A trailblazer and facilitator of the Port St Johns Agroecology Advocacy group, Ndoze Fadane called on recognition and support in this kind of farming. Agro-ecology is farming practice that works with nature not against it; it combines farming with ecological principles to produce food in a way that is sustainable, healthy and fair.
The young people and women from that small coastal town embarked on this kind of farming, nevertheless it lacks support since its inception. Recently young people who are in this kind of farming marched to the Port St Johns Local Municipality and Department of Agriculture demanding recognition and support.
Fadane, who mobilized other farmers practicing this kind of farming, described Agro ecology as an answer to so many social, economic and cultural issues. “If the people work the land, produce food and feed their families and sell the surplus so that they can make income…who will have time to go and steal from the neighbor? If we eat healthy food we become a healthy society. We don’t rely on outside help, we use what we have, and ask for cow manure from the neighbor if we don’t have cattle. This is what was practiced by our forefathers and they lived long healthy lives. The chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure were not common because the nutrition was good unlike nowadays,” said Fadane.
Ndoze also urged the government to look at this farming with an eagle eye and invest in it. The members of this advocacy group are just working voluntarily with no support or any sponsor. To reach out in this Port St Johns Advocacy Group just Whatsapp 083 753 4970 or email to [email protected].
