Biowatch FY10 Work Plan and Budget Summary

Through IDEX’s grant, Biowatch aims to ensure that people have control over their food supply systems; that benefits arising from the commercial use of biological resources are fairly shared; and policy choices about new technology, such as genetic engineering, are made in a transparent and participatory way. Biowatch will continue to strengthen its training and development of traditional and indigenous knowledge systems to support small-scale farmers, schools, clinics, households and community food gardeners in creating alternatives to genetically modified foods.

Location: 4 rural communities of Ntandabantu, KwaHhoho, Tshaneni and Ekuthuleni in KwaZulu Natal Province.

Objectives: Within the next nine months, Biowatch will aim to:

i) To promote seed diversity, seed saving and an ago-ecological approach to agriculture in 4 rural communities in rural KwaZulu Natal

ii) To have monthly visits to KwaHhoho (20 households) and Ntandabantu (9 households)

iii) To have bimonthly visits to Tshaneni (15 households) and Ekutheleni (182 households)

iv) To have quarterly visits for 9 school greening projects in Mtubatuba – this includes a cluster of primary schools in Mtubatuba that Biowatch encourages to grow vegetables and fruits, including indigenous trees. Schools and the Department of Education are involved in nutritional education and feeding schemes.

Anticipated Outcomes: In the next nine months, Biowatch expects to:

i) Ensure that households served have a seed bank with 12 – 18 different varieties of seed in each seed bank

ii) Host a seed fair at Tshaneni to encourage farmers in the local community to realize the importance of saving and sharing traditional seeds and to engage government stakeholders in community projects.

iii) Demonstrate an agro-ecological approach being used in household food gardens

iv) Have knowledgeable community members with the ability to speak out to the Department of Agriculture or Agribusiness on technologies that are being foisted on them.

v) Have catalyzed the start of a food security movement

Item / Dollars
Staff costs (portion of staff salaries) / $2,250.50
Telecommunication costs / $562.50
Community work – transport / $1,001.25
Office rental in KwaMsane / $562.50
Community work – materials / $123.75
Project management costs - costs include community visits, report writing and financial management of activities in the workplan / $500
GlobalGiving Administrative Costs (15%) / $750
IDEX Program Evaluation Costs (10%) / $500
TOTAL / $6 250.50