An innovative socio-economic-environmental model, encapsulating a unique approach to transform the livelihoods of poor rural communities, whilst restoring Africa’s wild spaces. Creating Community Conservancies which include high value Regenerative[1] Agri-wildlife businesses integrated with rural villages in South Africa and Africa is a real solution. The Conservancy based Regenerative Agri-Wildlife rural economy development model will be used to build the economies of initially the Loziba Community Conservancy site located in the Kwazulu Natal province of South Africa. The primary goal is to develop jobs and livelihoods in rural parts of Africa that are resilient to climate change, provide food security mechanisms, restore and Regenerate Biodiversity, provide enhanced Carbon sequestration mechanisms, and ultimately demonstrate that commercially sustainable development is possible, whilst the environment can be restored – so with a little care and a lot of regenerative agri-wildlife expertise and technology, People and Nature can be brought back into BALANCE. The business model will be supported with technology throughout, to enable ‘real time’ management of production processes, tracking and tracing of products from ‘farm to fork’, monitoring and measurement of regenerative and restorative processes, measurement of socio-economic impacts and job creation (Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs, ESGs, livelihood metrics), reduction in Carbon emissions / improved soil health, etc.

[1] Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. It focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting bio sequestration, increasing resilience to climate change, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil. Practices include recycling as much farm waste as possible and adding composted material from sources outside the farm.

Agreements are in place with the community to proceed with the proposed joint ownership and development programme, with both sites having already had initial investments in a range of community development aspects.

Ultimately a sustainable and profitable regenerative agri-wildlife micro-economy will be established, consisting of the following businesses:

1. Wildlife production[1] (game) farming (15000 hectares)+ and a business incubator – supporting supply chain enterprises.
2. Regenerative Community Cattle Farming[2] – using livestock to Regenerate rangelands, whilst producing organic red meat.
3. Eco-Farm[3] – climate smart, efficient, technology-driven food production business, including aquaculture[4] linking into Agri-Hubs for agro-processing, product distribution and supplying regenerative agri-wildlife materials (e.g. seed) and equipment to the Eco-Farms.
4. “Regenerated” open-field agriculture[5] – 800 hectares
5. Intensive regenerative vegetable production[6] – 160 hectares
6. Broad-ranging food security programmes
7. Development of small scale farmers (Out-growers) towards increasing levels of commercial production

[1] Wildlife production includes restoration of nature and restocking of wild spaces with wildlife, for breeding and farming purposes.

[2] Regenerative Community Cattle Farming improving the quality and productivity of community cattle herds, whilst using the herds to restore biodiversity.

[3] Eco-Farm a system of food production utilising “science, nature and technology” to produce a basket of nutritious food to feed 2000 people 3 meals/day for 365 days a year irrespective of weather conditions, especially drought

[4] Aquaculture – A system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, efficiently producing nutritious fish and vegetables

[5] Regenerative Row Crop production is the production of maize (corn), soya, barley, sorghum and fodder crops under the same principles of regeneration, leading to carbon sequestration on a large scale due to the improvement of soil health.

[6] Intensive regenerative vegetable production is the intensive production (2 to 3 crops/year/ha) operated under the principles of regeneration, minimum till, bio-agronomy, crop rotation, permanent cover and sound water management while improving the soil health and thereby, improving the nutrient density of the produce.

An extensive community stakeholder engagement process, community capacity-building and support process through consultation and coalition workshops; as well as a comprehensive community capacity building and skills transfer strategy are key enablers and makes full participation in the employment, small enterprises and other economic opportunities possible for rural African people. The programmes will involve both commercial farming and Out-growers[1].

[1] Outgrowers – small scale farmers that have progressed from food production in back yards to early stage commercial food production, and in time to produce the inputs for the Eco-Farm (i.e. barley, day-old chicks, weaners, etc.)

The energy requirements of the businesses will be provided through a renewable energy solution, tailor-made to each site’s requirements.

The water provision strategy will also be determined through each site’s needs, and will be provided through a combination of what is called Deep Seated Water (DSW – water located below shallow aquifers) and normal boreholes that tap into shallow aquifers. This will ensure that agricultural activities are sustainable and do not negatively affect potable water supply for human consumption

Author: James Arnott