Pabalelo Trust

CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE (CA)

Why CA?

Food production in the Panhandle region poses many challenges, from drought and erratic rainfall, poor and sandy soils, to livestock and wildlife interference. Because we partner with community members who largely depend on subsistence food production as their primary livelihood, most do not have access to expensive solutions such as mechanized irrigation and fertilizers. Conservation agriculture offers a way of improving soil health and water retention, and thereby crop yield, in an environmentally sustainable, climate-friendly way, without expensive equipment or chemicals. 

BACKYARD GARDENS

Why Gardens?

Alhough food production is a primary livelihood in the Panhandle region, various reasons prevent many community members from engaging in dry-land agriculture. Changes in land use policies have relocated agricultural fields far away from village centres. Household demands, particularly for women, can further disincentive them from engaging in dry-land agriculture. Backyard gardens offer an opportunity for year-round food production, as well as income generation, at home.

DEMONSTRATION PLOTS

Why Demonstration Plots?

The farmers we work with face many challenges including erratic rainfall, drought, wildlife conflict, couch grass (Cynodon dactilon) infestation, poor and sandy soils, free-roaming cattle and goats which result in shortage of crop residue for mulch, and a variety of desert climate pests. Still, their courage, resilience, and dedication inspire us. Though we work alongside farmers to find solutions, we also pilot new methods to address these challenges and identify marketable crops in our own fields and gardens before bringing them to our communities.