Work, Learn, Grow Programme | Support for Agroecology Production

About the Programme

We build resilient communities, powering futures.

Our mission is to help vulnerable people gain self sufficiency so that they can build meaningful lives for themselves and their families.

Introduction

Introducing Work.Learn.Grow

Seriti - a Development Facilitation Agency

Seriti’s Work.Learn.Grow (WLG) program is an initiative that focuses on farming and agribusiness support for low-income communities, with emphasis on women and youth. Our program aims to empower small-scale producers by providing targeted training, capacity-building sessions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. We believe that by fostering sustainable agricultural practices, we can help small-scale producers thrive in today’s competitive market landscape.

Our Flagship Project

Multifunctional Agri-Nodes

Seriti believes that community development without sustainability means nothing. Hence, the establishment of Multi-Functional Agri-Nodes (MFANs) is essential when addressing the issue of food security and unlocking local job opportunities. The primary objective of the MFANs is to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of smallholder producers in the community and surrounding areas close to the nodes.

Our Multi-Functional Agri-Nodes are in-community hubs that offer resources and training and help small-scale producers/farmers sell their produce and products. Farmers learn techniques to improve soil health, reduce dependence on external inputs, and diversify income streams through enterprise development. These nodes are set up in the community and not only teach farmers but also encourage them to take care of the environment.

The MFAN model focuses on caring for the environment while helping the local economy grow. In rural areas, households and smallholder farmers are crucial in driving the local economy by supplying essential food produce. Despite their significance, these farmers encounter various challenges that hinder their ability to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving agricultural landscape.

The Work.Learn.Grow program increases the amount and diversity of food produced, improves/maintains food quality, improves individual, household, and local food access, and increases income from activities in the agro-food system to reduce poverty in a sustainable way.

Multifunctional Agri-Node Model

“We envision an ambitious future where localised and democratised food systems thrive, supported by a circular economy that minimises waste and maximises resource efficiency through promoting ecological farming practices.”

South Africa, a country with diverse landscapes and rich agricultural traditions, currently grapples with an inefficient, inequitable, and environmentally damaging food system. The prevailing conventional farming methods, characterised by monoculture practices and the application of synthetic inputs, have taken a toll on our precious ecosystems. As most conventional farming adheres to these unsustainable farming practices, the need for a transformative intervention is more pressing than ever. In recent years, there has been a coming together of different efforts to promote agroecology as a solution to food and nutrition insecurity in marginalised communities.

Implementation Model

The selection and implementation plan of the Agri-Nodes are based on –

Accessibility: Reduces costs and facilitates efficient local movement of goods and equipment.
Market Reach: Proximity to a regional main road attracts more visitors, boosting economic growth.
Agri-Enterprises: Promotes the use of land in the community surrounds for their agri-enterprises.
Visibility: Visible and accessible hub for farmers and producers to sell produce.
Training Opportunities, Education, and Skill Development: Access to training opportunities for community members.
Security: Proper fencing to manage trespassing.

ESG (Environment, Social, Governance)

Seriti is dedicated to being socially and environmentally responsible in all our projects through our ESG framework. We integrate principles of sustainable farming, environmental justice, and governance through our well-run projects, enabling capacity building and skill transfer in order to increase access to nutritious food and reduce poverty and inequality. This comprehensive approach guides Seriti’s mission to create a positive impact while being responsible leaders.

What makes the Multifunctional Agri-Nodes stand out?

We are all about the big picture: fixing the land, boosting the local economy, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Our focus is on tackling crucial food and environmental issues, strengthening communities for the future.
We take a practical approach, teaching farming methods, restoring ecosystems, and recycling waste for a more sustainable future.
Our impact lasts beyond the project, helping communities collaborate, access markets, and stay organised.
We combine agroecology, ecosystem restoration, circular economy solutions, and waste composting for greener agriculture.
Whether it is one central node or multiple smaller ones in the same locality, we are all about creating a marketplace for success!

Like the work we’re doing? Partner with Seriti today.

Agro-ecology

Seriti applies agroecology principles to balance socioeconomic and environmental needs while sustainably operating our community agriculture initiatives within ecological boundaries. These principles help increase input use efficiency and reduce the use of costly, scarce, or environmentally damaging inputs. It also substitutes conventional inputs and practices with agroecological alternatives.

Soil Health – Using composting and conservation techniques.
Reducing External Inputs – Decreasing dependence on artificial fertilisers.
Recycling Nutrients – Composting plant waste to fertilise crops.
Diversifying Farming Systems – Integrating crops, livestock, and aquaculture.
Economic Diversification – Enabling small-scale farmers to increase incomes

Pragmatic approach to balancing social, economic and environmental needs

We are working to create a more equitable food system by transforming how we produce and consume food from processing to disposal, ensuring economic opportunity; safe working conditions; access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food; and environmental sustainability.

Food System Principles

These principles reconnect consumers and producers by developing alternative food networks and building a food system based on participation, localness, fairness, and justice.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL)

Seriti Institute places significant importance on Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) in all its programmes. MERL plays an important role in measuring impact and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of these programmes. By establishing MERL frameworks and providing tools for monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning, the unit helps ensure that programs achieve their intended outcomes and impacts.

Achievements as at the end of February 2024

The vision is to expand to all 9 provinces in South Africa and have a Multifunctional Agri-Node in each province.

Map Illustrating Agri-Nodes in all Provinces

Our Stakeholders

We work with relevant stakeholders to enhance existing efforts and ensure continuity beyond the project. The primary focus is to leverage existing strengths, capabilities, and efforts within communities to form partnerships that will increase food availability sustainably.

Our Social Investment Partners include public, private, and philanthropic donors.

Collaboration and partnerships, getting the right partners on board, with an open line of communication, is critical to laying a solid foundation. It allows for the sharing of financial, technical and human resources which can help reduce the financial burden on a single organisation increasing the chances of success and sustainability.

Juanita Pardesi, CEO of Seriti Institute