Adapting to change: How local farmers use tradition to combat climate impacts sustainably

Whether dealing with blind moles, weeds, changes in weather patterns or harsh weather conditions, subsistence and small to medium-scale farmers are showing resilience and using intuition and indigenous knowledge to farm and secure food access sustainably.

Experts shared these survival tactics at a virtual seminar titled Indigenous Approaches to Adaptation, hosted by the Rural Change for Climate Adaptation Organisation, Social Change Assistance Trust, the Heinrich Boll Stiftung and other partners.

Director of Sustaining the Wild Coast and winner of the 2024 Goldman Prize for the environment, Sinegugu Zukulu, was one of three speakers. He said that in some rural areas, people notice changes in the climate, but do not necessarily call it “climate change” or are even aware of the term, especially in the more far-flung and isolated areas. Zukulu said that farmers had created climate adaptation strategies born out of necessity.

Over the years farmers have used adaptive strategies like planting certain crops at the edge of their fields.

“The floods which killed almost 500 people in Durban, their impact was not confined to KZN but reached the northern parts of Eastern Cape. The fields where people grow sweet potatoes and yams were affected, so farmers had to come up with adaptation strategies because if your sweet potato sits in waterlogged soil for three to five days you must forget it, all your sweet potatoes will be rotten,” said Zukulu.

Along with fellow activist Nonhle Mbuthuma, Zukulu stopped seismic testing for oil and gas off the Eastern Cape Wild Coast through court action. They organised the community to halt oil and gas exploration in a biodiverse area which contains migratory whales, dolphins and other wildlife.

Zukulu said farmers in the northern Eastern Cape dig furrows around their fields so they can manage the amount of water that enters the field, and they redirect the excess surface flow. This helps lessen the impact of heavy rains, protecting the crops, especially amadumbe (taro yams) and sweet potatoes, which are winter harvest crops that are not meant to deal with lots of rain and need dry soil to thrive.

Another strategy that farmers use is diversifying crops “to make sure they are not relying on a single crop to ensure that if one does not work out, you do not lose the whole garden.

“The traditional way of planting in Pondoland is ukuhlwayela, which is scattering of seeds, whereas some plough and insert the seeds. In areas to the north of Port St Johns, the soil is so fertile they do not need to add fertilisers, but in other areas they do use natural fertilisers like cow dung and, unfortunately, chemical fertilisers. People who have been able to protect their soil by using traditional methods are doing great,” said Zukulu.

Zukulu also spoke of how indigenous farming methods had protected wetlands for use in sustainable agriculture. The wetlands are preserved because the surrounding areas make for good farming land due to their high moisture content. This preservation is significant as South Africa has lost approximately 50% of its original wetland areas.

In his 2023 paper titled “Climate Change Adaptation: A Global Review of Farmers’ Strategies”, researcher Venu Prasad wrote that building an effective agricultural adaptation strategy helped to ensure food security in a world challenged by climate change constraints.

“Government and private individuals worldwide have been adopting short and long-term response strategies to cope with erratic climate change impacts. Crop and livestock diversification, altering or optimising planting dates, land, pest and nutrient management decisions, insurance and temporary migration were identified as the popular short-term adaptation measures among farmers around the globe, irrespective of the agro-ecological zone they belong to,” wrote Prasad.

“Capital-intensive long-term adaptation strategies like changing crop type and location, modernisation of farms and practising novel technologies, improved water management practices and permanent migration of labour were adopted by farmers, though on a limited scale.”

Commercial adaptation

While climate adaptation strategies and sustainable farming practices thrive in small to medium farms, commercial farmers are still behind on the journey because of the costs of chemical-free or minimal-chemical farming practices.

The Bureau for Food and Agriculture Policy on Wednesday released an extensive report on the European Green Deal and South African agriculture, looking at the potential impact of reduced pest control measures.

This data-driven research detailed the impact on South African farmers if they abided by the European Union’s Green Deal, which encourages the ban of multiple insecticides and pesticides that are still commonly used in South African farming.

The European Green Deal is a strategic roadmap set by the European Union (EU) to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Central to this initiative is the Farm to Fork strategy “which aims to make food production more sustainable by using less agricultural chemicals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change”.

In the report, researchers noted that the EU is a key market for South African agricultural produce, “especially horticulture products, and the proposed reduction in pesticide use and the introduction of a mirror clause requiring non-EU countries to adhere to EU standards could have profound economic and practical implications for South African farmers.

“Key crops such as maize, pome fruits, table grapes and citrus are at risk of increased production costs, supply reduction and potential market access issues due to the banning or restriction of essential pesticides,” the report found.

It concluded that while the move towards more sustainable farming practices was commendable, the economic feasibility and practical implementation of these changes needed careful consideration.

“South African farmers may face increased costs for pest control, reduced quality, and the need for more frequent applications of alternative pesticides. These factors could lead to a decrease in profitability and competitiveness in the global market.

“The impact of these regulations will vary by region and crop, with some areas more affected than others. For instance, citrus producers in regions free from certain pests may fare better than those in heavily infested areas,” the report reads.

The report said the cost implications would vary due to availability and efficacy of alternative pest control measures.

“To navigate these challenges, South African farmers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders will have to collaborate to develop strategies that balance compliance with EU regulations and environmental sustainability with economic viability.

“This includes exploring new markets for South Africa’s produce, investing in research and development for alternative pest control methods, and advocating for fair and science-based trade regulations.

“A collaborative effort will be vital to ensure that South African agriculture remains competitive and capable of meeting both domestic and international demands,” the report reads.

Whether they’re leaning towards sustainable farming or commercial farming, experts agree that policy that encourages sustainable farming practices with incentives, intention, financial and educational support is necessary to encourage change and to maintain it for those already practising climate-adaptive farming. DM