Agriculture
Agriculture is inherent to the solid foundation of any healthy society, and is an integral and essential form of production that sustains and nourishes the people that manage it. In its simplicity, agriculture should focus on the health of the Soils, the variety and specific companionship of plants with respect to ecosystems and the people who consume the produce that is created. Relying on a firm understanding and knowledge of natural cycles and ecological processes, and adapting the biodiversity to the ever-changing needs of the society, agriculture forms an integral part of positive growth and abundance in produce. Through embracing Traditional Knowledge and integrating advanced technology, we advocate the use of Organic and Non-Chemical input and methods of production.
The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrector, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.
― Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture
Our Objectives
The Healing Africa Foundation is focused on developing and implementing a number of Key Objectives. These include creating successful pilot projects that focus on Soil Rehabilitation, promoting Biodiversity and Organic Plant Production through holistic landscape regeneration methodologies that support small scale farmers in South Africa. We instill good Governance and Accountability towards the environment, the people and land utilised, through a managed and Transparent Process. We aim to provide the knowledge base and skills transfer necessary to achieve this, through regional training centers and hubs of excellence across South Africa. We aim to enhance income generation for underprivileged people through an enterprise development framework that supports local economic development and mutually beneficial relationships with a multitude of Stakeholders. We are fully focused on spreading awareness and disseminating essential information on the benefits of non-chemical and GMO Free farming practices and towards promoting the production of natural agricultural inputs.
Research and Development
We are intimately engaged with ongoing research into empirical studies of sustainable agriculture, agroecology and Permaculture Practices, and the successful integration of applicable technologies. Through our strategic partnerships and Collaborations with local Universities, technical institutions and certified experts in their respective fields, we have access to cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills. We further develop and manage databases and baseline study information to form thorough needs analysis based on local environmental and economic factors.from all constituents and create effective communication strategies that increase the synergy and scope of projects across all partners.
Outcomes
From the implementation of projects and programs, we establish the skills centers and incubation hubs that will effectively engage with the community, and identify ‘Guardians’ who become members of the Foundation and form part of the Steering and Subcommittee teams. We further identify the Demonstration Sites and create applicable Pilot Projects in local communities through our sustainable investment plans. We believes an essential aspect to the successful growth of any agricultural project is to provide much needed support towards effective Business Plan Development and introduce income generation models. Focus is also given towards providing formalised channels for entrepreneurs within the field of agriculture and supporting services, to develop and build relationships between private and government funding opportunities.
Benefits of Organic:
- Yield increase – up to 64% (Note: our claim up to 350% possible)
- Energy savings – reduced tillage and no synthetic input
- Greenhouse gas emission – low carbon footprint, reduction of CO2 estimated at 40%
- Water use – living soil with proper cover, less water (Note: 75% has been recorded)
- Reduction of input – up to 60%
- Increase of biodiversity – restoring nature
- Nutritional benefits – reducing health care costs (Note: Cuba exports medical doctors)
- Job creation – more hands are needed (Note: on farm: + 32%; supply chain: our claim reduction of 2, creation of 8, gain 6)
- Economic empowerment – keeping money for longer in the community