A recently completed SASRI project has produced useful resources to help extension personnel convey important soil conservation information to the small-scale sugarcane farming sector.
It is estimated that 87, 522 ha of farming land is affected by gully erosion in KZN. Between 2008 and 2011, soil erosion (and therefore soil degradation) increased by 44% in KZN. While this estimate covers all sectors and not just small-scale growers SSGs, soil degradation is significantly in SSG regions (Mkhabela, 2002) and is therefore a major concern.
SSGs will be better positioned to produce yields that are economical if they are equipped to maximise the potential of their soils and to protect this precious resource from erosion/degradation. SASRI and the Department of Rural Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) Extension Specialists are well-placed to facilitate SSGs learning the importance of protecting their soils and generating income, in a responsible and sustainable manner. However, to do this, Extension Specialists themselves need a firm grasp of the fundamentals of soil conservation. Not all Extension Specialists have a background in soils and therefore may lack understanding of many fundamental aspects.
The SASRI project has produced the following resources:
- a compilation of reference material capturing fundamental concepts related to soil physics, soil fertility, and sustainable crop production,
- a set of 22 short videos demonstrating key concepts,
- guidelines for using the 22 videos and explanations of their contents, and
- guidelines for preparing and conducting practical demonstrations.
These resources will help to upskill SSG Extension Practitioners in foundational knowledge of soil conservation management and, with the use of teaching aids, demonstrate fundamental principles to enhance learning. In turn, these aids could be applied to enhance SSG appreciation of the value of soil conservation practices in their fields.
The next step will be to use these resources to train small-scale grower extension practitioners on how to use this material during grower events. This should include practical outdoor sessions to create awareness and demonstrate concepts discussed during the lectures. The outdoor sessions will also help identify signs of erosion, and to discuss the appropriate action to take in reducing the erosion risk.
For more information or to host this in your area, please contact your local Extension Specialist.
