Welcome to our October newsletter as we celebrate the warmer Spring weather after the equinox.
In this issue:
- The avian flu crisis: comment from suppliers
- Farmer Tip: Herbs for chickens
- #ChooseOrganic campaign
- SAOSO and PGS SA update
- Organic Agriculture Lifetime Award
- News from a PGS Farmer
- Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa 2023
The impact of the Avian flu crisis
As of mid-October, South Africa has culled about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain the outbreak of two separate strains of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that has created a poultry crisis and egg rationing at retailers. This represents about 20-30% of South Africa’s total chicken stock according to the South African Poultry Association and has cost producers an estimated R550-million. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development considers expediting a vaccination program to address the crisis, as well as importing eggs.
Local pasture raised and organic suppliers appear to be unaffected currently and we asked a few to comment.
Angus McIntosh from Farmer Angus Eggs operating out of Spier estate, Stellenbosch said: “We are fortunately at this stage unaffected by bird flu. This is the fourth time there has been bird flu around while we have been farming with chickens. We are doing what we have always done which is move our chickens every day to fresh pasture and clean the eggmobiles. The only change that we have made is that we are not allowing other people to come onto the chicken area of the farm, as well as boot hygiene and spraying vehicles down to tighten up biosecurity.” Angus has 21 eggmobiles currently.
Jason Cullen from Ganico Organic Estate in Gauteng said: “We are very fortunate to not be impacted at all for now. Our chickens are out in the open and are fed properly without GMO-feed, they have a very varied diet consisting of pomegranates, gooseberries, blackjacks, lettuces, edible weeds and flowers, which makes them healthier and stronger.”
Terry Georgiev from Eggcellent Eggs in the Overberg, Western Cape said: “We have not been affected at all because our chickens have unrestricted access to pasture throughout the day and we do not medicate them but use a mix of herbs and spices to boost their immune systems.” Terry’s 2,000 happy, healthy hens are part of a collaborative with other regenerative farmers in the area, totalling 7,500 hens.
Currently, Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) has been campaigning to phase out the injustice of the caged hen industry. Cage-free systems improve the lives of hens significantly, ensure healthier birds and cause less harm to the environment.
Farmer Tip: Herbs for chickens
One way of keeping pasture-raised flocks healthy is by using herbs to boost immunity. When chickens are free ranging in wide open spaces, they typically self-medicate with wild herbs. In the absence of this, farmers can add herbs to their flock’s feed or water. 
Terry from Eggcellent Eggs mixes up an animal herb powder which can be added to feed. It comprises of: Cayenne Pepper, Fenugreek, Ginger, Dandelion, Parsley, Turmeric, Red Clover, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Moringa, Garlic, Cinnamon and Hemp. Blend and grind well into a fine powder and add 1 heaped tablespoon per 10 litres of water. This can be added to the chickens’ feed.
She also suggests a chicken green smoothie if the chickens are stressed, for example due to a heatwave, which is a blend of fresh comfrey and the above herbs together with water.
According to Backyard Poultry, astragalus is one of the most beneficial herbs you can offer to your chickens on a regular basis as a preventative herb. In fact, a study done in 2013 states that astragalus helped prevent avian influenza and shortened the duration of the flu as well.
This 2013 study concluded that astragalus enhances chicken immunity and “can drastically reduce the proliferation of H9N2 virus”. It has the potential to diminish disease progression in infected chickens while providing an alternative strategy for the control of infection.
#ChooseOrganic campaign
The SAOSO and PGS SA team collaborated with Talborne Organics and other stakeholders to help drive consumer awareness of the benefits of organic food and products for human and environmental health.
Over the course of September we broadcast our campaign to hundreds of media, as well as organic suppliers, retailers and markets, to help spread the word about the benefits of organic.
You can read our press release on IOL here: https://www.iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/lifestyle/this-september-switch-to-organic-products-to-reduce-the-number-of-chemicals-in-your-diet-and-help-the-environment-5fb0be65-1453-4438-b87b-71935ae5d36b
With so much information to be shared that we have extended the campaign to continue running over October and November, to keep up the positive messaging about organics in SA.
