Climate change is no longer a conversation for tomorrow. It is already changing the way farmers plant, produce and plan for the future. This was the message delivered by Mpho Makhanya from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) during the Mpumalanga Production and Money Matters for Farmers Information Workshop hosted by African Farming and Hurwitz Farming at The Bull Ring Auction House.
By Maphuti Mongatane, business development manager at African Farming
What made the session stand out was the level of interaction from farmers. Questions flowed throughout the presentation as producers sought practical ways to deal with drought, changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and increasing production risks. Rather than focusing on the problem, Makhanya focused on solutions. She encouraged farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture, a farming approach that improves productivity while helping farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions.
One of the key recommendations was rainwater harvesting, which allows farmers to capture and store water for future use instead of relying solely on rainfall.
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Makhanya also highlighted mulching, a simple but effective practice that helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil health.
Makhanya further unpacked climate-smart production systems such as crop rotation, intercropping and hydroponics, explaining how these methods can improve soil fertility, reduce disease pressure and support year-round production while using water more efficiently.
One of the topics that generated significant interest was the use of bioslurry through integrated farming systems. Makhanya explained how cow dung can be used in biogas digesters to produce energy for households, while the nutrient-rich slurry produced by the system can be applied as an organic fertiliser in vegetable gardens. These systems, which are already being implemented successfully in some communities, combine water harvesting, crop production, livestock and renewable energy into one sustainable model.
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Climate-smart Practices for Profit and Sustainability
The message to farmers was clear: Climate-smart agriculture is good not only for the environment but also for business. Improved water efficiency, healthier soils, lower production costs, reduced losses and better yields all contribute towards stronger and more profitable farming enterprises. As farmers continue to face growing climate challenges, sessions such as these are proving increasingly valuable. The enthusiasm and engagement from farmers throughout the workshop showed that producers are ready to learn, adapt and embrace practical solutions that will help secure the future of their farms.
And if the discussion in Mpumalanga was anything to go by, farmers are not waiting for climate change to dictate their future, they are preparing for it.
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