershouldbe presentedthe
DWF Executive fordiscussionandadoption.
2. A Programme Managershouldbe appointedona 6 month
contract to implementthe following
2.1 Expandthe current LivestockHealthProgramme, visit
KZN for trainingandadoptionof Mdukutshane system; begin
livestockproductiontraining;implementmarketingsystem.
2.2 Identifyexistingandintendedinterventionsinthe
Hobeni areaby otherGovernment,Academicandprivate
sectorrole players
2.3 Through DWF AdvocacyTeammeetlocal Farmers
Association,DevelopmentAssociation,CommunityProperty
Association,Local leadership,local businessentrepreneurs,
schoolsandclinics,todiscussprogramme possibilities.
2.4 Firm updraft proposal andmake presentationsto
otherpotential partners,investorsanddonorssuchas
Provincial GovernmentDepartments,Municipalities,Mining
Houses,Universities,andothers,inordertoobtaintechnical,
professionalandfinancial support forthe envisaged
programme.
2.5 Implementpilotfoodgarden,fieldcropandschool
gardenentrepreneurprogrammeswithappropriate training
and demonstration
2.6 In orderto accomplishthe tasksrequiredthe
Programme Manager musthave dedicatedtransportas
required bythe intensive 6monthprogramme, bothinthe
Hobeni areaand inorder to make contactswithpotential
partners.
3. DWF Executive toevaluate progress,implement modifications
and appointappropriate staff tomanage andimplementthe
phasedprogramme
85 000.
210 000.**
5 000.
3 000
45 000
240 000*
* this amount is required if a suitablevehicleis to be purchased.Alternatively a vehiclecan be rented
** the current total operating costs of the current animal health programme
*** Cost estimates for the Rural Service Centre have not been included in this 6 month period.
8. 8
SOMEPROTOCOLS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION
To assistthe people of Hobeni toincrease theirhouseholdfoodproductionandincome the
followingissuesneedtobe observed.
1. IncreasingRural Homesteadfood andincome productionthroughthe intensificationof
traditional cropandlivestockproductionbyapplyingclimate smartlow inputsystems,whichare
environmentallyresponsible andsupportthe growthinagribusiness.
2. Promotingorganicsocial andeconomicgrowththroughindividualandcommunity
participation,effortandenergy,enablingpeople tobe aware of theiraspirationsandenvisiona
positive future.
3.Providingaplatformsuchas a Rural ServicesCentre,( RSC) thatenablesrural homesteads
to increase theirproduction,targetandreachavailable markets,satisfy firstlytheirownfoodneeds
and derive significantincome fromtheirlocal resources.The RSCwill make costeffective inputs
convenientlyavailable,provide marketsforproduce.There shouldbe space forthe developmentof
entrepreneurs.The Centre andstaff will provide linkagesbetweenknowledge andresearch,and
technological support,forlocal producers.Replicable andimplementableenterprisescanbe
demonstrated.Infrastructure forlocal productionandvalue addition canbe developedwithina
agribusinessframework.
4. Supportthe aggregationof large numbersof small productionunitsintoeconomically
viable enterprisesandtoachieve ascale that reducespovertyinthe Hobeni area.
5. Provide vision,andtrainingthat createsapositive mind-setandconfidence toenable
homesteadstoproduce increase foodsustainablyandtoderive increasedincome fromtheir
production.Thiswill be done byprovidingmodularpractical courses,demonstration,andonfarm
advisoryservicesusingthe farmerfieldschoolapproach. There mustbe a focuson school learners
and the youth withspeciallycreatedprogrammes.
6 Enable people toproductivelyharnessincominggrantsfromgovernmentand private
sectorremittances,tocatalyse local productionandmarkets;retainingthe benefitof production
withinthe local communityandreversingthe currenttrendof grantsbeingusedtoimportgoods
and servicesfromoutside retailers
7. Provide a base forappliedresearchandacademicenquirywhichmaysupportinnovation
and critical thinkingregardingrural developmentandcreativelydealswithspacial planningand
increasingdisplacedurbanisation
8. Enable base line researchdata to be collected sothatfuture programmesandprojects
can be measuredandevaluatedfortheircontributiontopositive change inthe Hobeni Area
9. 9
REQUIREDRESEARCH
The 20 yearRural Developmentprogramme shouldbe basedoncompetentresearchdescribingthe
actual situationinthe Hobeni Districtandprovidinginnovationforimprovementsintechnology,
spacial planningandenterprisedevelopment.The followingare topicareas amongst others, that
require significantattention academicandadaptive researchattention.ItisanticipatedthatDWL
will encourage Academicandotherpartnerstoembarkon thisresearchand be responsible forcross
correlation andcollation betweendifferentdisciplinesandresearchprojects.
Nutritionand foodrequirementsof8500 households
How muchof what…..optimal diet/currentpraxisbydemographic
classes…..elderly,workingadults,15-20adults,10-15 children,5-10
children3-5children,0-3 children QEDhow much foodisrequired
by when,inwhatform, price and availability.
