Ivor Price argues that South Africa possesses numerous tools and concepts required to create a food system resilient to climate change. The main task is to transform proven solutions into everyday practice, putting farmers at the forefront and harmonizing finance, technology, policy, and markets around actionable approaches.
After participating in the SADC Food Systems Transformation Dialogue in Durban, Price felt a familiar sense of urgency, coupled with an increased sense of immediacy, emphasizing that the region knows more than is generally assumed.
Across the region, farmers, researchers, financial institutions, development organizations, and governments have already been testing methods that promote agricultural resilience against climatic shocks. Data, technologies, and daily farmer innovations are available. Therefore, the question is not whether they know what to do, but whether they can organize themselves effectively enough to implement it on a wide scale.
Price moderated a panel discussion on scaling proven climate-smart technologies for enhancing agricultural resilience, which was part of a special session organized by Kagiso Trust during this dialogue. This session brought together experts in climatology, agriculture, finance, research, and the farming community.
The first fundamental principle is that climate-smart agriculture must generate economic returns. Climate resilience cannot be turned into just another development project with a short funding cycle and a complex acronym.
Farmers are not resistant to change; they are rational. They will adopt practices that make their farms more productive, sustainable, and profitable. The problem arises when the environmental benefits of the transition are obvious, but the financial return does not materialize immediately. Farmers should not be required to bear the costs of building resilience while the rest of the system operates on short-term financial cycles.
If healthy soils, diversified production, and sustainable ecosystems are valuable assets, then financial systems must view them as such. This requires patient capital, improved risk-sharing mechanisms, and the development of financial products that account for real agricultural conditions. Furthermore, it must be recognized that responsible farming is not merely an ecological virtue; increasingly, it is a matter of financial risk.
The second principle states that technology must serve the farmer, not the other way around. It is necessary to avoid confusing technological sophistication with actual progress. For a large commercial farm, precision equipment and advanced digital systems may have a transformative impact, whereas for a smallholder farmer, a completely different intervention might be far more beneficial.
Consequently, the starting point must be the farmer's problem, not the product of the technology provider. One must understand the problem, co-develop a solution, test it in real conditions, build a financial model around it, and then scale up what proves effective.
The same applies to data. South Africa is not necessarily suffering from a lack of climate and agricultural information; in many cases, there is more data than understanding of how to use it. The task is to link this data to decision-making. Farmers need information they can understand and act upon. Early warning systems must become early action systems. Climate awareness must reach those who make decisions about planting times, crop selection, livestock management, investment locations, and risk response.
Digital technologies play a huge role, but the technology itself is not the end goal; the outcome must be better and more timely decisions, as well as reduced risks.
The third principle, perhaps the most challenging, is that climate-smart agriculture cannot be scaled while operating in isolated silos. Government cannot do it alone, banks cannot, researchers cannot, farmers cannot, nor can development partners or the private sector. These elements must be interconnected.
Policy must support innovation, finance must enable the transition, research must respond to farmer needs, and agronomic advice must convey knowledge to communities. Infrastructure must make implementation possible, data must inform decisions, and markets must reward responsible production.
SADC has a particularly important opportunity here. Climate does not recognize borders, just like food markets, agricultural value chains, or many risks faced by farmers. Regional cooperation can help share successful practices, align policies, transfer knowledge and technology, and attract investments on a scale unattainable by individual countries.
However, there is an even greater opportunity here. We often talk about African agriculture as a problem to be solved. Price believes that we need to gain greater confidence in discussing agriculture as an opportunity to be unlocked. Opportunities exist to feed a growing population, create jobs, develop rural economies, restore degraded lands, establish new climate-resilient enterprises, and increase the attractiveness of farming for the next generation.
One phrase from the discussion captured this shift in thinking for him: 'Don't sell agriculture. Sell the opportunities within agriculture.'
Therefore, resilience should not simply be understood as the ability to survive the next climate shock. Resilience is an investment in the future of the food system. It is built in the soil, through diversification, improved information, responsible farming, patient investment, and strengthening the links between farmers and the institutions meant to serve them.
