Lobbying: the art of the possible - BioWatch
- 1. Lobbying success on the ground Lawrence Mkhaliphi Biowatch Agro-Ecology Manager
- 2. Who is Biowatch South Africa? Founded in 1997 as an environmental and social justice NGO, we work with small-holder farmers, other civil society organisations and government to ensure that people have control over their food, agricultural practices and land within a bio-diverse, agro-ecological and sustainable system. Key focus areas: Biodiversity | Food Sovereignty | Biosafety | Social Justice Two-fold approach: Advocacy, research and networking Work on the ground with small-holder farmers
- 3. Advocacy, research and networking
- 4. Work on the ground with small-holder farmers
- 5. NO to GMOs NO to Industrial Agriculture YES to Seed and Food Sovereignty YES to Farmers Rights YES to Agro-Ecology
- 6. Small-holder farmers are marginalised: minimal government support no access to fencing no access to piped water
- 7. 1. Work with small-holder farmers training and support.
- 8. 2. Supply fencing to secure food gardens community erects fences. Need access to water.
- 9. 3. Seed ritual event showcase to local municipality, traditional leaders.
- 10. Lessons learnt Let local government see and hear what communities need. Identify and support community champions. Show what can be done producing much with little. Show government what they should be doing. Lobbying is as much about showing as it is about telling!
- 11. Empowering and partnering with small-holder farmers for REAL support on the ground.
- 12. Durban office Address: 23 Acacia Road, Glenwood, Durban 4001 Telephone: 031 206 2954 E-mail: biowatch@mweb.co.za Web: www. biowatch.org.za Mtubatuba office: Address: Oriole Centre, Jan Smuts Avenue, Mtubatuba Telephone: 035 550 3148 Cell: 074 688 7854 E-mail: bwsakzn@mweb.co.za