There is now global consensus that plough-based farming, which is still widely practised, has unsustainable foundations.
Ploughing and the removal of crop residues after harvest leave soil exposed to wind and rain, leading to gradual soil degradation and increasing our vulnerability to climate change.
Conservation agriculture practices
The 3 key elements of CA – minimum tillage; crop diversification; and permanent cover – make it doubly valuable in our warming world: both reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and mitigating climate-related events such as prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall.
CA also improves soil health and fertility by conserving organic matter and minimising erosion, allowing soils to retain water and nutrients more effectively. This makes crops more resilient to extreme weather and improves water infiltration and retention, reducing the need for irrigation and boosting drought resistance.
Converting to CA requires first correcting any deficiencies in the soil and negating compacted layers. Unfortunately, the machinery required for this process is expensive, but is readily available and can be rented.
Although the conversion is not capital-intensive, it is management-intensive, which means that farmers need to be prepared to be actively involved on the farm.
However, it is important to balance any initial costs, time and effort required against the cost savings – such as water, fertiliser, pesticides, and machinery – and higher yields that this farming system brings, both of which lead to greater profitability in the long term.
Yet, despite the clear benefits of the practice, only 25% of South Africa’s arable land is farmed under CA principles, according to the latest research from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for 2021.
However, the study also shows that the area under CA production in South Africa increased by 366% from 2016 to 2019, suggesting that the uptake of CA on the continent is accelerating.
CA safeguards environmental and business resilience
Another obstacle may be that, in contrast to organic or free-range produce, there is currently no certification that makes CA produce more desirable to consumers or allows producers to sell their produce at a premium.
However, CA farmers who undertake carbon assessments can demonstrate that their produce has a lower carbon footprint, which has positive implications from both a business and environmental resilience perspective. This is especially true as carbon tariffs like the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism are implemented.
In addition, consumer demand for responsibly produced goods continues to grow. For example, a 2022 Nielsen report found that 73% of global consumers would definitely or probably change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact, while 64% of respondents in the 2024 Simon-Kucher Global Sustainability Study consider environmental sustainability one of their top 3 purchasing considerations.
However, it could be argued that the biggest incentives currently for switching to CA are the reduced input costs, higher and more stable yields and lower risks on a whole-farm basis.
For example, a study conducted with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, in which wheat production at the Langgewens and Tygerhoek research farms was studied from 2002 to 2020, confirmed that CA wheat production is more profitable and increases a farm’s resilience to climate change by improving nutrient cycling, water efficiency and soil structure, and reducing soil erosion, weeds, pests and diseases.
Arm yourself with knowledge to reap the benefits of CA
Barriers to the adoption of CA in South Africa appear to be a lack of knowledge and a reluctance to change, and it requires a major mindset change and some upfront adjustments before the rewards can be reaped.
Nedbank believes its role extends beyond simply financing the transition to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. The bank leverages its expertise and understanding of the sector to raise awareness of sustainable agricultural practices like CA, sponsors sustainability-focused awards and events, and has partnered with WWF-SA for decades to highlight the importance of sustainability among producers, companies, and communities.
