Report on winter crops at Manyeding Primary Agricultural Co-operative

Manyeding village in John TaoloGaetsewe

District Municipality

December 2011

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INDEX

Activity Page No.

1. Purpose of the trials 3

2. The labour and management 4

3. The farm 5

4. Crops grown 7

Garlic 8

Onions 8

Peas 9

Herbs 9

Garlic chives 9

Common chives 9

Sage 9

Chervil 9

Thyme 9

Rosemary 9

Lavender 9

Parsley 9

Marjoram &Oreganum 9

Peppers 10

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General 10

5. A short history 11

6. Summery of crops planted 14

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1. Purpose of the trials:

1.1 Training experience for workers on site.1.1.1 The farming experience and what is required by the members of a farming project.1.1.2 Physical commitment required by an individual.1.1.3 Working with different crops on a large scale and in an organic method.1.1.4 Recognition of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies.1.1.5 Control measures organically and spraying with organically safe chemicals.1.1.6 Hygiene on the farm; care of tools, equipment and general site cleanliness.1.1.7 Discipline and rules.1.1.8 Understanding of the organic approach to farming and recording required.

1.2 Management understanding of skills, commitment, discipline and knowledge availability amongst workers.

1.3 Identification of potential leaders.

1.4 Training required.

1.5 Gain experience of the farm. Identify characteristics i.r.o. the soils, water, drainage, pests, diseases and weeds.

1.6 Establish best soil preparation and cultivation techniques and future practices.

1.7 Plant a wide range of vegetables to ascertain:1.7.1 Local cultivation requirements.1.7.2 Pest, disease and nutrient sensitivities in our area. 1.7.3 Potential for economically viable crops.1.7.4 Crops with most potential in the future.

1.8 On-going research into improving crops by:1.8.1 Improved fertilizer programmes.1.8.2 Pest, disease, nutrient control.1.8.3 Cultivar selection.1.8.4 Weeding techniques1.8.5 Improved cultivation techniques

1.9 Recording of all land and crop treatments as demanded by Organic Method

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2. The labour and management

2.1 General:

The labour was drawn from the local community and beneficiaries. The beneficiaries have rights to the land granted them by tribal authority. Most of these people have no background in agriculture or what is required physically or intellectually to run a successful large scale farming operation. When I arrived the skills, discipline, productivity and work ethic were pitiful.

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At this stage we still have a good team and most of the individuals are competent at their own level. Most of this team have the ability and interest to be trained, though after these after a year of broken promises e.g. Dept. of Agriculture, members are becoming downhearted.

2.2 Discipline:Simply put, when I arrived there was none. Starting and knock off times were ignored. Lunch

breaks were extended by up to 50% and regularly individuals did not return after meals but were there to sign in at the end of the day.

Farm management felt that as we could not depend upon the steering committee for help with discipline issues we needed a management body, and this was set up and included the older and more mature workers. A set of farm rules was introduced and there was an outcry from about 30 % of the workers and we were told we were treating them unfairly.

The rules however worked and starting times etc. were complied with, though we still had individuals who complained unendingly and caused discord on the site.

The farm management committee didn’t really work for when it came to exerting authority the members were not strong enough, with the exception of a few. The committee (though it still exists in name), effectively fell apart as its’ authority was eroded by the Steering Committee and the new Organimark management structure.

After the summer trials were completed 11 of the team were retrenched having no work and three members resigned, taking our number down to 18 from the original 46. This team worked very well and a sense of camaraderie developed. This broke down somewhat as the promised commercialization did not happen.

The latest unreasonable pay demands from the group as a whole is not typical of the present team, but stems from frustration of not knowing what is to happen and broken promises mentioned earlier.

There has through the year been a consistent improvement in discipline and commitment

2.3 Productivity:There has been a significant increase in productivity due to improved techniques of planting,

weeding and management. We are doing almost as much work with less than half of the original team.

2.4 Management:The team system no longer exists as it did, for with the exception of weeding, teams are

made up on a daily basis to do the work required.

2.5 Conclusions:There exists a need for continued improvement which can be achieved with fair and understanding

but robust management.

2.5.1 Better selection of potential farmers.

2.5.2 Training at a basic level for what is expected of a farmer and what they can expect physically when joining a farming project.

2.5.3 Training in co-operation skills.

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2.5.4 Training in the skills of supervision and basic management.

2.5.5 Trial periods before farmers become either permanent or semi-permanent. One month, three months, six months then to one year.

2.5.6 Short term contracts (max one year) until all wobbles are ironed out.2.5.7 Rules and disciplinary procedures governed and imposed by the community itself, who

themselves need training in how professional businesses are run. Their existing mentality of procrastination which leads to failure must change.

