South Africa is experiencing significant biodiversity loss, primarily due to habitat degradation between 1990 and 2018. According to the South African Rooibos Council, the country has also lost approximately 0.12% of its natural vegetation annually, with the rate doubling to 0.24% per year between 2014 and 2018.
In response to these challenges, the rooibos industry has demonstrated how sustainable farming practices can protect endangered species, restore natural habitats and contribute to global efforts to curb biodiversity loss.
Marthane Swart, secretariat for the Rooibos Council, highlighted how local farmers are taking a proactive approach to conservation.
“Many rooibos farmers are implementing measures to restore and protect the unique biodiversity of the Cederberg region. This includes habitat restoration, conservation of indigenous plant species, and the protection of endangered wildlife, such as the leopard of the Cape. Our farmers are showing that sustainable agriculture and conservation can go hand in hand,” Swart said.
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Dawie Burger, managing director of Sustainable Cedar, believes the rooibos industry can play a significant role in restoring the critically endangered Clanwilliam Cedar in the Cederberg Wilderness area.
Benefits of sustainable agriculture
“Revitalising the cedar is essential for preserving the region’s unique biodiversity. While some Rooibos farmers have joined conservation efforts, broader participation is crucial. Expanding collaboration would not only support environmental sustainability, but also uplift local communities, demonstrating how agriculture and conservation can work hand in hand,” Burger said.
According to Swart, farmers who have committed to sustainable agriculture are seeing long-term benefits, not only for their crops, but for the surrounding environment.
“By maintaining biodiversity corridors and avoiding monoculture practices, they are helping to preserve the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Many rooibos farmers have also adopted sustainable farming techniques, such as crop rotation, organic farming and reducing chemical inputs, to preserve soil health and water resources,” Swart explained.
He said with climate change and biodiversity loss posing severe threats to ecosystems worldwide, the efforts of rooibos farmers offer a promising example of how industries can balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
“The continued expansion of conservation areas, sustainable farming initiatives and eco-tourism projects not only safeguard the environment, but also secure the future of rooibos farming itself,” Swart said.
Meanwhile, Monique Ruthenberg, CapeNature conservation manager for the Cederberg Complex, said the collaboration between Sustainable Cedar, CapeNature and local communities, including rooibos farmers, has been instrumental in restoring the Clanwilliam Cedar.
“Our combined efforts, include establishing nurseries, propagating seedlings, replanting thousands of cedars and raising fire awareness, all of which have spurred job creation.
Promoting rooibos and conservation
“We remain committed to supporting sustainable practices that benefit both nature and the communities reliant on it, reinforcing the importance of reinvesting in conservation for long-term sustainability. When conservation agencies, farmers and communities stand together, we know we are on the right path toward a sustainable future,” Ruthenberg said.
The Rooibos Council said the Rooibos Heritage Route, an initiative designed to showcase the region’s unique biodiversity and cultural significance, is another example of how the industry is promoting conservation.
“This route takes visitors through the heart of rooibos country, offering insights into sustainable farming practices, local heritage and the natural wonders of the Cederberg. Through eco-tourism, farmers are not only generating additional income, but also raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation,” the council said in a statement.
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