The true test of this dialogue will not be what is said in the room, but what happens after leaving it. Can they simplify, lower the cost, and reduce risks for farmers in adopting what is already known to work? Can they put farmers at the center, not at the end of the innovation chain? Can they align policy, finance, science, technology, and markets around a single goal? And can they stop celebrating pilot projects and start celebrating scale?
For Price, this is the work ahead, as the future of South African agriculture will be determined not by the number of good ideas they generate, but by how effectively they turn existing good ideas into everyday practice.
Despite ongoing issues with water scarcity, unreliable supply, and aging infrastructure in various communities, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo assured that South Africa will not exhaust its water reserves by 2030.
These statements were made yesterday at the International Conference on Water Issues and Solutions (ICWCS 2026), which was attended by the University of Zululand, the University of Chang'an, and the Water Science and Technology Research Centre. Experts, researchers, and policymakers gathered at the conference to seek solutions to growing water stress.
Mahlobo's confidence came amid persistent water challenges in South Africa. Specifically, Gauteng has experienced interruptions in recent months following failures at Rand Water pumping stations and a major pipeline burst. KwaZulu-Natal also faces shortages, forcing some communities to rely on emergency tankers while long-term projects for main infrastructure are developed.
Mahlobo emphasized the distinction between these local deficits and the prospect of complete depletion of the country's water resources. He acknowledged that South Africa is already facing localized shortages in certain catchments due to climate change, increased consumption and demand, population growth, economic growth, and migration.
The main task, according to him, is finding additional sources to meet growing demand. He stated that the country needs to move beyond traditional reliance on reservoirs, pointing to groundwater, desalination, reuse, and water restoration as key elements of the nation's future water strategy.
He noted that groundwater remains one of the best available sources, but its sustainable use requires more research and mapping of aquifers. Mahlobo stressed that groundwater is not a low-quality source and can be studied because the country is 'chasing every drop of water.'
Furthermore, Mahlobo drew attention to desalination, especially given South Africa's extensive coastline, although he admitted the associated energy demands and brine management complexities. He also highlighted the need for more active use of treated wastewater, asserting that 'reuse is not low-quality water.'
He added that scientific advancements allow one drop to be used millions of times while maintaining the necessary quality level. Ensuring the country's water future will require a fundamental shift in the approach to water resource management, including reducing losses and increasing efficiency. Mahlobo concluded that 'there is no luxury of wasting a drop of water; there is only one drop to be saved.'
Vice-Chancellor and Professor Nokutula Winifred Kunene noted that the conference must transform research and discussions into practical outcomes. She stated that South Africa, as well as the wider SADC region and many represented countries, is experiencing increasing pressure on both the quantity and quality of their water resources. Kunene emphasized that for South Africa, water security is not just an environmental issue, but an imperative for development, economy, and society.
Kunene insisted that the scale of the crisis requires collaboration among government, scientists, industry, water utilities, and the public. She stressed that these tasks cannot be solved solely by the government or universities in isolation, but require interaction between science, government, industry, water utilities, communities, and civil society.
Dr. Patrick Nonjola, Director of the National Research Foundation (NRF), stated that the world is time to move from recognizing the crisis to taking action. He believes that the world lacks not awareness of the water crisis, but the courage, cooperation, and competence to act at the required scale and speed. Nonjola called on the conference to help the sector transition from identifying problems to implementing sustainable solutions, so that the legacy of this gathering is reflected in healthier rivers, stronger institutions, resilient communities, and a more water-secure future for all.
The water problem is related not only to supply but also to water quality. A recent investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) revealed serious breakdowns in sewage infrastructure and contamination in some areas of the Eastern Cape, including an E. coli reading of 616,000 per 100 milliliters in West Bank. The Commission demanded enhanced monitoring and urgent corrective measures.
