Climate change continues to pose a serious threat to agricultural productivity and food security, particularly in vulnerable regions such as sub-Saharan Africa.
This urgent challenge was at the centre of a recent webinar jointly hosted by the University of South Africa (Unisa) and AgriSETA, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore strategies for building resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart food systems.
Prof. Aluwani Maiwashe-Tagwi, associate professor in the department of agriculture and animal health at Unisa, opened the session by reflecting on shared challenges faced across the global south.
Maiwashe-Tagwi noted that water scarcity, ageing farmer demographics, and limited technology adoption continue to constrain agricultural transformation in South Africa. “South Africa is a water-scarce country, and we still have issues around over-irrigation. Considering that we are already water-scarce, this multiplies the challenges we face,” she said.
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Farmer scepticism of research projects
The session highlighted the need to align agricultural research with farmer-led innovation. “We see a lot of pushback from farmers when it comes to technology adoption, precisely because the technologies themselves, at inception, are not farmer-led but research-led,” Maiwashe-Tagwi explained.
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She praised efforts by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to develop and breed climate-resilient seed varieties, including improved sweet potato and maize cultivars.
“There is evidence that these climate-resilient seeds improve farmers’ livelihoods, but this success must be linked to continued investment in research.”
However, she cautioned against “research fatigue” in farming communities, where farmers have grown sceptical of projects that collect data but yield little visible benefit. “Farmers are saying, year in, year out, you come and collect data from our communities in the name of helping us, but we never see that assistance. South Africa is now reimagining what community-led research should look like.”
Policy reform needed
Meanwhile, research associate Dr Andy Okwu, AgriSETA research chair at Unisa, emphasised that addressing climate change in agriculture is as much a governance issue as it is a technical one.
“This is not just a technical challenge, it’s a governance challenge. We need integrated agricultural and climate policies, guided by climate risk assessments and interdepartmental coordination.
“If South Africa wants to lead in climate-smart agriculture, it must lead in data-driven policy. Reliable, disaggregated data on rainfall, soil health, crop yields, and markets must guide every decision,” he said.
He stressed the importance of regional cooperation through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), especially in sharing early warning systems, harmonising agricultural standards, and supporting transboundary trade.
“Food security is a shared responsibility. By fostering inclusive partnerships and cross-border collaboration, the country can secure its own food future while contributing to a more stable and nourished continent.”
Climate insurance and AI farming tools
Okwu also proposed climate risk insurance schemes, green subsidies, and financial incentives for sustainable practices as essential instruments to reduce vulnerability. “Without insurance, climate shocks translate into devastating income losses. Index-based insurance plans can provide safety nets and encourage innovation.”
Adding a scientific perspective, Dr Manikandan Gurusamy, senior researcher in the department of pharmaceutical sciences at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), explored the transformative role of precision agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data in modern farming.
“Artificial intelligence is making agricultural work much easier. Farmers can now use AI-powered tools to analyse soil health, predict weather patterns, and detect crop diseases within minutes.
“Precision agriculture reduces input costs, minimises environmental impact, and promotes sustainable practices,” he said.
He urged the sector to adopt circular food systems that reduce waste and maximise resource efficiency. “By turning agricultural waste into bioenergy, animal feed, or compost, we can reduce environmental impacts and create new economic opportunities,” Gurusamy said.
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