A pilot study to explore the viability of growing wheat on old coal mining land in Mpumalanga has shown surprising results, with crops using remediated land mine-affected water offering higher yields than those planted on virgin soil.
The first crops were harvested in November last year after researchers conducted side-to-side comparisons using two varieties of winter wheat that were shown to be capable of adapting to the environment of Mpumalanga.
"What those trials showed is we had a superior yield using remediated land and mine-affected water. It beat the pants off virgin soil," says John Cook, director of Africa operations at Business for Development (B4D), an NGO leading the pilot in partnership with Glencore, the International Council of Mining and Metals, The Impact Catalyst, and the Mine Water Coordinating Body. Tests so far have shown the grain to be safe for human consumption and in compliance with World Health Organisation and South African food safety standards, Cook says.
