Over the weekend the Western Cape minister of agriculture, Ivan Meyer, officially signed a memorandum of understanding between the province’s agricultural department and the Californian department of food and agriculture (CDFA). This signals a cooperation in agriculture promoting shared sustainable practices in agriculture to benefit both regions.
The partnership is also expected to result in best practices in the field of climate change to be shared between the two regions.
The agreement includes the exchange of information on climate change mitigation and best practices within the agricultural sector, while also connecting academic institutions to further research and collaborate on water-use efficiency in the sector. In addition to this, the agrement aims to promote the use and availability of climate-smart agricultural technology and on-farm practices to improve soil health, water-use efficiency, and modelling to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking at the virtual signing ceremony, Meyer said he was looking forward to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States.
“Our view is that this cooperation will strengthen the resilience of the Western Cape’s agricultural sector and the provincial government’s ability to respond to climate change. There are also real and tangible benefits to be gained from an exchange between the Western Cape department of agriculture and the CDFA on food practices and technologies to support the robust and climate resilient agricultural sector,” Meyer said.
“Today we are taking a step closer in ensuring the future of agriculture in the Western Cape and the region of California. It is a memorable occasion and signals an exciting period for the two regions.”
Ivan Meyer, Western Cape minister of agriculture
The signing of the memorandum of understanding on sustainable agriculture was also attended by the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, and Karen Ross, secretary from the CDFA and acting U.S. consul general, who pointed out that she could think of no better partner for California than the Western Cape.
Speaking at the ceremony Ross said she appreciated the friendship that they had with the province and were looking forward to deepening the relationship.
“Climate change and sustainability are vital issues for communities, food security and the future of our planet. I am especially pleased to be able to execute this memorandum of understanding as we look to advance our collaboration in connecting farmers, academia and government.
“We know that climate smart agriculture requires information sharing. We have to be committed to science and be science driven. But it also is [the] exchange of information [and] the opportunity for exchanges of delegations to see and share things up close and personal,” Ross pointed out in her speech.
Meanwhile Winde highlighted that the agricultural sector in the Western Cape and California both had many similarities. He pointed out that both regions have Mediterranean climates which were essential for food security globally. Winde also said that there were many similarities and challenges related to production, climate, and soils.
ALSO READ: Reducing inequality could help tackle climate change
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
