A review of climate change adaptation measures in the African crop sector

ABSTRACT

In sub-Saharan Africa, farmers face the pressing challenge of climate change that affects crop production. To cushion themselves against climate change, farmers need to invest in appropriate adaptation measures. This study investigates and reviews adaptation measures in the crop sector of 21 African countries. The main source of data are National Communications under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. To obtain the latest data and information the Second and Third National Communications were retrieved. Using a grounded theory approach, 33 categories of adaptation measures emerged, which were later collapsed into six thematic adaptation areas. Then an in-depth analysis of relevant documents and a systematic literature review were conducted. From the adaptation categories, conservation agriculture; water, irrigation and flood management; crop diversification; inputs and subsidies; disease and pest management; and weather-based index insurance emerged. The findings show that African governments have identified many adaptation measures and have claimed some success. However, it was evident that some limiting factors remain in building a climate-resilient crop sector. The research concludes that although governments claim success in adaptation measures that have been put in place, additional studies should be conducted to verify and confirm the success of such adaptation approaches being applied.

KEYWORDS:

• Adaptation
• climate change
• crops
• resilience
• vulnerability

Acknowledgements

This research is supported by the Exxaro Chair in Business and Climate Change under UNISA’s Institute for Corporate Citizenship hosted by the University of South Africa.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr Shepherd Muchuru is a climate change expert with over 15 years professional and research experience and currently working at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat as the Regional Programme Officer (Climate Change). His focus areas include climate finance, adaptation, mitigation, climate science and applications, with proven experience in Asia and Africa, respectively. Dr Muchuru has published widely in the areas of climate change and sustainable development. His other tasks include providing technical expertise to SADC member states in the development and coordination of appropriate policies as well as maintaining and creating strategic partnerships and resource mobilization initiatives.

Godwell Nhamo is a Full Professor at the University of South Africa and undertakes research in the fields of Climate Change and Governance, Green Economy and Sustainable Development. Prof Nhamo has published widely in the areas of Climate Change and Governance, Green Economy and Sustainable Development, including climate financing and has over 20 years of work experience. Among his offerings are 6 books (5 edited) and over 60 journal articles. Since 2013, Prof Nhamo has graduated 10 PhDs and hosted 10 postdoctoral fellows. Professor Nhamo sits in a number of both international and national boards in his research space. He has also received several awards and recognitions for his outstanding work both locally and internationally.

ORCID

Godwell Nhamo http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5465-2168

Notes

1 The different selected countries are Botswana, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Seychelles, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

2 The 2nd and 3rd in brackets for the countries denote the Second National Communication and the Third National Communication documents used as sources of secondary data.