The DIVAGRI research project at the University of Stellenbosch is partnering with Stellenbosch Municipality to test seven bio-based technologies on 8 hectares of land in Lynedoch.
The research project, that is funded by the European Union, has obtained a lease with the Stellenbosch Municipality to transform 8 hectares of fallow land next to farmland into an experimental farm. This month the two parties will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding cementing the partnership.
The Lynedoch experimental farm is one of many demonstration sites that have been created on the African continent to test the bio-based technologies. The other participating countries include: Namibia, Mozambique, Ghana and Botswana.
Also involved in the project at Lynedoch are five small farmer cooperatives that are organized into a secondary cooperative called Stellenbosch Farmer Production Support Unit (Stellenbosch FPSU). Selected farmers from these member cooperatives will partner with the DIVAGRI project to trial these bio-based technologies on the 8 hectare site.
“The aim of the research project is two-fold,” says technical manager of the research project Mr Henk Stander. “We want to test if these bio-based technologies will make farmers more productive and also use less environmental resources.”
The seven technologies that are too be tested include: a clay-based drip irrigation system, a constructed wetland, a desalination greenhouse, the intercropping of different vegetables, a biorefinery that produces mushrooms, a biokiln that produces biochar and a biodigester that produces biogas.
The University has already trialed the first five technologies on the Welgevallen Experimental Farm at the University. They are now in the process of acquiring a biokiln and biodigester to see if these two technologies can also be beneficial. “We had to first test the technologies ourselves to see if they were any unforeseen risks for the farmers,” says Mr Stander. “We will only trial those technologies on the Lynedoch site that are viable for the farmers.”
The farmer cooperatives have been visiting the University site and are already acquainted with the technologies. “We are very excited about this project because it opens up so many possibilities,” says Stellenbosch FPSU chairperson Mr Joe Barends. “Through this project we aim to start a knowledge learning centre for small farmers on the Lynedoch site.”
Based on the research generated by the pilot sites, the international DIVAGRI research team are producing training manuals that will provide farmers with guidance on how to implement the technologies. Training will be offered to the farmers on the Lynedoch site.
Commenting on the importance of the MoU for the Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor Joseph Joon says: “We are delighted that Stellenbosch University’s DIVAGRI research project will be offering training to the Lynedoch farmers and assisting them with trialing these technologies. This forms part of our vision to promote transformation in Stellenbosch and assist with land reform among the emerging farmers in the Stellenbosch Municipality.”