These findings emerged against the backdrop of President Cyril Ramaphosa's efforts to accelerate government response through the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, aimed at communities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape. Ramaphosa stated that the approach would be similar to the government's response to the energy crisis. The government asserts that it is responding to both short-term and long-term issues through the National Water Resource Action Plan, which focuses on stabilizing vulnerable systems, improving municipal operations, accelerating infrastructure implementation, reducing water losses, and diversifying sources.
In the context of changing climate patterns in South Africa, relying solely on general precipitation figures is becoming insufficient. An expert from Pannar Seed explains how managing field variability and prioritizing water retention can protect crops from prolonged droughts.
In South Africa's evolving agricultural landscape, maintaining stable crop production requires much more than just planting. It demands a deep commitment to managing climatic variability. Modern farming is a crucial pillar of food security and economic stability.
To sustain production levels amid environmental changes, success largely depends on precision agriculture, careful hybrid selection, and smarter water resource management, demonstrating the fundamental role of informed decision-making in agriculture.
By integrating field data early in the planning stages, farmers can actively protect their investments from seasonal shocks. This proactive approach ensures that fields are managed not just for a single harvest, but for long-term sustainability, thereby stabilizing the agricultural sector as a whole.
For the modern producer, understanding the changing weather dynamics has become critically important. As farmers prepare for upcoming seasons, they are advised to look beyond traditional agricultural calendars to understand where true resilience begins.
De Bron Maiburg, an agronomy manager at Pannar Seed with over 11 years of experience, considers current weather shifts a turning point for the industry. He notes that producers' approach to rainfall must fundamentally change to align with new realities.
Maiburg explains: 'Traditionally, farmers planned based on relatively predictable seasons and rainfall patterns. But today, we often receive the same amount of rain, yet it comes in smaller bursts, and sometimes these events are very intense when they do occur. Then follow very long periods of drought.'
This unpredictable climatic pattern means that survival in agriculture depends on a shift in perspective. General seasonal precipitation figures no longer provide the full picture. Instead, operational survival depends on how effectively every drop is utilized on the land.
He continues: 'This means we are no longer focusing only on the total amount of rainfall. We must shift our focus to capturing, storing, and efficiently using those millimeters that fall during the season. Crop production now requires more attention to sustainability, flexibility, and risk management, rather than just maximizing yield.'
A common assumption in modern farming is that climate variability affects all parts of the farm equally. However, agronomists refute this, demonstrating how precise field management can protect crops from severe drought and weather fluctuations.
The strategy heavily relies on mapping field variations to mitigate risks without compromising overall productivity. Localized interventions focus on a deep understanding of localized data to create climate-ready operations. For producers aiming to define one main priority before the next season, key attention must be paid to field data.
Maiburg advises: 'I think if I were in a farmer's shoes, I would focus on understanding the variability within my own fields and managing it accordingly. Whether it's soil testing, yield analysis methods, or even conducting trials on hybrid placement or improving soil health.'
Ultimately, these practices prove that risk reduction and operational efficiency work in tandem. By focusing on variables under their direct control, producers can simultaneously lower their risk profile, optimize resource use, and protect their profits.
Maiburg concludes: 'Farmers who best understand and manage variability will be the most resilient in the increasingly unpredictable climate we are witnessing and experiencing in our current situation.' He adds: 'Therefore, I believe that resilience for me starts with making informed decisions. That is where the key component lies.'
Despite South Africa producing sufficient amounts of food, the country continues to face a growing crisis of child malnutrition. Lori Lake, an education specialist from UCT, explains the causes of growth stunting and childhood obesity and proposes practical solutions to improve nutrition, reduce poverty levels, and protect children's health.
Child malnutrition in South Africa has long-term negative effects on life. For instance, stunting impairs physical development and cognitive abilities in children, limiting their opportunities in education and employment. Children with stunting and excess weight are at increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, placing a significant burden on South Africa's healthcare system.
Thus, child malnutrition contributes to the formation of an intergenerational cycle of poverty and health problems, leading to high costs for individual children, their families, and South African society as a whole. Moreover, even though the country produces a food surplus, children die of hunger, and mortality from severe acute malnutrition is only the tip of the iceberg.
