Biowatch SA

24/09/2026

Heritage Day 2026
Celebrating our seed heritage – and the smallholder farmers and communities who keep it alive.

Heritage Day celebrates the diversity of South Africa’s peoples, cultures and traditions. We see this diversity in the food we grow, cook, share and pass on through generations.

The food we eat carries our history and geography – shaped by local crops, animals, soils and climate. It carries traditions, with recipes, farming practices and ways of preparing food passed down through generations. It expresses identity through the foods we share at festivals, family gatherings and important occasions.

A vital part of this heritage is seed.

For generations, farmers and communities have carefully selected, saved and shared locally adapted seed – for food, and for traditional medicines. Ancient grains and other indigenous and traditional crops are part of this rich seed heritage.

These seeds are adapted to the environments in which they are grown, carrying generations of farmer knowledge and experience. They are also an important part of the diversity that makes agroecological food systems resilient.

When smallholder farmers and seed guardians save, exchange and nurture diverse seed, they protect biodiversity, strengthen local food systems and keep knowledge in the hands of communities.

This Heritage Day, let’s celebrate our seed heritage – and the smallholder farmers and communities who keep it alive.

20/09/2026

16/09/2026

Samu Zuma (Biowatch Agroecology Administrator) and Phindo Phakathi (a Biowatch-supported agroecology farmer) are attending the 4-day Seed and Knowledge Initiative - SKI regional seed and farmers’ rights dialogue and campaign launch in Harare, Zimbabwe. They join farmers and representatives from other SKI partners in Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
A highlight will be participating in the annual Harare Good Seed and Food Festival https://web.facebook.com/TOFFZim/?_rdc=1&_rdr #
Check out the Seed and Knowledge Initiative - SKI page for updates and highlights from the various dialogue sessions.

21/08/2026

Today at the Agroecology Farmer Fair, participants explored four practical demonstrations, from examining microbes under the microscope and making earthworm compost, to learning about salt blocks for animals and making recycled-bottle planters.

From microbes to compost: participants got a closer look at the living world in our soil and explored how earthworm compost can turn organic matter into something valuable for the soil.

The recycled-bottle planters showed how everyday materials can be repurposed for growing food.

It was a reminder that agroecology is not only about putting what we learn into practice, but also about sharing knowledge and building the movement towards food sovereignty.

20/08/2026

We kicked off Day 2 of the 2026 Biowatch Agroecology Farmer Fair with a morning of practical knowledge, from animal health and using herbs for seasoning to understanding the living soil beneath our feet.

Gugu Mbatha of Mdukatshani shared practical guidance on animal health and disease prevention. Farmers explored the importance of caring for pregnant and young animals, keeping kraals clean, vaccinating to prevent disease and recognising the early signs that an animal may be unwell.

Mam Sthandiwe Dlamini brought agroecology into the kitchen, showing how locally grown herbs and ingredients can add both flavour and nutritional value to our meals and how the diversity we grow can contribute to healthier diets.

Nathalie Teixeira of Convert the Dirt explained the importance of living soil, highlighting the connection between soil diversity, healthy plants and nutritious food, reminding us that healthy, diverse soils are the foundation of healthy food.

It’s been a busy morning with plenty of practical knowledge being shared along the way, and the day is far from over!

19/08/2026

At the Biowatch Agroecology Farmer Fair, seeds, stories, and shared knowledge came together at the farmer seed exchange.

Smallholder agroecology farmers from across different areas gathered to exchange seed and fresh produce, while also sharing the knowledge, experiences, and stories woven into each seed.

More than just an exchange, the gathering created a vibrant space for farmers to connect, learn from one another, and celebrate the knowledge they carry. These connections help strengthen relationships, preserve valuable farming wisdom, and nurture the farmer-led seed systems that keep communities growing, resilient and thriving.

Follow for highlights from Day 2.

19/08/2026

2026 Biowatch Agroecology Farmer Fair – more highlights from Day 1.

This morning, Amadiba youth leaders Andisiwe Nzama, Akhona Danca and Nonhlanha Mthwa introduced us to the Wild Coast community’s indigenous food recipe book “Roots of Resilience”. They also showed a short documentary about how the recipe book was developed by the community, which has just won a Constitutional Court victory to stop oil giant Shell from disrupting their coastal livelihoods and cultural and spiritual practices by conducting seismic blasting for oil and gas.

Indigenous food systems offer a wealth of knowledge about nutrition, sustainability and resilience. “Roots of Resilience” encourages young people to stay connected with traditional ingredients, as well as traditional food knowledge and practices. You can download a free copy here:
https://bio-economy.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Roots-of-Resilience-recipe-booklet-Final.pdf

After the screening, Chef Lunga Keswa, a South African chef known for crafting wholesome, farm-to-table culinary experiences using fresh, locally grown ingredients, demonstrated how to cook legumes, and she treated everyone to a delicious taste of double bean paste, red lablab samp, black lablab spicy bean curry, and jack bean and sorghum salad.

After lunch, farmers from different areas will introduce their unique seed and produce, and prepare for the seed exchange.

19/08/2026

This morning, at the Agroecology Farmer Fair, the informative and impactful presentations got us thinking about some big questions: What shapes the food we eat and how much we pay for it? Why is agroecology important, and how can it contribute to better nutrition?

Mvu Ngcoya of Bonakude, a community agroecology farm in Richmond, explored why agroecology matters, reminding us that it is about more than food production, it promotes freedom, dignity and stronger, more resilient communities.

Mervyn Abrahams of PEJDG, the NGO that produces the Household Affordability Index, turned our attention to the soaring food prices and the need to transform our food system. He highlighted how agroecology and growing food closer to our tables can help create more sustainable and accessible food systems.

Keiron Audain highlighted that nutrients start in living soil, connecting healthy soil practices and seed diversity to the nutritional value of crops such as sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet and cowpeas, reminding us that healthy soils are the foundation of healthy diets.

Follow along for more highlights from Day 1 of the 2026 Agroecology Farmer Fair!

19/08/2026

The 2026 Biowatch Agroecology Farmer Fair is officially underway!
Gathering in Botha’s Hill, Durban, are Biowatch-supported farmers from KwaZulu-Natal, members of the KZN Agroecology Platform, as well as Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI) and Agroecology Action Collective partners.
Day 1 of this year’s 2-day celebration will embrace learning, experience sharing, and a vibrant farmer seed and produce exchange.
This morning’s programme will explore why agroecology matters, the changing food system and food prices, and the links between agroecology and nutrition. We’ll then learn more about how traditional food systems nourish communities and protect the environment, and we’ll have a cooking demonstration on how to cook legumes.
We’re looking forward to the many conversations, demonstrations, stories and learnings – and of course, to the farmers’ seed exchange this afternoon!
Follow along as we share highlights from the 2026 Agroecology Farmer Fair!