Climate change is a challenge for small-scale farmers – how a mix of old and new techniques produced a superior maize harvest in a dry part of South Africa

New Research Shows Climate-Smart Farming Techniques Improve Maize Yield and Food Security in South Africa

A recent study conducted in South Africa’s North West province has revealed that the implementation of climate-smart farming techniques has led to significant improvements in maize yield, food supply, and crop diversity among rural small-scale farmers.

Small-scale farmers, who rely on their crops for both sustenance and income, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Therefore, adopting sustainable farming practices is crucial for their resilience and livelihoods.

Climate-Smart Techniques

The study identified several climate-smart techniques that have proven successful in improving agricultural outcomes:

• Planting drought-tolerant maize seeds, which are capable of thriving even in dry conditions.
• Mulching, which involves covering the soil with leaves or bark to retain moisture.
• Cover cropping, which involves planting grasses or legumes alongside the main crop to nourish and protect the soil.
• Mixed cropping, where two or more crops are grown together to repel pests.
• Zero tillage, a method that involves placing mulch over the soil and planting seeds directly into the layer, eliminating the need for digging beds.

The North West province of South Africa experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The region is prone to frequent droughts and unpredictable rainfall, making traditional farming practices unreliable. Therefore, the adoption of climate-smart agriculture is essential for mitigating climate impacts and ensuring food security.

Vulnerability of Small-Scale Farmers

Rural small-scale farming families across South Africa are highly vulnerable to climate change, as they lack access to expensive irrigation systems. Delayed rains have disrupted planting schedules, resulting in reduced crop output and increased food insecurity.

The study interviewed over 300 small-scale maize farmers from 30 rural communities in the North West province. The findings revealed that these farmers have been adapting their farming practices since 2010, utilizing their indigenous knowledge to cope with climate-related challenges. This grassroots approach, combined with specialist advice from agricultural scientists, NGOs, and government extension services, has evolved into the climate-smart agriculture practices observed today.

Research Findings

The study found that 86% of the interviewed farmers had adopted climate-smart agriculture practices. These farmers reported higher maize yields, with an average of 6.2 tonnes per hectare per year, compared to 3.9 tonnes for those who adhered to conventional farming methods. Additionally, the adoption of climate-smart techniques resulted in increased income, with farmers earning approximately R15,000 (US$824) per hectare from maize sales, compared to R11,500 (US$632) for conventional farmers.

The Benefits of Climate-Smart Agriculture

The implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices offers several benefits:

• Enhanced soil health: Techniques such as cover cropping and organic fertilizers improve soil structure and fertility, leading to increased crop yields.
• Environmental sustainability: Conservation agriculture and agroforestry practices help store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.
• Improved food security: Diversification of crops reduces dependence on a single crop, enhancing resilience to climate shocks and reducing the risk of crop failure.
• Increased productivity: Climate-smart agriculture improves soil health, water management, and pest control, ensuring consistent crop performance.
• Economic benefits: The adoption of nature-based climate-smart practices reduces the need for chemical inputs, resulting in cost savings. Furthermore, it opens up opportunities for eco-friendly products and additional income streams.

Recommendations for Government and Stakeholders

The government and stakeholders should take the following actions to support small-scale farmers in adopting climate-smart agriculture:

• Provide extension services to offer agricultural advice and training, including the use of climate forecast services.
• Offer financial incentives to encourage farmers to transition to climate-smart agriculture.
• Strengthen agricultural co-operative societies to ensure widespread access to climate-smart agricultural equipment.
• Develop policies that promote climate-smart agriculture and engage local communities in the decision-making process.
• Encourage collaboration between academics, government departments, and small-scale farmers to research innovative farming methods.

By implementing these recommendations, South Africa can build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, ensuring the livelihoods of maize farmers in the face of climate change.

(The authors would like to thank Dr. Christopher Tshwene of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality for his contributions to the data collection process for this study.)

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Adoption of climate-smart farming techniques
• Increased maize yield
• More regular food supply for farmers
• Wider variety of crops
• Integration of climate-smart agriculture into agricultural policies and programs
• Enhanced soil health through climate-smart agriculture practices
• Environmental sustainability through climate-smart agriculture practices
• Increased earnings for small-scale farmers through climate-smart agriculture
• Economic benefits for small-scale farmers through climate-smart agriculture

Source: theconversation.com