In this complex and dynamic scenario, where growing population levels and correspondingly growing demand for food and nutrition must be considered as a crucial aspect, a policy framework that fosters and adequately protects and rewards investment in research, innovation and technology is vital to successfully address the challenges posed by climate change. Innovation will play an essential role in both mitigation of emissions and adaptation to climate change as related to agriculture. Yield-increasing technologies, management practices and approaches can provide a significant contribution to environmental preservation by reducing demand for uncultivated land. Innovation and the spread of innovative technologies require, among others, open markets, an enabling regulatory framework and the effective protection of intellectual property rights.
Crop Development Investment in new crop varieties to increase tolerance to water and heat stress will be essential. For example, the biotechnology sector can play a major part in helping to address the negative effects and consequences of climate change, especially with respect to greenhouse gas reduction, crops adaptation, and the protection of and increases in yield with less surface.
· Crop Protection
Effective harvest protection from weeds, pests and diseases is crucial to increasing productivity. The production of fruit and vegetable crops, vital for healthier global diets, is especially threatened by pests’ pressure and other climate change-related effects. The responsible use of crop protection products as well as properly implemented integrated pest management strategies are and will remain important instruments for combating pests and preserving harvest and food supply.
· Fertilizers
While fertilizer production makes a contribution to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, major research is being carried out by industry to minimize fertilizer-related greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, appropriate and responsible use of fertilizers and sustainable nutrients can make a contribution to helping plants capture more carbon, fostering higher yields and slowing the decline of soil organic matter.
* Carbon Sequestration
The process of transferring atmospheric CO2 into soil and biotic pools can enhance soil quality, increase agronomic productivity, improve quality of natural waters, and lower rates of anoxia (decrease in the level of oxygen) or hypoxia (dead water) in coastal ecosystems.
· Soil Conservation
Conservation Agriculture techniques, such as low or no-till agriculture, made possible through the use of herbicides, prevents wind and water erosion and loss of ground moisture, improves soil biodiversity, increases soil fertility, and reduces carbon emissions. In addition, by limiting soil disturbance and promoting a permanent soil cover, conservation agriculture can contribute to limiting emissions from agriculture by increasing soil carbon content and preventing erosion.
· Adjustments in Farm Practices:
The following soil and crop technologies can increase soil carbon sequestration: No-till (NT) farming with residue mulch and cover cropping, integrated nutrient management (INM), which balances nutrient application with judicious use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers, various crop rotations (including agro forestry), use of soil amendments (such as zeolites, biochar, or compost), and restoration of degraded or desertified soils, which can be achieved through afforestation and reforestation. In addition, the development of prediction tool models and on-site diagnostics can optimise farm practises by minimizing the inputs (fertilizer, water, agrochemicals) and maximising the yield.
· Adopting Good Agricultural Practices and New Technologies
The technology and knowledge is available to achieve significant reductions. For example, by improving the management of operations using Good Agricultural Practices, one can reduce energy consumption and decrease direct GHG emissions in the natural gas-based ammonia production, which carries the largest share of the industry’s emissions.
* Insurance Mechanisms
Innovative insurance mechanisms should be explored to compensate rural communities and smallholder farmers in case of natural disasters. Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of its high proportion of low-input, rainfed agriculture, compared with Asia or Latin America. Exposure to rainfall variability also extends to livestock, which mostly depend on range and grasslands that are affected by environmental shocks, such as climate change.
· Innovative Water Management
Several steps can be taken to improve water management and water quality in the context of climate change and increasing strains on water resources. This will be to the overall benefit of agricultural production. For example, improvements can be made by transferring and implementing irrigation technology (such as localised irrigation systems, sensors to avoid over-irrigation, etc.) and rainwater harvesting, while crop technology to improve crops’ ability to adapt to changing soil moisture conditions will be essential. At the same time, reaching innovative solutions for water financing and policy-making will be important for sustainable water management. Re-use of urban wastewater and alternative water supplies (e.g. industrial wastewater recycling) for agricultural production can in cases also help to reduce water wastage.
This is an excerpt from the Agricultural Business Chamber presentation to the portfolio committee in Parliament on the agribusinesses’ position on climate change. The presentation is available for download on the ABC website