Local food-security efforts have been bolstered thanks to the donation of a hydroponic greenhouse tunnel to the Living Soils Community Learning Farm at Spier this week.
The donation, valued at R220 000, was made by growing solutions provider Vegtech Netafim ahead of World Food Day (Wednesday 16 October). The initiative is part of the company’s 2024 outreach programme to promote precision agriculture and support community projects.
The Vegtech Netafim hydroponic greenhouse tunnels empower farmers and communities to grow fresh produce regardless of external factors such as climate and soil conditions.
The donation will boost the Stellenbosch farm’s agricultural yields and serve as a rich educational platform for the agricultural management interns, farm employees and managers, allowing them to explore precision agriculture techniques that promote sustainability and efficiency.
The tunnel is equipped with precision-farming technology that allows crops to be grown in a hydroponic medium, reducing water usage and increasing yield, a powerful combination that aligns with the principles of regenerative farming.
The Living Soils farm is a partnership project among Woolworths, Spier Wine Farm and the Sustainability Institute.
It aims to improve long-term food security by providing a space to educate and empower young and emerging farmers, particularly women and youth, in food and farming livelihoods.
The nutritious food that the farm grows is sold, exchanged and donated to stakeholders who provide direct food security initiatives to at-risk children and households
“As we approach World Food Day, this donation is particularly meaningful,” said Namhla Skweyiya, project manager at the Living Soils farm. The tunnel will allow the farm to grow a variety of vegetable crops, including tomatoes and peppers, in a partially controlled environment year-round. The technology enables farming in coir – an artificial hydroponic medium – rather than traditional soil, ensuring optimal growth conditions.
Additionally Vegtech Netafim has committed to providing high-level technical and agronomical support to the farm.