2.5.8 THIS WILL TAKE MUCH TIME AND PATIENCE, but we do have the makings of a competent work force

Team photo

3. The farm.

In a previous report on the summer crops substantial information on the soils, water and challenges was supplied.

Shortly to recap:3.1 The soil is a sandy loam varying in depth from 500mm to 2000mm. Our own survey of soil

depth has confirmed this. The deepest soil is on the Northern and North Western sides. Outcrops of rock occur close to the surface (200mm) all over the land though there are fewer outcrops in the North and North West.

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3.2 During last summer the water table rose to above ground level close to the dam (50 to 100m), decreasing proportionately farther away from the dam. Fifteen hundred metres from the dam the water table is at about 1800mm.

3.3 It is interesting to note that whereas the water table is now roughly 600mm below where it stood 9 months ago the level of the dam has remained constant over the 13 months I have been here. This indicates that the high water table during the wet season is more influenced by rainfall runoff than leakage from the dam.

3.4 The pH of the soil and water is high (about 8) but this is not due to Sodium Chloride. The water can be effectively treated to reduce the pH and crops tolerant of a high pH can be

successfully cultivated.

3.5 Climate: The findings of the Kibbutzsa group who in 2004 after studying the weather records over the previous 13 years at Kuruman station, concluded that ‘the temperatures are not extreme and compare favourably with the temperatures of Vaalhartz and Taung Irrigation Schemes where a wide variety of crops are produced twelve months of the year.

These findings have been corroborated by Dr Hannes Coetzee a private consultant as well Dr Petrus Langenhoven from Stellenbosch University, who are both of the opinion that by ridging the soil, the soil depth will be sufficient to successfully cultivate many different vegetable and shallow rooted crops.

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The biggest smile in town

4. Crops grown.

Details of the crops grown are shown in the summary.

4.1 Garlic: Variety: Giant Pink purchased from SA Garlic Growers Tel., Carl 082 828 2426.

We planted later than we ought have (18 April to 4 May) and germination occurred within five days. Cold weather set in within three weeks of planting and throughout the winter there was almost no growth. Growth began again in mid August and plant growth was consistantly even until end October when bulbs began to develop on the stem. This was accompanied by a drying out of the plants above ground and we harvested the crop during the last two weeks of November.

As for all the crops grown the garlic varied considerably in size and height from bed to bed and from metre to metre in the beds.

We sprayed weekly with Mobon (30g/10l water), Calmobon (30 mls/10l water) and Biogrow(30 to 60 mls/ 10l water), for trace element deficiencies (alternating weekly).

Shortly after winter as the weather warmed up we noticed blue/green mould on the roots causing some dieback. We immediately commenced spraying Talborne Kannar 940 at 60 mls/10l water once a week. We managed to control the fungus and root development later was healthy and strong.

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We top dressed twice, once with Tola compost (2 tonnes/ha) in early August, and once in September with Terra Nova (1 tonne/ha) in late September.

The total crop harvested was 1512kg of which 25% were large (golf ball), 34% medium and 41% small (lollipop).

Harvesting took place from 2011.11.18 to 2011.11.30.This projects to 6 tonnes/ha. 15 tonnes and up to 18 tonnes/ha is considered possible.Future plantings should be completed end March and spacing between plants in the row should be

10 to 15 cms. Between rows 20cms. In an improved soil crops of 12 to 15 tonnes/ha are possible.Best market prices are during the cold months, thus planting in tunnels should be explored.

4.2 Onions: Variety: Texas Grano. Seed from Hygrotech.

Planting was done between the 10th and 25th of May just before the onset of the cold weather. Germination and initial growth was very slow to the extent that we thought we had lost the crop. In August growth took off and indications at present are that we will achieve a crop equivalent to about 60 tonnes/ha, which can be considered a very good crop.

We had no pests and diseases of any significance and as with the garlic we top dressed twice with the same fertilizers at the same rates.

We began harvesting the crop when some plants started bolting, in early December a result I believe of water stress and competition for nutrients due to the close planting. Harvesting will continue until the end of December.

In future we should plant earlier to try to get to market earlier as prices are now very low.

4.3 Peas: Varieties: Green feast and Sugar pod. Seed from Hygrotech.

Planted mid May and slow to germinate in winter. Again from August growth took off and first flowers were noticed mid August and first fruit were picked towards the beginning of September. Plant growth and crop was good but we had planted the peas as a green manure and they were ploughed in towards the end of September.

This crop has a place in the future of the project as both a green manure and a fresh crop.

4.4 Herbs: Seeds from Seedcor/Hygrotech.

4.4.1 Garlic chives. Planted direct December 2010 and very slow, only producing a usable crop after winter in late August. Died right back in the winter but bulbs survived. They should now be cut and topdressed, then split as I believe splits will be quicker than seed.