Educationand technologyadoption
A majormindsetchange inestablishedhomesteads,andamongthe youth,
may be requiredfora positive rural modernisationprogramme,tobe
imaginedadoptedand implemented.Alreadythe influenceof Urbanvalues
and lifestylesissignificantinthe Hobeni district.Homesteadsare adopting
urban buildingstandardsanddemandingurbanservices.The youth
generallyare notpositivelyengagedinrural activities;theseare more of an
obligationthan apositive desire andlongtermobjective.Youngpeople
desire alivingstandardfarabove that of theirparentsand searchfor urban
orientedemployment.
A newworldview maybe needed,where the benefitsof transformedrural
environmentcanbe desiredandworkedfor.Positive energisinggoalsmay
replace the currentdisappointment,depressionanddespair whichleadsto
social breakdownandsubstance abuse.
The role of traditional andfaithbasedorganisationsmaybe vital inthis
quest.
Local activitiesbase line
Who has done whatinthe area and whois doingitnow and what isbeing
done; Local farmers,womengardeners,schools,churches,publicagencies
eg LED, Soc dev,PW,Agric, Econ Affairs,Health,COPTA,District
Municipalities,Universities,TradingStores,SpazaShops,Eskom,Water
Affairs;private sectorstakeholderseg taxis,hotel,shebeens,contractors
tradersand service providers.
10. 10
Thisresearchand informationwill enable DWFtofocuson strategic
facilitation,advocacyand strengtheningof appropriate activities,thatwill
undergirdapositive rural future.
Traditional agriculture practises
Studyand analyse currentfarmingpractisestorecordtraditional knowledge.
“whydo farmersand homesteadproducersdowhattheydo inthe way that
theydo”……..what are the reasons,beliefsandexperience underlyingthe
practises;livestockpennedovernightwithnofoodorwater;whyis maize
plantedsolate inspringinthe fields;whyare poorbullsleftintact;whyis
selectivebreedingnotpractised;whyisthere noconservedfeedforwinter;
whyis grazingnotmanaged……..
It isessential toevaluate these andotherpractisesinordertofindan
appropriate enhancementtoincrease foodproductionandincome from
farming.Thenwithfarmerstestothermethodologiesandtechniquesto
enable farmerstocompare theirtraditional withotherandmake
modificationsandinnovations.
Home garden productionkits.
It isnot possible toproduce significantquantitiesof foodatthe homesteads
withoutcertainessential requirements;fencing(protectionfromlivestock
especiallygoats),watertosupplementrainfall,seedandseedlings,toolsfor
harvestingmaterial formulch,accesstoorganicrich plantnutritionto
enrichimpoverishedsoils.A programme mustbe researchedtoenable
Householdstoacquire the itemsnecessaryforsuccessful homesteadfood
productionwill be developed,onaform of hire – purchase scheme.Thiscan
beginwithasmall unitand be expandedincrementallyuntil afull
commercial unitcanbe achieved.The scheme will be conditional on
paymentsanduse of the facilities.
It isdesirable toworkwithgovernmentpartnersintheirSiyazondla
programme.Butthismay be difficultasthe Governmentprogramme isa
straightforwardgrant .
Homesteadfood consumptionand food preparation practices
The nutritionstatus,foodconsumption,preferencesandtraditionsof
Homesteadsinthe Hobeni areashouldbe recorded.Existingpracticesand
11. 11
consumptionmaybe evaluatedintermsof the Homesteadaspirations;
currentconsumptionwithinthe existinglimitations,comparedtopreferred
or desiredconsumption.Thisisimportantdatawhichwill determine food
productionstrategies.
Training
Variousentitiesof the yearshave investedtime andeffortintrainingpeople
inrural communitiesinavarietyof skillsandproficiencies.Before further
trainingisembarkedon,anevaluationneedstobe made to assessthe
actual trainingthathas beendone,toevaluate the impactand to
understandwhypeople are notapplyingtheirnew knowledge.Once thishas
beenassessed,thenfurthertrainingprogrammescanbe developed,
incorporatingthe successfactorswhichhave beenderivedfromthe
research.
FieldCropping
The traditional croppingsystemsare tobe respectedbutitalsoshouldbe
recognisedthattheyhave failedtoprovide sufficientfoodandincome for
the local Households.Additional cropsbothforfoodand income shouldbe
researchedfortheirnutritioncontribution,yields andeconomicvalue.A
range of subtropical shouldbe investigatedincludingfruitandotherhigh
value crops,such as aromaticoils,spices,phytopharamaceuticals,biofuels,
fibre cropsand othercrops of industrial value.
Livestockproduction
Various attemptshave beenmade overthe last4 decadesto‘achieve the
livestockpotential of the rural communal areas.These strategieshave been
aimedat geneticimprovement,grazingmanagement,marketingandmore
recently “targetedfeeding”.Commercialwesternproductionmodelshave
generallybeenasa base for these strategies.
