The 2023 annual conference of the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) held in Polokwane, Limpopo, witnessed a vibrant exchange of views on understanding and addressing the challenges posed by nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in the region. Farmers, policymakers, and experts gathered to discuss emerging issues, highlighting the need for collaboration, effective policy implementation, and research relevance.
Andrea Campher, risk and disaster manager at Agri SA, urged participants to adopt a fresh approach to tackle the climate crisis. “Not all of us are farmers here today. Some of us are in policy positions and we are able to influence policy,” she said.
Campher emphasised the significance of political will and funding from countries to assist the agricultural sector in adapting to climate change. She called for breaking down silos and synergising concepts like climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction through policy.
Furthermore, Campher stressed the importance of capitalising on research to make farmers more climate resilient and profitable.
‘Involve indigenous communities’
Jitu Soni, a former Tanzanian parliament member and businessman, underscored the need for better communication among farmers’ unions. He highlighted the repetition of ideas and research across countries and suggested the establishment of a mechanism to disseminate research findings effectively.
“If everybody knows that, let’s say in South Africa, certain research is going on or in Malawi or in Tanzania, those interested will start following up,” Soni remarked. He also acknowledged the potential of technology in enabling farmers to access news and data, even while working from their homes.
SACAU board member Dr Mathabo Tsepa mentioned the importance of research relevance and community engagement. She particularly highlighted the significance of indigenous knowledge and methodologies in research.
Tsepa expressed the need for inclusive research practices that involve indigenous communities throughout the research process. “Researchers, even those with good intentions, have come into the indigenous communities doing or carrying out research on and about indigenous communities without involving the indigenous communities through the research methodologies, design, and framework,” she emphasised.
Collaboration and implementation crucial
Ralf Rogowski, a consultant and project manager, drew on the German example to shed light on long-term collaboration and trust-building. He emphasised the need for permanent working groups that unite stakeholders from various sectors.
Rogowski stressed that trust is a crucial factor for the success of these working groups. “I heard from some contributions that this is not always the case here between the farming community and research,” he noted. He highlighted the importance of open discussions where competitors can share their problems and concerns without fear of information misuse.
The conference served as a platform for farmers and stakeholders to share their perspectives on addressing the challenges posed by NDCs in southern Africa. The participants emphasised the importance of collaboration, effective policy implementation, and research relevance in tackling the climate crisis.
The SACAU conference, representing the collective interests of farmers in southern Africa through its 19-member national farmers’ associations in 12 countries, provided a vital platform for stakeholders to exchange views and expertise on addressing the challenges related to NDCs.
The conference highlighted the significance of collaboration, effective policy implementation, and research relevance in achieving climate action goals. It is hoped that these collective efforts will contribute to the development and implementation of robust strategies to build climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in southern Africa.
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