CULTIVATING RESILIENCE:
CULTIVATING RESILIENCE: AGRICULTURE’S ROLE INCLIMATE-CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATIONAdaptation of a speech given by Dr Andrea Campher, Senior Manager Sustainability and Agribusiness atStandard Bank, to the Standard Bank/Business Day Climate Smart Agriculture Seminar, November 2024.According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, climate change couldreduce global agricultural productivity by up to 30% by 2050. This is in thecontext of needing to feed nearly 10-billion people by then.I’ll never forget growing up in a small farm town where we would pray for rainin church on Sundays. Drought has been a harsh reality for my community, oneof many small towns struggling to thrive economically. Fields that once flourishedhave turned to dust, leaving farmers to watch helplessly as their crops wither underthe relentless sun. It is said that if the farmer struggles, the farmworker struggles.Then the local business and the local school, leaving a ripple effect on our ruraleconomies. This personal story is not just an anecdote; it’s a reality for many.This presentation illustrates that agriculture is both a contributor to greenhousegasemissions and a powerful ally in mitigating and adapting to climate change.Let’s start by understanding the challenges we face. Climate change is not adistant threat; it’s here, impacting agriculture in profound ways. The Africancontinent warmed at a rate of +0.3°C/decade between 1991 and 2023, a slightlyfaster rate than the global average.Over 60-million people were affected globally by the 2023/24 El Niño, whichbrought extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves and floods. Vulnerableregions like Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa were hit hardest, worseningfood insecurity in areas already under strain – this is while agricultural demandin Africa will need to be increased by approximately 80% by 2050. It is estimatedthat African governments spent US.2-billion managing weather-related naturaldisasters in 2023. But the cost to the farmer individually was much higher.These disruptions not only threaten the livelihoods of farmers but also ourglobal food supply. We’re witnessing first-hand how climate change is reshapingagriculture and we must recognise this challenge if we want to forge a path forward.Agriculture is the foundation of our survival; by nurturing the land, we nurtureour future.What is meant by climate-smart agriculture? Climate-smart agriculture (CSA)refers to a strategy for managing landscapes to address the challenges of climatechange and food security. CSA aims to increase productivity, enhance resilienceand reduce emissions of farming practices. Therefore, mitigation and adaptationpractices underpin the achievement of these goals.Mitigation strategiesFirstly, mitigation refers to the ways we reduce, avoid or sequester greenhouse gasesthrough various practices. Some examples are:Regenerative agriculture is an approach that emphasises diversified farmingsystems, moving away from conventional farming. By integrating crops andlivestock, farmers can reduce emissions while enhancing biodiversity. Imagine afarm where crops and livestock coexist, creating a balanced ecosystem that benefits.The solution is to adopt a fresh perspective on how we cultivate our land.Soil health is another key strategy. Practices like cover cropping, agroforestry andno-till farming not only protect the soil but also sequester carbon, transformingit into a natural carbon sink. Healthy soil is essential for resilient crops and it’s awin-win for both farmers and the environment.Precision agriculture is also revolutionising the way we farm. By usingtechnology to optimise resources – such as using water and fertilisers moreeffectively – farmers can reduce waste and enhance productivity. This notonly decreases emissions but also leads to more efficient use of our preciousresources. This reduces input costs and creates more sustainable profits overthe longer term.Renewable energy sources are being harnessed by many farmers. Imagine afarm powered entirely by the sun, not only reducing reliance on fossil fuels butalso cutting energy costs. This can be taken further by linking that solar system toirrigation systems to effectively use water resources. This shift to renewable energycan play a crucial role in making agriculture more sustainable.Additional mitigation strategies: energy-efficient equipment (no-tillageimplements, fuel efficient or electric tractors), reduction of food loss and waste,hydro-power, improved feeding practices for livestock, biodigesters, hydroponics,crop rotation or recycling.A practical example is investing in waste-to-energy solutions on a dairy farm,such as a biodigester, which converts animal manure into energy while producingfertiliser as a by-product. By adopting this practice, the farmer not only promotesa circular-economy approach but also mitigates emissions and disposes of wasteby transforming it into a valuable resource.As climate-smart agriculture practices sequester soil-organic carbon, it presentsan opportunity to earn carbon credits and to incentivise those fostering the24PHOTO: Leiliane Dutra on Pexels
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREenvironment. Various solutions through waste-to-energy, biochar, soil-organiccarbon and agroforestry can earn farmers additional income. The key lies inreimagining our approach to agriculture.Adaptation strategiesAlongside mitigation, we must focus on adaptation strategies. Adaptationinvolves adjusting agricultural practices and systems to cope with theimpacts of climate change, ensuring resilience and sustainability in the faceof changing conditions.Resilient crop varieties: Crops that can withstand extreme weather conditionssuch as drought-resistant or flood-tolerant varieties can significantly bolster foodsecurity in vulnerable regions.Water management: Innovative techniques like drip irrigation and rainwaterharvesting improve efficiency and make farms more resilient to water scarcity. Byadopting these practices, farmers can ensure they’re using water wisely, even intimes of drought.Other adaptation practices include agricultural insurance, weather forecasting,sustainable water-storage solutions or integrated pest management. Climate-smartdecision-making underpins the success of implementing these practices.A practical example is investing in practices that safeguard crops againstdrought by implementing soil moisture conservation techniques, such asmulching and cover cropping. These methods enhance water retention andimprove soil health. Furthermore, there is scope to investigate new technologiesthat improve water efficiencies in drier seasons or improve draining systemsfor waterlogged field crops.Standard Bank’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy supports the threeprongedapproach through decarbonisation solutions such as smart water, energy,equipment and practices in building resilience and promoting low emissions whilewe need to ensure farmers stay profitable.The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the cost of adaptationis -billion to -billion annually over the next decade for governments, butwhat will this cost for the farmer who is struggling to access finance – his land, hisinheritance, his assets, his hard-won labour?Innovation is the key to unlocking the potential of our challenges; let’s innovateour way out of crisis.Call to actionWe all have a role in supporting sustainable agricultural practices, whether throughadvocacy, investing, making informed consumer choices or engaging in ourcommunities. Each of us can contribute to this vital cause.We stand at a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change. We have achoice: to adapt and thrive or to ignore the signs and face dire consequences. Byembracing mitigation strategies that reduce emissions and investing in adaptationpractices that enhance resilience, we can transform agriculture into a cornerstoneof climate solutions.Imagine a future where agriculture not only feeds the world but also serves as arobust buffer against climate change.Together, let’s cultivate a future where our farms are not just sources ofsustenance but powerful allies in the battle for a sustainable planet. The time foraction is now – let’s rise to the challenge and grow a sustainable tomorrow!PHOTO: Erwan Hesry on Unsplash | PHOTO: Wynand Uys on Unsplash25