4.4.2 Common chives. Planted direct the same time as the onions and again slow in winter, but growing well after the winter. They are at present healthy and could be cut down and split to increase beds.

4.4.3 Sage. Planted direct just before winter. Slow till after winter then fairly quick. Germinated evenly and could at present be lightly cropped, but should stay in place through next winter.

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4.4.4 Chervil. Planted direct just before winter. After winter very fast reaching maturity in August. A salad herb with a faint liquorice taste. Only lasted 6 weeks but would be much longer if cut back regularly for harvest.

4.4.5 Thyme. Planted direct just before winter. Slow to start but germination percentage ultimately good. Transplanted to two new beds with reasonable success. Transplanting technique good but not enough care used so only about 50% of the transplants survived. Could have been harvested and sold for the last three months.

4.4.6 Rosemary. Planted mature plants during the winter. They are very happy and didn’t blink during the cold weather.

4.4.7 Lavender. Comments as for rosemary, but lavender is quicker and can be harvested more prolifically and sooner.

4.4.8 Parsley. Planted after winter on 19th August and they germinated evenly within 10 days. They have grown well and were ready for harvest in two months.

4.4.9 Marjoram and Oreganum. Planted after winter in late August and germination was poor, and uneven. Some of the Marjoram has survived in the seedbeds but the crops should be planted in a light soil and not too deep with careful watering and out of the wind.

4.4.10 Peppers. Planted into seedbeds twice and both times the soil crusting caused the germinating seed to turn back into the soil and die. Needs a light soil and to be planted no more than 2 to 3mm deep.

4.4.11 General. Herbs can be grown successfully on the project but we need to improve our techniques of planting and care. Herb seed is small and it is very easy to make mistakes in planting especially when planting direct.

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Chives under winter ice

5. A short history:

Cultivation at Manyeding on the black soil began with water from the eye began in about 1922. This development expanded gradually to more level land and Skema was founded in 1945 as the population increased. Over this period, with the help of the Department of Agriculture (DoA) in Taung an earthern furrow was dug transporting water to the present site. The planting of the existing bluegums also commenced at this time.

Between 1934 and 1947 the existing dam at Skerma was built and into the early 1950s the concrete channels in the land were constructed. The project by fenced by contractors appointed by the DoA and supervised by Messrs Eloff and Schoeman who stayed at the farm ‘Wesselsvlei’.

Farming skills were first tought by the first agricultural extension officers; Messrs Itoleng, Kheswa and Batshe from Taung and local residents of Taung. Apparently agricultural officers came from as far afield as the Eastern Transvaal to help.

The first crops planted included mielies, watermelons, bean varieties, pumpkins and beetroot in summer and wheat, cabbages, peas and lentils in winter.

Beyond where the dam water could reach various crops (mielies, watermelons and others) were planted ‘droe land’ being dependant only on the rainfall.

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Esther’s onions

Ploughing was done by horses, oxen and donkeys though horses tired quickly and oxen and donkeys were preferred.

In about 1982 a rice project was initiated by a group of Taiwanese who used the existing infrastructure to create rice paddies. This project ended in about 1989 shortly after the Orientals left.

During the 1990s a few attempts were made to get the project going again but they never survived on a large scale. Farming was however continued by the locals and some of the existing members of the project recall working the land in their childhood.

In 2005 a new dam was built and the existing plastic pipeline laid. The proposed scheme for large scale butternut and beetroot planting and processing failed after funding dried up.

Other schemes have been proposed since then but none was accepted until Organimark started work in 2010. Progress has been good and a committed team of about 25 is now working the land.

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Given time, leadership and further mentoring this group can I believe make a success of this project. I don’t doubt their commitment with some exceptions but more weeding out is necessary and new blood is required.

An organic beastie

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Developing new fields

7. Details of crops planted

Field Blck Bed Date Planted Crop Variety Germination Flowering Plough in Harvest Wght

1 A 1 2011.05.19 Peas Sugar pod 2011.06.02 2011.08.15 2011.10.05 2011.08.31 02 2011.05.19 Peas Sugar pod do do do3 2011.05.19 Peas Sugar pod do do do4 2011.03.01 Cabbage5 2011.05.01 Peas Sugar pod do do do

B 1 2011.05.13 OnionsTexas

grano(.5) 2011.05.20 2011.11.28 250

2 do OnionsTexas

grano(.5) do do 250

3 do OnionsTexas

grano(.5) do do 2504 2011.03.02 Cabbage5 2011.05.13 Onions Texas do do 250

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grano(.5)C 1 2011.05.16 Chives Common 2011.06.13

2 2011.05.16 Chives Common do3 2011.03.02 Cabbage4 2011.05.16 Chives Common do5 do Chives Common do

