Lobbying success “on the ground”

Lawrence MkhaliphiBiowatch Agro-Ecology Manager

Who is Biowatch South Africa? Founded in 1997 as an environmental and social justice NGO,

we work with small-holder farmers, other civil society organisations and government

to ensure that people have control over their food, agricultural practices and land within a bio-diverse,

agro-ecological and sustainable system.

Key focus areas:Biodiversity | Food Sovereignty | Biosafety | Social Justice

Two-fold approach:• Advocacy, research and networking• Work on the ground with small-holder farmers

• Advocacy, research and networking

• Work “on the ground” with small-holder farmers

NO to GMOs

NO to Industrial Agriculture

YES to Seed and Food Sovereignty

YES to Farmers’ Rights

YES to Agro-Ecology

Small-holder farmers are marginalised:• minimal government

support• no access to fencing• no access to piped

water

1. Work with small-holder farmers – training and support.

2. Supply fencing to secure food gardens – community erects fences.

Need access to water.

3. Seed ritual event– showcase to local municipality, traditional leaders.

Lessons learnt

• Let local government see and hear what communities need.

• Identify and support community “champions”.

• Show what can be done – producing much with little.

• Show government what they should be doing.

Lobbying is as much about “showing” as it is about “telling”!

Empowering and partnering with small-holder farmers for

REAL support “on the ground”.

Durban office

Address: 23 Acacia Road, Glenwood, Durban 4001

Telephone: 031 206 2954

E-mail: biowatch@mweb.co.za

Web: www. biowatch.org.za

Mtubatuba office:

Address: Oriole Centre, Jan Smuts Avenue, Mtubatuba

Telephone: 035 550 3148

Cell: 074 688 7854

E-mail: bwsakzn@mweb.co.za