The above-mentioned practices are those identified by the respondents as the
preferred practices they utilise in their farming. These practices are shared with those
interested in agricultural practices through knowledge transfer activities that are
described subsequently.
9.7
Knowledge Transfer Activities and Enhancement
of Community Through Innovation
Indigenous knowledge systems have been critical to the development of both
primary and secondary agriculture in South Africa, enhancing grassroots innovation
for food security and improving the quality of life. In this section, the aim was to
explore how the respondents engage in actively sharing the knowledge that they
have acquired and the methods they used to share this knowledge. The sharing of
knowledge and ideas enables the community to expand in their agricultural practices
and learn new methods of farming. The sharing of knowledge ignites innovation in
the field. Looking at the responses it has become evident that the participants valued
sharing their knowledge, skills, and experiences. One hundred per cent (100%) of
the respondents participated in knowledge sharing initiatives. Below are the methods
and platforms that are used for knowledge sharing, learning, and exchanging ideas.
The respondents are part of forums which they called study groups. These
platforms are initiated, established, and introduced to a farmer community in a
specific geographical area by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (GDARD). After the establishment of the study group, the farmers of
that particular cluster are responsible for the operations of the study group. The
farmers then take over the organising of the meeting and a committee is elected to
handle the administrative matters. The meetings group, for example, Refilwe township will have a chapter of the study group and Hammanskraal township will
also have its own chapter. If the geographic area is large like Winterveld or
Soshanguve townships, for example, there are multiple chapters that are created.
All the respondents indicated that they participate in the study group and chapters
that are conducted locally.
The occurrence of the meetings is different from one area to the next, for example,
in Cullinan, Bronkhorstspruit, and Hammanskraal, the respondents indicated that the
meetings occur once a month, whereas the other respondents indicated that the
meeting occurs bi-monthly. In Hammanskraal the researcher visited three farms
and each farmer from each of those farms attended different study groups although
they are eight kilometres apart. According to the respondents, the frequency of the
meeting is determined by the participants of each group and the attendance by a
member of the group is voluntary. This platform serves as a place for networking,
idea sharing, and learning and where the best practices are shared and improved.
Furthermore, farmers are able to identify and share business opportunities with each
other.
In rural areas, there are various community forums that are conducted. These
forums are organised by community leaders or community members when there are
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preferred practices they utilise in their farming. These practices are shared with those
interested in agricultural practices through knowledge transfer activities that are
described subsequently.
9.7
Knowledge Transfer Activities and Enhancement
of Community Through Innovation
Indigenous knowledge systems have been critical to the development of both
primary and secondary agriculture in South Africa, enhancing grassroots innovation
for food security and improving the quality of life. In this section, the aim was to
explore how the respondents engage in actively sharing the knowledge that they
have acquired and the methods they used to share this knowledge. The sharing of
knowledge and ideas enables the community to expand in their agricultural practices
and learn new methods of farming. The sharing of knowledge ignites innovation in
the field. Looking at the responses it has become evident that the participants valued
sharing their knowledge, skills, and experiences. One hundred per cent (100%) of
the respondents participated in knowledge sharing initiatives. Below are the methods
and platforms that are used for knowledge sharing, learning, and exchanging ideas.
The respondents are part of forums which they called study groups. These
platforms are initiated, established, and introduced to a farmer community in a
specific geographical area by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (GDARD). After the establishment of the study group, the farmers of
that particular cluster are responsible for the operations of the study group. The
farmers then take over the organising of the meeting and a committee is elected to
handle the administrative matters. The meetings group, for example, Refilwe township will have a chapter of the study group and Hammanskraal township will
also have its own chapter. If the geographic area is large like Winterveld or
Soshanguve townships, for example, there are multiple chapters that are created.
All the respondents indicated that they participate in the study group and chapters
that are conducted locally.
The occurrence of the meetings is different from one area to the next, for example,
in Cullinan, Bronkhorstspruit, and Hammanskraal, the respondents indicated that the
meetings occur once a month, whereas the other respondents indicated that the
meeting occurs bi-monthly. In Hammanskraal the researcher visited three farms
and each farmer from each of those farms attended different study groups although
they are eight kilometres apart. According to the respondents, the frequency of the
meeting is determined by the participants of each group and the attendance by a
member of the group is voluntary. This platform serves as a place for networking,
idea sharing, and learning and where the best practices are shared and improved.
Furthermore, farmers are able to identify and share business opportunities with each
other.
In rural areas, there are various community forums that are conducted. These
forums are organised by community leaders or community members when there are
202
J. Seko et al.