Page 56 - KGR 2020 Review Book

KURHULA COMMUNITY FARM

The landscape surrounding the Massingir area contains ample water and
nutrient-rich soils idealistic for agriculture. The fertile soils, permanent water
sources along with abundant game appealed to the Shangaan people who
settled in the area over 300 years ago relying on substance farming and
bushmeat hunting. Living off the land and natural resources, the human
populations thrived and grew. However, as human populations increased, the
demand for food also increased and wildlife populations began to become
depleted from the increased hunting pressure. Additional natural pressures
also threatened their livelihoods as crops were regularly lost as a result of
unexpected flooding of the Massingir Dam.

Bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa, this productive section of
Mozambique was labeled as a priority area for conservation in its own right
and the land was sectioned off and protected. In addition, with dwindling
wildlife populations and a growing human population, bushmeat hunters
began focusing on the protected areas and turning to illicit poaching as a
A Kurhula Community Farm employee checking the moisture levels of the tomatoes source of income. Interviews and surveys conducted by Karingani within the
November 2020 neighbouring communities revealed that members of the communities typically
resort to poaching as a means of financial survival and to provide food for
their families as a result of limited to no viable employment opportunities.
Interviewees expressed that if there were opportunities for employment
earning an honest and reliable income, they would choose legitimate
employment over poaching as poaching risks not only criminal charges, but
their very lives as well.
By preventing poachers from having access to Kruger and the protected game
in the area, a conflict ensued between Karingani and the Cubo community
lasting nearly six years. The resolution came in the form of a unique partnership.
Utilising scientific methods and cutting-edge technology Karingani, in
partnership with the Cubo community initiated the Kurhula Community Farm
project. An innovative agriculture project which not only created employment
opportunities for the local communities, including a number of ex-poachers,
but also produced food and additional revenue for the Cubo community.
Furthermore, the Kurhula Community Farm project aims to not just supply
food and income to the Cubo community, but also to provide great training
possibilities to the members of the Cubo community on every aspect of
farming, fostering skills in the implementation process, budget preparations
Spraying the tomato crops with fertiliser
November 2020 and planning, business plan and agricultural operations and routes to market