Climate-smart agriculture for sustainable agricultural sectors: The case of Mooifontein

Abstract

Climate change is an environmental phenomenon with the potential to exacerbate existing disaster risks and cause extensive human, financial and environmental losses. The Mooifontein agricultural region in South Africa is considered to be a region vulnerable to climate change–associated risks. These climate risks would pose a substantial threat to the livelihoods of farmers in the Mooifontein area. This article aims to explore climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a resilience-building tool to ensure sustainable agricultural practices. A qualitative research approach was utilised to gain insights into climate change and the lived experiences of farmers and agricultural experts in Mooifontein. The findings revealed that agricultural communities should focus on the identification and application of adaptation strategies like CSA. The adoption of appropriate CSA practices will play a vital role in ensuring sustainable livelihoods and improved community resilience for farming communities in the Mooifontein region.

The Dynamics of Climate Change Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Climate-Smart Agriculture among Small-Scale Farmers

“…The concept of CSA gives a more holistic approach to addressing climate change issues in the small-scale farming system of developing countries, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa [80]. Climate-smart agricultural practices include proven effective agricultural practices or techniques that agree with the three main pillars of the concept: improved productivity, adaptation and resilience, and the lowering or removal of greenhouse gas emissions [81].…”

Building adaptive capacity: Reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

“…Rural economies in Africa are particularly sensitive to the direct impacts of climate change, because many of them depend heavily on agriculture and ecosystems (Mathews, Kruger, & Wentink, ; Ngongondo et al, ; United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], ). People in rural areas of Zimbabwe depend heavily on agriculture as their primary source of food and livelihood (Fanelli & Dumba, ).…”

“…Rural economies in Africa are particularly sensitive to the direct impacts of climate change, because many of them depend heavily on agriculture and ecosystems (Mathews, Kruger, & Wentink, 2018;Ngongondo et al, 2016; United Nations Development Programme…”

Adapting to climate change: Reflections of peasant farmers in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe

“…Population growth, urbanisation, agricultural growth and land-use change present the effects; hence, developing countries need to address resource management issues urgently. Africa will feel the impact more because of slow technological changes within the continent and its economies depend more on agriculture (Mathews 2016; Mathews, Kruger & Wentink 2018). Climate change impact studies, although they are still uncertain on the frequency and severity of adverse weather events, have shown that the effects are significant for low-input farming systems, such as subsistence farming in marginal areas and because of socio-economic, demographic and policy trends have the least capacity to adapt to changing climatic conditions (Mutekwa 2009).…”