The maize production pilot project at Keiskamahoek has completed it initial period of three years. The major stakeholders of this project are the Agricultural Research Commission (ARC) based in Porchestroom, the Extension Services of the Amatola sub-region in Keiskamahoek, ELCSA-DS and most importantly the farmers at Mtwaku and Ndlovini. The extension services are responsible for the day-to-day management and monitoring of the project whereas the ARC is responsible for the training component of the project. ELCSA-DS is responsible for facilitation and project inputs. Initially 50 subsistence farmers were engaged in the project, there are now many more who have gained from the training, which centred around proper soil preparation, correct planting methods, correct use of fertilizer and insecticides and seed selection. The economic advantages of animal traction were also introduced and demonstrated in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture at Fort Hare.
The Agricultural
Research Council together with the Grain Crops Institute has introduced maize
mother/baby cultivars on an experimental trail bases with the aim to ensure
that resource-poor farmers have access to maize cultivars that are suited
to their specific faming conditions. This program targets increasing household
seed security.
Eight cultivars of open pollinated and four hybrid varieties were introduced
to the farmers. The model involved farmers in all stages of variety evaluation
and verification trials that were replicated on multiple sites under different
agro-ecological conditions and farming systems. The program is intended to
run for two to three seasons.
To encourage crop diversification farmers were also introduced to different
dry bean cultivars, in the form of demonstration trails. The aim with these
trials is to encourage dry bean cultivation and production and that with improved
cultivars and cultural practices enable participating farmers become self-sufficient
and produce beans they can sell for cash, as well, thus raising their standard
of living. There were eleven cultivars available to evaluate. Overall, farmers
and extension officers in the area have shown determination and commitment
to these trails and the project as a whole. Indeed, with the existing cooperation
between farmers and extension on the one hand and the tripartite partners,
the sustainability and future of this project is secured.
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