An Interconnected Model
As a farming operation, we will be working with the soil and nature’s resources. By using circular farming methods we want to use minimal external inputs, closing nutrients loops and regenerate the soil in order to minimise the negative environmental impact and ensuring the long-term sustainable productivity of the la
OUR CONCEPT
CITRUS
In Tanzania, citrus fruit is a staple in the local diet. Yet, virtually all citrus being produced in Tanzania is grown on the coast where the climate is too hot. Combined with limited availability of quality seedlings of proper varieties, this causes low yields of a low quality crop. 70 percent of the crop is harvested between June and August.
By importing quality seedlings of varieties suitable to the local climate, we hope to be able to generate higher yields of quality fruit and extending the harvest period. Our climate is suitable for producing high quality fruit of lemons, oranges and soft citrus, for which there is a growing demand in both Tanzania and Kenya.
CHEESE
There is currently no bigger scale commercial production of cheese in Tanzania, yet there is a growing demand in the urban centres and Zanzibar. The cheese on offer is imported from New Zealand, Denmark and Kenya and is very expensive.
Our climate is very suitable for dairy pasture and the intention is to utilise the green cover crop in the citrus orchards by grazing dairy cattle, at the same time contributing to the microbial activity of the soil, nutrient circulation and organic fertilisation of the orchards. The milk would be processed to cheese on site, avoiding the logistical challenges of transporting a high volume product such as fresh milk.
HONEY
Wild miombo honey has been produced by local beekeepers for hundreds of years in the area. Miombo honey is produced by ancient methods, providing the locals a sustainable way to obtain a livelihood from the miombo forest, without disturbing the habitat and cutting down the forest. We hope to be able to facilitate connecting the beekeepers to large scale buyers, so that beekeeping can grow as a source of income for the local people. Raw miombo honey is a delicacy with a strong palate of toffee, whiskey and wild flowers.
Furthermore, bees as pollinators are crucial for growing citrus successfully.
INTERCROPPING
In intercropping, more than one crop is grown simultaneously on the same piece of land. Compared to the monocultures commonly used in commercial agriculture, intercropping is closer to natural multi-species communities. It has many advantages, related to the complementary use of environmental resources by the crops planted. This results in increased and better nutrient recycling in the soil, better control of pests and diseases with increased biodiversity. Intercropping also increases the production per unit area compared to single cropping through the effective use of resources, nutrients including water, and solar energy.
Citrus and dairy pasture are well suited to intercropping. The pasture provides soil cover in the inter-rows, improving water infiltration and water holding capacity in the soil, preventing erosion, crowding out weeds, controlling pests and diseases.
AGROFORESTRY
Agroforestry is a wide concept collectively describing farming systems with different plant layers, also including trees, thus resembling natural forests.
In our agroforestry system, we strive towards reintroducing native trees to provide the forest canopy layer; the citrus constitutes the mid-layer; while the cover-crops are the forest floor.
Cover-crops are low plant species used as a natural way of controlling weeds, thus reducing the need for herbicides; while also enhancing soil health; preventing soil erosion; and an effective way to conserve soil moisture and save water.
GRAZING
Animals are an integral part of any natural community and we feel
they should be included in an attempt to mimic natural ecosystems in agriculture.
Citrus requires irrigation in the dry season. At Sable
Hills the topography allows for gravity based irrigation, not requiring any additional power input. As a side product, the irrigation will result in green cover crops well suited for pasture also in the dry season. This will be utilised by grazing dairy cows allowing us to obtain two products from the same amount of land.
On the one hand, the animals offer a natural way to control pests on the crops, while also providing natural fertiliser. Grazing animals also help to enhance and restore the soil’s carbon sequestration processes.
HABITAT CONSERVATION
Being able to save and restore a beautiful piece of nature is at the heart of our mission. In the process we hope to be able to explore ways in which local communities can gain income from their
lands while not exploiting them unsustainably.
One part of the land is near its natural state and we want it to stay that way and also start managing the annual fires closely in a way that supports the long term health of the plant communities.
In addition we will restore valuable riverine forest habitats on the land that has already been cleared for seasonal farming.
LOCAL COMMUNITY
As investor into the local community, Sable Hills Farm is in a position to make significant local impact, not just by direct capital injection and job opportunities, but also by acting as a facilitator in various ventures.
We have planned our own enterprises in a way that we believe best will benefit the community and allow for sustainable conservation of the natural habitat, while still being a viable business.
Complementary feed for the dairy cows can be made from side products such as sunflower cake that the local smallholder farmers have limited markets for currently.