Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDSA)

Managing Institute:
Farm Africa

Contractor:
Farm Africa

Project Code: 059-508-006 059-599-005	Start Date: 01-May-93	End Date: 31/10/1996
Commitment: £287,500	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Multi-Funded

Project Background:
The Institute for Social Development (ISD) is part of the University of the Western Cape (UWC). In early 1991 a broad proposal for a project to support the disadvantaged smallholder farmers of the Western Cape Region A (which stretches from the Namibian border southeast to George and Knysna in the South Cape) and community vegetable growers in the rural reserves and black townships of the Cape Town Metropolitan area, was drawn up by Dr David Catling following discussions with the ISD and FARM-Africa.

The University of the Western Cape was set up in 1959 for those classified as "coloured" (of mixed race). The University now has some 13,000 students, with an increasing proportion of Africans, some Indians and a few whites.

The Western Cape is characterised by great physical diversity and extreme conditions. It stretches from the temperate south coast to the sub-tropical climate of the northern Cape. Arable farming is mainly restricted to South West Cape, the southern coastal plain, and in the vicinity of boreholes and dams. The dry interior supports large flocks of sheep and goats, with communal grazing. Some game farming is practised. Overgrazing is an historical problem in Namaqualand; between 1974 and 1984 the carrying capacity of the land was halved.

Farms are small, poorly provided with implements, far from significant markets, and lack storage facilities. The ploughed area on the CRs is less than 1%; yields are always less than 1 tonne/ha. Only 8% of families have an income from arable farming.

Project Objectives:
The objective of the project is to improve the economic wellbeing of disadvantaged black rural communities. The project will contribute to the formation of agriculture, research, training and extension services.

Intended Outputs:
LDU staffed and functioning.

Surveys of existing farming practices and tests of new or adapted practices.

Socio-economic and agro-ecological databases.

Trained staff and farmers.

Modified small farm machinery.

Woodlots and fruit and shade trees.

Policy in the interest of an improved service to small scale farmers and growers is tabled at appropriate points for discussion.

X people receive agricultural development education and training opportunities.

More practitioners reached and trained in appropriate approaches and methods.

Appropriate reports and factsheets for decision makers, practitioners, researchers and farmers published.

Sufficient agricultural specialists knowledge, service and contracts available to supplement LDU expertise.

X small scale farmers are introduced in a participatory proposal to Y appropriate options.

A network of appropriate non-agricultural resource people available to grass roots projects.

LDU is sustainable.

Confident and skilled small scale farmers and growers. Institutional support and management abilities strengthen their farming.