D 1 2011.03.02 Cabbage2 2011.05.13 Caliente Green manure 2011.05.20 2011.09.163 2011.03.02 Cabbage4 2011.03.13 Caliente Green manure do 2011.09.165 2011.05.13 Caliente Green manure do 2011.09.16

E 1 2011.05.19 Thyme Herb 2011.06.142 2011.05.19 Thyme Herb3 do Thyme Herb do4 do Thyme Herb do5 do Thyme Herb do

F 1 2011.05.05 Onions Texas grano 2011.05.12 5002 do Onions Texas grano do do3 do Onions Texas grano do do4 do Onions Texas grano do do5 do Onions Texas grano do do

G 1 2011.05.05 Peas Sugar pod 2011.05.17 2011.08.15 2011.09.162 do Peas Sugar pod do do do3 2011.05.19 Peas Green feast 2011.06.25 do do4 do Peas Green feast do do do5 do Peas Green feast do do do

H 1 2011.05.12 Onions Texas grano 2011.05.192 do Onions Texas grano do3 do Onions Texas grano do4 do Onions Texas grano do5 do Onions Texas grano do

I 1 2011.05.11 Nemat Green manure 2011.05.18 2011.08.162 do Nemat Green manure do do3 do Nemat Green manure do do4 do Nemat Green manure do do5 do Nemat Green manure do do

J 1 2011.05.11 Sage/Cervil Herb 2011.05.13 2011.11.152 2011.05.17 Cervil Herb do do3 Open4 Open5 Open

K 1 2011.05.05 Onions Texas grano 2011.05.132 do Onions Texas grano do3 do Onions Texas grano do4 do Onions Texas grano do5 do Onions Texas grano do

L 1 2011.05.17 Onions Texas grano 2011.05.272 do Onions Texas grano do3 do Onions Texas grano do4 do Onions Texas grano do5 do Onions Texas grano do

M 1 2011.05.19 Peas Green feast 2011.05.31 2011.08.15 2011.09.162 do Peas Green feast do do do3 do Peas Green feast do do do4 do Peas Green feast do do do5 do Peas Green feast do do do

N 1 2011.05.27 Peas Green feast 2011.06.14 do do

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2 do Peas Green feast do do do3 do Peas Green feast do do do4 do Peas Green feast do do do5 do Peas Green feast do do do

O 1 2011.05.27 Nemat Green manure 2011.06.03 2011.08.162 do Nemat Green manure do do3 do Caliente Green manure do do4 Open5 Open

P 1 2011.05.25 Onions Texas grano 2011.06.142 do Onions Texas grano do3 do Onions Texas grano do4 do Onions Texas grano do5 do Onions Texas grano do

Q 1 2011.05.20 Peas Green feast 2011.06.14 2011.09.162 do Peas Green feast do do3 do Peas Green feast do do4 do Peas Green feast do do5 do Peas Green feast do do

R 1 2011.05.26 Peas Green feast 2011.06.20 do2 do Peas Green feast do do3 do Peas Green feast do do4 do Peas Green feast do do5 do Peas Green feast do do

S 1 2011.05.25 Onions Texas grano 2011.06.142 do Onions Texas grano do3 do Onions Texas grano do4 do Onions Texas grano do5 do Onions Texas grano do

T 1 2011.05.25 Peas Green feast 2011.06.20 2011.09.162 do Peas Green feast do do3 Open4 Open5 Open

U 1 2011.02.24 Cabbage Open2 2011.02.24 Cabbage Open3 2011.02.24 Cabbage Open4 From Garlic 2011.04.23 2011.11.18 50.45 18.04.2011 Garlic do 40.1

V 1 to Garlic Garlic was do 50.62 03.05.2011 Garlic very quick and do 71.63 Garlic took about 5 do 81.74 Garlic days to do 72.45 Garlic germinate. do 37

W 1 Garlic do 21.42 Garlic do 46.23 Garlic do 35.64 Garlic do 445 Garlic do 29.8

X 1 Garlic do 31.72 Garlic do 65.23 Garlic do 61.24 Garlic do 58.95 Garlic do 48.6

Y 1 Garlic do 33.52 Garlic do 65.63 Garlic do 81.5

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4 Garlic do 88.45 Garlic do 56.1

Z 1 Garlic do 71.12 Garlic do 82.23 Garlic do 76.24 2011.04.18 Garlic do 64.35 2011.04.18 Garlic do 47.3

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Projected total crop of onions: 16 tonnes

Cabbage crop was v poor (def: Mo and B): 1.02 tonnes

Clement C. te Water Pohl

Mentor Farmer

B Sc (Agric.)Hort.

Organimark (Pty) Ltd.

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