Titre du projet:
Developing rural expertise in spatial dynamics – participatory GIS in the rooibos tea lands of the Suid Bokkeveld (Northern Cape Province)
Brief description:
Project activities have included:
1. Initial data gathering: We have compiled existing spatial information in the area from local existing projects and other data sources, and included relevant data in GIS setting up an initial data base with information that includes digitalised topography, vector, and aerial maps, as well as the location of wild Rooibos, homesteads, farm areas, and ecosystems.
2. Training of local young women on GPS use: as a result two apprenctices are now competent to take GPS measurements, download the data points and prepare the data for integration in the GIS of the area. They have been working on their own with the GPS taking coordinate points of Nieuwoudtville town and the location of special plants, as part of the EcoClub activities aiming to the environmental education of local children and conservation of threatened and endangered plants.
3. Semi-structured interviews, transect walks and mental maps: With reference to the farming activities identified during interview with farmers, and with the aim to visualise how landscape and use patterns are spatially distributed land users perceptions, men and women draw detailed mental (sketch) maps identifying important landmarks and land uses. After identification of units areas farmers, facilitator and trainee walked on a transect characterizing those areas and doing GPS ground truth checking. Transect walks can provide perspectives and more accurately describe types of ecosystems and use patterns. A women group from Melkkraal farm worked on their own identifying their mapping priorities, which differed from the male farmers.
Pays:
South Africa
Catégorie du problème:
Agricultural production;Information systems
Catégorie de l'activité:
Training;Agricultural production
Catégorie de bénéficiare:
Rural women;Farmers
Organisation:
Description brève de l'organisation:
Indigo is an association of professionals working in the area of rural development and change.
Mission: Indigo strives to bring positive change to rural communities, especially to women and the less advantaged. We do this by facilitating the human, social and institutional development of rural people, their organisations. Indigo supports rural communities in the sustainable use of their natural resources.Description brève de l'organisation
Personne de contact:
Gabriela Demergasso & Bettina Koelle
Adresse:
PO Box 350, Nieuwoudtville 8180
Telephone no. 027 2181148 Fax No. 027 2181117
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Some reflections: Young women apprentices enjoyed engaging with the technology, and gathered excellent data using GPS devices. “It is nice to learn something different and linked to technology”. They are ready to work independently, and they are doing so. Their familiarity with the local culture, history and nuances of local language contributes to openness and confidence on the part of the land users.
During initial workshop with female and male farmers the sharing of mental maps worked well to show how maps are often individual and informed by our own experiences. It was obvious that the land users have sophisticated mental maps of the natural resources on the land that they use and the spatial dynamics to manage their natural resources sustainably. Farmers brainstormed about data to be gathered per farm, and developed a rich overview of the types of data that they will find useful. A women group from Melkkraal farm worked on their own identifying their mapping priorities, which differed from the male farmers.
