Elim Workshop Proceedings: Improving coordination and integration of agricultural land use in restitution areas of Makhado Municipality

Abstract

On 29 August and 01 September 2011 the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in conjunction with Nkuzi Development Association held two workshops with local stakeholders in the case study area of Elim and surrounds. These workshops form part of a larger study being conducted by the CSIR which looks at building sustainable agrarian social ecological systems through an integrative landscape approach. There was more than one purpose to these workshops. The academic and technical purpose of the workshops was to discuss coordination and integration of agricultural land use, in order to identify what has worked, what is desirable and what options exist for improving coordination and integration of agricultural land use in order to support food security and income generation without degrading the environment. The second purpose relates more to the social co-learning among stakeholders during the workshop. By creating and facilitating the exchange and sharing of knowledge and experiences, the stakeholders, through participating in the workshop, had an opportunity to learn more about their neighbours, their challenges and hopes and plans for the future. It also gave them the opportunity to learn that their neighbours share some of the obstacles they face and that by thinking together and combining their knowledge, suitable and relevant ideas can emerge that are to the benefit of all.