South African farmers trained in organic ag to boost food, income stability

Fifty small-scale farmers in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province have been taught how to farm organically by non-governmental organization Valley Trust. The farmers learn to plant seasonal crops that will provide their families both with food security and an opportunity to generate income by selling their produce at local markets.

"We decided to promote organic farming to create sustainability for small-scale farmers. We believe it is the only way to give them food sovereignty and stability,” a trainer said. The NGO used to cooperate with the government’s ag program, but broke away due to pressure to use GMO seeds with incentives to get the needed fertilizers, irrigation and seeds.  Full story: African Agriculture