A call to action has been issued to farmers, experts, and policymakers as registration opens for the Emergency Summit on Climate Change and Agriculture. Scheduled for Friday, 18 October 2024 in Pretoria, the event aims to address the escalating crisis threatening South Africa’s agricultural sector.
With unpredictable weather patterns, severe droughts, and devastating floods becoming increasingly frequent, the country’s food security is at stake. The summit will delve into strategies to mitigate these impacts and ensure the sustainability of the agricultural industry.
“The situation is dire,” warned Ivor Price, co-founder of Food For Mzansi. “Climate change is a crisis that threatens the very foundation of our food systems. This summit is a critical platform for uniting minds to tackle these unprecedented challenges.”
Participants will explore a range of critical issues including emergency adaptation strategies, the role of technology, the effectiveness of government policies, and the urgent need for collaboration and financial support.
Climate risks threaten agriculture’s legacy
Dr Peter Johnston from the UCT Climate System Analysis Group earlier highlighted the urgency of the situation.
He said, “South Africa is a well-resourced country with a strong agricultural legacy. However, climate change and associated risks are poised to significantly alter this status. The extent to which the country can cope will depend largely on the actions of its people, particularly policymakers and planners.”
Farmers, on the frontlines of the climate crisis, will share their experiences and struggles at the Emergency Summit on Climate Change and Agriculture.
Their stories will underscore the urgent need for immediate action.
The summit will also focus on securing financial resources to support climate adaptation and resilience in agriculture. Innovative financing mechanisms will be explored to help farmers transition to more sustainable practices.
“By bringing together experts, farmers, and policymakers, the Emergency Summit on Climate Change and Agriculture aims to foster collaboration and develop actionable solutions to protect the country’s agricultural sector and ensure food security for future generations,” said Food For Mzansi co-founder Kobus Louwrens.
He said participants can expect a jam-packed, high-level programme featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and an agritech showcase. The programme highlights include:
- Adaptation in crisis mode: With climate change accelerating, traditional farming practices are increasingly untenable. Experts will delve into emergency adaptation strategies, including drought-resistant crops, advanced irrigation techniques, and immediate soil restoration efforts.
- Technological lifelines: As natural weather patterns grow more erratic, technology is emerging as a lifeline for farmers. Presentations will focus on the rapid deployment of climate-smart agricultural tools and precision farming technologies that could make the difference between crop failure and survival.
- Policy in focus: The summit will examine current government policies and their effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by farmers due to climate impacts. Discussions will emphasise the need for policy improvements, financial support mechanisms, and expedited assistance.
- Farmer testimonies: Real-life accounts from South African farmers will underscore the severity of the situation. These stories of struggle and resilience will highlight the immediate need for action, showing how climate change is already pushing many to the edge of viability.
- Urgent collaboration: The summit will highlight the importance of forging strong alliances across sectors, from government and NGOs to the private sector, to combat the impending agricultural disaster.
- Climate finance: The need for financial resources to support climate adaptation and resilience in agriculture will also be explored. Discussions will focus on strategies for securing funding, investing in sustainable practices, and leveraging financial mechanisms to support farmers in coping with climate-related challenges.
Climate adaptation efforts may fall short
Meanwhile, experts said many small-scale and commercial farmers had already recognised the urgent need to adapt their practices. Strategies such as enhancing soil carbon and utilising indigenous rainwater harvesting techniques had been implemented to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change.
Despite these efforts, there is growing concern that these measures may fall short under future climate scenarios, particularly for new-era farmers who face heightened vulnerability due to structural barriers like limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Climate impacts and extreme weather events affect different people in various ways,” said Luckson Zvogbo, a postdoctoral research fellow at UCT’s African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI).
“Farmers prioritise their crops, insurers focus on pay-outs, and individuals living in informal settlements are concerned about their homes. However, it is imperative that we all work together to address this crisis comprehensively.”
With the future of South African agriculture hanging in the balance, this summit is a crucial opportunity to shape the sector’s resilience. Click here for more information on the Emergency Summit on Climate Change and Agriculture, and click here to reserve your seat.
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