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