04 Dec 2006 - The way forward
Project Germination, with its farmer-orientated name recalling new growth and development, has begun. The aim is to germinate the hidden potential of natural resources unused by landowners with gamebirds as a starting point. The project encompasses the golden thread of AGRED, which is “to perpetuate the natural African heritage through sustainable utilisation in a manner that benefits all communities economically and socially, promotes the sport of shooting and meets the highest standards of conservation management”.
The first conservancy is being formed in the Vrede District, centred on the farms of David Lowry and Danie Cillié. With its participants still to be finalised, it appears that at least another five farmers with an area of 17000-20000 ha will be involved. Primarily a cattle-ranching area, the conservancy includes maize lands. The primary gamebird is the Helmeted Guineafowl, with significant populations of Grey-wing Partridge and Swainson’s Francolin. Other less common gamebirds include Orange River Francolin, Common Quail, Rock Pigeon, Egyptian Goose and Yellow-billed Duck.
Mark Moses chairs the sub-committee on gamebird conservancies, which include David and Nic Lowry and Aldo Berruti. Progress has included:
• definition of the process,
• initial survey and management recommendations for one of the farms, as well as discussions with farmers
• contact with Free State Nature Conservation, who will support the process, through training of conservancy guards and registration of the conservancy, and management advice if required
• contact and expressed interest from the South African Conservancies Association
• support has been promised by Mike Zingel (WozaInyoni bird crops)
• support from Paul Chappell (provision of gamebird feeders)
• co-operation with Enkangala Grassland Trust and National Grasslands Forum which may provide further benefits to farmers through improved understanding of the value of natural biodiversity
AGRED seeks to involve farm labourers or conservancy guards in the process of gamebird management as a critical element. Thus we have begun negotiations with THETA (the relevant sector training authority) to begin the establishment of a career path of gamebird keeper. In this way, we can begin developing a career path for people from either farm labour staff or local communities in gamebird shooting. We plan to work with all other interested parties, including SA Wingshooters, to help develop gamebird conservancies to the benefit of all concerned, so ensuring a better future for gamebirds and their habitats.
The aim is to develop a robust, flexible but relatively simple process easily appreciated by the landowners, and to use gamebirds as an entry point. It must all be scientifically-based and deliver excellent conservation management. We recognise that farmers require practical, time-efficient and inexpensive methods to increase bird populations. We will guide farmers through all stages of the process. AGRED will also help farmers to develop hospitality services, and to market shoots, so adding considerable value to their gamebirds. The infrastructure required to establish gamebird utilisation will readily support other forms of eco-tourism and recreational land use, such as hiking, birding, mountain-biking or to simply escape from cities.
AGRED hopes to develop this first conservancy as a model process, and then to roll out this model across South Africa. Whilst initially aimed at commercial farms, we hope to develop models which can be used on communal lands as well. Ideally, we hope for the conservancy to be operational by the end of 2006 with first organised shoot to take place in 2007.
AGRED welcomes feedback……
+27 11 782 8756 or agred@netdial.co.za
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