A newapproachneedstobe exploredwhichbeginswiththe Homesteadand
livestockownersinvestment,spiritual,traditional,status,income,andfood
requirementsfromtheirlivestock.Existingandhistoriclivestock
managementsystemsneedtobe recognisedandevaluatedintermsof the
householdrequirementsandriskmitigation,beforesocalledlivestock
improvementstrategiesare suggested.
12. 12
In an urbanisingcommunitywithina rural space,the role of livestockshould
be researchedintermsof theircontributiontohouseholdfood,health,
income andwellbeing,inordertoenhance the contributionthatlivestock
can make to livesof presentandfuture peopleinthe Hobeni area.
Irrigation water conservationand rain water harvesting
Intensificationof foodandincome productionwillrequire reliablesourcesof
water,particularlyduringthe driermonths.There are manywell research
technologiesandmethods.Whatisrequiredis tointroduce these tothe
local homesteadsandassistinthe adoptionandimplementation of
appropriate systems.
Urbanisationwithin rural space
Urbanisationand migration,spacial developmentplans,infrastructure
requirements,greenbuildingpromotion,recreationfacilitiesandthe like
require urbanandrural planninganddesigntocreate the optimal
settlementforthe future. Social processesneedtobe designedand
employedto enable people toparticipate inthe developmentof,andadopt,
the future designrequirements
Businessand enterprise opportunities,
meaningful local jobcreation,employmentforeducatedyouth,tourismand
otherservice industryopportunities,component manufacturing,crafts,art,
entertainmentandotherurbanrelatedremunerativeactivities.
Greenenergyand renewable energy,
timberproducts,new fibre opportunities,solarcooking, biomasstogas
conversionforhouseholduse.
Mariculture and freshwater fishproduction,
The coast line islargelyprotected andthe communityrequire assistance to
develop environmentallysustainablesystems thatare beneficial tothem.
FOOD AND INCOMEVALUECHAINS
In orderfor the full benefitof primaryproduction tobe enjoyedbyproducers,theyshouldbe
enabledtoparticipate inthe complete value chainof theirproducts.The RSCwill facilitate this.
A prime example of thispotential isthe maize valuechain.
13. 13
Currentproductiononhomesteadfieldsis equivalenttolessthan500 kg perhectare (ha) per
annum.The environmentalpotential is6500 kg per ha perannum.Despite theirproduction
opportunities,mosthouseholdshave tobuy maize products,theirstaple food,whichisimported
fromout of the area. Anecdotal evidence suggeststhateachhouseholdconsumessome 1500 kg of
maize productsperannum.If the householdisenabledtonotonlyproduce more maize,buttobe
able to store the full crop withminimumspoilage, householdfoodsecuritycanbe significantly
enhanced.Furthermoreexcessmaize canbe transported,processedandmarketed oritmay be fed
profitablytolivestock.
Usingthe full maize value chain, asignificantenterpriseinthe Hobeni areacanbe developed.Itis
estimatedthatthe areahas a potential toproduce some 20 000 tons of maize perannum, which
may ensure homesteadfoodsecurityandenhance thrivingpoultry,pig,beef,milkandother
livestockenterprises.
Maize may be intercropped,andgrowninrotationwithotherfoodcrops and crops forlivestockor
for market.Currentlymanyfarmersproduce beans;andthere are a range of othersubtropical and
temperate climate vegetables,fieldcropsandfruit,whichcanbe grownboth forlocal consumption
and forprofitable exportmarketsoutof the area.
The people of Hobeni appeartobe more dependentonPublicsectorgrants,loans,retirement
packages,urbanemploymentremittancesandlivestockinvestments, thantheyare onlocal primary
agricultural production.
participationandenable the greatesteconomicandsocial value tobe obtainedwithinthe local
community.
COLLATION
The DonaldWoods FoundationHealthineveryHutprimaryhealthcare programme,involvingover
8500 households,supportingmore than34 000 people hasestablishedaremarkable footprintof
community involvementandaninfrastructure whichiscapable of supplyinghighlyprofessional
servicesinthe Hobeni District.
A furtherdevelopment forthe Foundation istosupportthisinitiativebyembarkingonaprogramme
to increase householdfoodandincome production,basedontraditionalsystemsandinfusing
appropriate climate smart,environmentallysustainable technologyandmanagementpractises,
whichwill increase foodandincome.
The DWF centre can become aplatformforintensificationof foodproduction,increasinghousehold
income,creatingagribusinessenterprisesandaggregatinglarge numbersof small unitproduction
intoa significanteconomicscale,toaddresspovertyandunderemploymentinthe Hobeni District.
A crucial perspective of the programme isthatwhile immediate actionisbeingtakenonpressing
issues,attentionisgiventolongertermplanningovera20 year scenario.Thisrecognisesthe social
impactof displacedurbanismon the traditionalrural societyandthe requirementtoenhance
14. 14
traditional systemstosupportthe newlydevelopingsociety,whileretainingthe richheritage and
indigenousknowledge.
The programme callsfor active participationof anumberof stakeholders,facilitatedbyDWFand the
communityleadershipinprovidingthe supporttoenable thisprogramme toundergirdanew model
of urbanisingrural development.
