South Africa is taking significant strides in addressing the global concern of greenhouse gas emissions in rainfed agriculture. Dr Jerry Dlamini, an agronomy specialist at the University of the Free State (UFS), is leading a pioneering research project, @CROPGas on X.
It is funded by the European Joint Programme with a budget of R22 million. The project focuses on understanding and mitigating the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, with a primary emphasis on nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Rainfed agriculture is a cornerstone of Mzansi’s food production, but it also stands as a notable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock farming, fertiliser use, and changes in land use have been identified as key sources of emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable practices in the sector.
This collaborative effort spans European and African universities and institutions, including Rothamsted Research (UK), University College Dublin (Ireland), University of Nottingham (UK), University of Poznan (Poland), British Geological Surveys (BGS), University of Zambia (Zambia), University of Zimbabwe, and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Malawi).
The two-year project, initiated in December 2022 and scheduled to conclude in December 2024, aims to investigate the impact of conservation agriculture interventions on greenhouse gas emissions.
Climart-smart practices
Preliminary findings from Dlamini’s research at the UFS Kenilworth Experimental Farm highlight the potential of climate-smart agricultural practices, such as legume rotation and no-till agriculture, in reducing the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, the focus on mitigating nitrous oxide emissions is crucial, given its global warming potential 100 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year horizon.
Looking ahead, Dlamini stresses the importance of increasing research efforts to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from South African croplands.
He advocates for adopting field-based measurement methodologies, similar to those employed by other nations, to enhance the accuracy of South Africa’s greenhouse gas inventories submitted annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This meticulous approach, he believes, will contribute to the development of effective mitigation strategies, ensuring a sustainable future for rainfed agriculture in South Africa.
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