Organisational Update
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR AGM: 24th November, 2023
For the last four years, SAOSO and PGS SA have represented South Africa as the country node of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture (KHSA). The KHSA is a collaborative country-led partnership managed by the Sustainability Institute forming part of the Knowledge Centres for Organic Agriculture (KCOA) project. The KHSA project aims to scale up the adoption of organic farming practices in the Southern African region over a four-year period (2019 – 2023). The KCOA comprises four other regional knowledge hubs: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa and Central Africa. In South Africa, the project aimed to expand the number of PGS groups in South Africa.
Achievements:
- Twenty-two new PGS groups were formed with one group outside of South Africa in Lesotho.
- Of these, 16 groups are full members of PGS SA representing 459 farmers.
- 165 farm visits were undertaken. Of these, 122 were certified organic or organic-in-conversion. The balance of the farm visits were rescheduled.
- By the end of the project, 59 Knowledge Products will have been created to support the work of the PGS Pollinators and broader network.
To see a map of all the PGS groups, please look here: www.pgssa.org.za/pollinator-map
Despite the fact that the project has now ended, we know that the PGS network that has been established will remain strong. These farmers choose to farm organically, caring for the soil and growing nutrient-dense, clean food in their communities.
SAOSO and PGS SA are pursuing other funding opportunities to support the network and increase the number of farmers wishing to enter the PGS family. Should you wish to support farm visits and other PGS activities for farmers, it is an affordable certification system, with the cost of farm visits at R2,000. You can donate through the SAOSO website or our QR code should you wish to take action and support the rising organic and agroecological movement in South Africa.
Farmer’s Weekly Women in Organic Agriculture Lifetime Award
In September, Jenny Slabber, co-owner and sales director of Talborne Organics, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Organic Farming from Farmer’s Weekly.
Jenny received recognition from the publication at the Women in Agriculture event at the Organic & Natural Expo for her outstanding contribution to the organic farming industry in South Africa. Jenny has been dedicated to the sector for the past 30 years, always enthusiastically teaching and sharing information that she’s learnt about the wisdom of working with nature.
News from a PGS Farmer
Mzimasi Ndongeni is a PGS Pollinator and an initiator of the Umzimvubu PGS which covers both Mount Frere and Mount Ayliff villages in the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape. He is responsible for coordinating all its activities, linking up with relevant stakeholders to build a bottom up approach to the transition to agroecology food systems.
Mzi said: “I grew up farming with my father and siblings – a practice that complemented our household income. I attended school up to tertiary level helping my family in subsistence farming as the form of our existence. Without employment I find it difficult to execute some of the PGS programme but with the support of PGS SA and SAOSO Pollinator program I have managed to pursue part of the Umzimvubu PGS exit strategy.
“Farming is key to harnessing a deep rural food system through ecological agricultural initiatives that activate a stewardship of indigenous knowledge and lifestyle.
“Currently I am linking up with local stakeholders around the “deep rural agroecology roll-out programme” concept. The idea is to leverage synergy within the district social, economic and environmental programs to harness food security and nutrition, natural resources governance and ecosystems. Our goal is to build a resilient rural circular economy through regenerative agricultural practices to change the face of Alfred Nzo District.
“We are supplying local schools with organically grown produce. We would love to upscale to provide to hospitals and hospices so we are focusing on the children, elderly and the sick. The remaining crop will go to the retailers.”
Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa 2023: A Green Triumph
The Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa 2023, hosted at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre from September 14th to 16th, celebrated sustainable living with passion and purpose and attracted over 4,000 visitors over three days. Industry leaders, exhibitors, and eco-enthusiasts united, championing eco-conscious choices, supported by partners like SAOSO and PGS SA.
Attendees immersed themselves in a diverse array of organic delights, from local treats to sustainable fashion and holistic wellness items. Eco-conscious living took centre stage, inspiring attendees to adopt reusable items and energy-efficient technologies, reducing their carbon footprint.
The Expo was a triumph, inspiring greener, healthier, and more responsible living. Expo organiser Warren Hickinbotham said: “As organisers we were extremely happy with the outcome of the 2023 event. Our happiness is dictated by that of our visitors, exhibitors and partners, and this year it’s been nothing but smiles. Next year’s Joburg event starts on 12th September, with a Cape Town leg aimed at April 2024, so watch this space.”
Future Newsletters: We would like to hear what kind of news you would like to see in our newsletter. Drop us a line at info@saoso.org.