For over two decades, the Institute of Children at the University of Cape Town has been conducting research on the condition of children in South Africa, covering issues of health, poverty, and nutrition. The Institute advocates for legislative reforms to ensure the rights of these children and runs child rights courses for healthcare professionals and related fields.
Research has shown the slow impact of malnutrition on this vulnerable population group. The Children Count project, which analyzes key indicators affecting South African children, demonstrates a worsening situation.
More than a quarter of young children in South Africa suffer from stunting, and this figure has remained persistently high for decades. Equally alarming is the rapid increase in cases of overweight and obesity among children, which also affects a quarter of young children. Since 2016, these figures have almost doubled—from 13% to 22.3%.
However, the problem is solvable. Early interventions are vital. Studies show that malnutrition during the first 1000 days of life (from conception to the child's second birthday) can have irreversible consequences for long-term health and development. Timely actions to support optimal nutrition can reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, promote human capital accumulation, and stimulate economic development.
To develop effective solutions, it is necessary to move beyond individual behavior and address the root causes. Many children live in families experiencing severe food shortages, where caregivers skip meals to protect children from hunger.
Nearly 40% of children live in households below the food poverty line, with per capita incomes of less than 855 rand (US$52) per month, or 29 rand (US$1.77) per day. This is insufficient to meet children's basic nutritional needs, let alone provide a balanced and nutrient-rich diet.
Concurrently, global food corporations have flooded South African markets with cheap ultra-processed foods containing high amounts of sugar, salt, and saturated fats but few nutrients, contributing to the rapid rise in obesity. Many children live in 'food deserts' where healthy food is either unavailable or too expensive.
These violations of children's right to basic nutrition have been the subject of investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission. During the first round of public hearings in March 2026, the author and colleagues urged the commission to make children the focus of its public investigation into the food system. The second round of hearings (from July 6 to 10, 2026) focused on the roles and responsibilities of major retailers.
Child malnutrition is a complex issue requiring the involvement of the entire society to ensure the availability and affordability of healthy food. Based on the research conducted, five policy recommendations were proposed.
Firstly, South Africa should begin investing in maternal health and nutrition. Pregnancy is a period of increased nutrient demand, where food insecurity threatens both the mother and her unborn child. Therefore, civil society calls for the introduction of a maternity support grant starting from the second trimester of pregnancy. This grant should automatically transition into a child benefit after birth to prevent complications and low birth weight, support healthy growth and development, and provide financial support at the most critical time.
Secondly, the country needs to improve infant and young child feeding. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective methods for preventing both undernutrition and overnutrition, yet only one in five infants (0-6 months) in South Africa receives exclusive breastfeeding. Furthermore, only one in four young children (6-12 months) has a minimally adequate diet. Thus, the healthcare system plays a critical role in better supporting breastfeeding mothers and transitioning to complementary feeding. It must also respond promptly to the first signs of growth retardation and ensure that children at risk of malnutrition have access to support through Therapeutic Feeding Programs or child benefits.
Furthermore, nutritional support must continue throughout life. Schools and early development programs are important channels for providing daily meals to children, which helps alleviate hunger and gives them energy for play and learning. The national school feeding program covers over 9 million students, while preschool subsidies support a much smaller proportion of younger children. However, neither program provides support during the most critical period: the first two years of life, when children are most vulnerable to stunting and severe acute malnutrition.
The child benefit is the only program that provides food support to younger children on a large scale, but its value (580 rand per month or 20 rand per day) is decreasing due to food price inflation. Advocates demand that the government increase the benefit amount to at least the level of the food poverty line for children up to two years old.
These government investments are only part of the solution. It is also crucial to regulate the food industry by increasing taxes to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks, clearly labeling products high in salt, sugar, and fat, and ensuring these products are not advertised to children.
In conclusion, South Africa can begin creating a healthier food environment and simplifying the choice of healthy food for both children and their families. The authors hope that the commission will develop clear recommendations to prevent the food industry from profiting at the expense of the health and nutrition of the youngest and most vulnerable children.
