Climate Change and African Agriculture.

We would like to take a wild guess that you might have heard of climate change (CC) one way or the other. Either through the news, social media or scientific webinars or conferences. It is even possible that you have a first-hand experience of the devasting effects of CC. Even then, it will not be a bad idea to refresh our memories.

Climate change is the overall change in the weather pattern of a region over a long time frame usually thity years minimum. Indeed climate change includes changes in rainfall precipitation, land/surface temperature, ice sheets, atmospheric water vapour, precipitation, ocean/sea level, and cloud cover. This change results largely from human activities including but not restricted to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, which contribute to the high concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat within the atmosphere, which can have a range of effects on ecosystems, including rising sea levels from melting ice, higher ocean temperature, severe weather events, and droughts that render landscapes more susceptible to wildfires.  However, one might be puzzled as to what has that got to do with Agriculture and particularly, Africa. 

The effect of climate change has a huge impact on agricultural production. This is because the choice of the optimal crops cultivated and the choice of the best planting and harvesting periods depend directly on the climatic conditions prevailing in each region. For aquaculture and fisheries, rainfall patterns and quantities, natural water bodies volumes, dam water volumes etc are cogent factors of decision making for farmers and fisherfolk. Livestock production activities are also dependent on temperature, rainfall pattern, feedstuff that comes from crop production etc. This implies that climate change has direct impacts on agricultural and aquacultural production and their productivity. Consequently, farmers’ income, livelihoods of fisherfolk and other dependent businesses will be affected. 

Climate Change features such as rising temperatures, flooding, inadequate rainfall and precipitation have posed a huge challenge in agricultural production for farmers across the globe. This is even more severe in Africa since;  

          (1) Agricultural systems remain largely rain-fed, with few technological inputs and 

         (2) The majority are small scale or subsistence farmers whose farm output is targeted towards the           basic needs of the farmer due to limited opportunities, poverty and lack of access to infrastructure           and information, and challenges related to policy and governance.

The reality of climate change is not just hitting Africa alone but everywhere around the globe. Unfortunately, Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change due to a range of factors that includes weak adaptive capacity, high dependence on ecosystem goods for livelihoods, and less developed agricultural production systems. The ripples effects of climate change will have critical impacts on the livelihoods, food and water security, ecosystems, as well as the prospects of sustainable development in Africa.

Most African countries depend to a great extent on the climate for their agricultural production, the effect of climate change on agriculture would result in a condition where a country can not produce enough food to meet the population demand. In order to meet the demands, most nations tend to trade to bridge the deficit. However, the importation of food does not balance the demand-supply deficit thereby leading to food insecurity sets in. To prevent such consequences, innovative and strategic climate-smart programs should be put in place. 

Climate change is also projected to reduce the value of cropland by shifting high-value agro-ecological zones to low-value agro-ecological zones. Increased rainfall intensity is projected to accelerate the rate of soil erosion in the future. Although irrigation can be used to mitigate drought, due to the rising temperatures, irrigation becomes harder as water supplies get depleted by evapouration, leaving less water available for irrigation when more is needed. Likewise, higher frequency and severity of droughts and floods reduce crop yields and quality and threaten food safety.

At higher temperatures and wetter climates, weeds pests, and microorganisms would proliferate faster and it is likely to increase with climate change. This could cause new problems for farmers' crops previously unexposed to these species.

Climate change is not a devil however the impacts it makes can be monstrous. We all can contribute to mitigating its effects on our ecosystem and food supply through agriculture.  Africa should arise as one to secure our food supply system.

Author: Oludamilola Ilupeju and Josephine O. Adebayo

Graphics: Timileyin Oladayo

©Food and Agricultural Technology Unit - Pan African Research Group

Edition 1 Volume 3 Article 2