By Leïla Mansouri, ArabFields, Johannesburg | March 26, 2025
In the rural heartlands of South Africa’s North West Province, where modernity often overshadows tradition, the farmers of Madibeng Local Municipality are quietly preserving a centuries-old legacy. A recent study shines a spotlight on the indigenous farming methods and crop management practices that have sustained these communities, offering a blueprint for sustainable agriculture in an era of climate challenges and food insecurity.
Conducted across three rural communities in Madibeng, the research—led by a team from North-West University—surveyed 49 local farmers using a snowball sampling technique. Through semi-structured interviews conducted between October and December 2023, the study unearthed a wealth of traditional knowledge, from soil preparation to pest control, that continues to underpin household food security and well-being.
A Deep Connection to the Land
For the farmers of Madibeng, agriculture is more than a livelihood—it’s a way of life rooted in an intimate understanding of their environment. The study identified four distinct soil types—sandy, loamy, silt, and clay—each recognized by texture rather than scientific classification. Soil preparation here is an art honed by generations: farmers wield spades and homemade metal tools to turn the earth, clearing shrubs and weeds before enriching it with natural fertilizers like livestock manure and plant residues. Waiting periods before planting vary from two days to two weeks, guided by rainfall patterns and seasonal cues rather than rigid schedules.
“These methods are all we know,” one farmer explained, echoing a sentiment passed down from ancestors. “They work, season after season.” Indeed, the study found that 95.9% of participants practice mixed cropping (intercropping), while 93.8% rely on crop rotation—systems that boost soil fertility, reduce pest pressures, and ensure a diverse harvest of crops like spinach, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Nature’s Pharmacy: Plants as Pest Defenders
Perhaps the most striking finding is the farmers’ use of local plants to combat crop pests and diseases, a practice that sidesteps the chemical-heavy approaches of industrial agriculture. The study documented 10 plant species from seven families, with Allium dregeanum (wild garlic) and Tulbaghia violacea leading the pack. These plants, often intercropped or processed into ash and decoctions, tackle everything from green worms to fungal blights. Bark, cited by 53% of participants, emerged as the most-used plant part, followed by whole plants (32%) and fruit (10%).
Tulbaghia violacea, with a use value of 0.10 and a relative frequency of citation of 0.73, stands out as a local hero. “It’s been with us forever,” a farmer remarked during a field walk, pointing to its pesticidal prowess. The Fabaceae family (legumes) and Alliaceae (onion relatives) dominate the botanical toolkit, reflecting a blend of native and naturalized species adapted to Madibeng’s semi-arid climate.
Sustainability Meets Survival
Madibeng’s indigenous practices are not mere relics of the past—they’re a response to present-day challenges. With an average annual rainfall of just 360 mm and summer temperatures soaring to 31°C, farmers rely on organic fertilizers like cow dung and dry grass to maintain soil health. These materials, readily available and cost-effective, contrast sharply with the chemical inputs of nearby commercial farms. “Manure gives us healthy vegetables without harming the land,” one participant noted, a sentiment backed by the study’s finding that 92% of farmers see higher yields with natural methods.
This approach aligns with global calls for sustainable agriculture, resonating with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—specifically Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). Yet, despite their proven efficacy, these practices remain underappreciated, often dismissed as primitive in a world dazzled by technological fixes.
A Knowledge at Risk
The study also raises a red flag: the transmission of this invaluable knowledge is faltering. With only 14% of participants aged 18–30, the younger generation’s disinterest threatens to sever a vital link to the past. “If the youth don’t farm, who will carry this forward?” wondered an elder, a concern echoed in the data showing 41% unemployment among participants—many of whom depend on these gardens for survival.
Women, making up 65% of the sample, are the backbone of this agricultural heritage, yet their voices, like the practices they uphold, are too often overlooked. The study’s authors argue for urgent action to document and integrate this knowledge into modern farming systems, lest it fade into obscurity.
A Model for the Future?
Madibeng’s farmers offer more than nostalgia—they present a viable alternative to industrialized agriculture. Their reliance on intercropping and crop rotation mirrors techniques gaining traction worldwide for their ability to enhance biodiversity and resilience. The use of botanicals, meanwhile, hints at untapped potential for eco-friendly pest control, a prospect the researchers urge scientists to explore further through phytochemical and pharmacological studies.
As climate change intensifies and food security hangs in the balance, the world may have much to learn from these rural innovators. In Madibeng, where tradition meets tenacity, the seeds of sustainability are already sown—waiting for the right conditions to flourish.
