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Keywords: economic diversification; drought resilience; smallholder farming; rural
Official title: "Investment decisions in water and rural development programs to promote food security, the resilience of smallholder farmers, and rural economic transformation in South Africa"
This WPE project explores the economic, social, and institutional conditions that may support smallholder farmers (SHFs) in South Africa to build resilience against climate change, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote sustainable farming practices that use water-efficient technologies.
South Africa is a water-stressed country. Therefore, initiatives that increase the stock of water available in the country and reduce the amount of expenses spent on wastewater treatment are highly relevant to societal and environmental challenges.
The promotion of sustainable farming practices that prevent water scarcity within smallholder farming communities helps not only to address the major economic problems encountered in the country – unemployment, growth, inequality – but also provides the agricultural sector with a stronger ability to remain resilient to drought and major climate variability. Another key aspect of this project will be the investigation of cyclical droughts on SHFs sustainability. Throughout the southern African region, we see the debilitating effect of drought on food security, agricultural productivity, and farmer livelihoods.