Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

WWF-SA engages in efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, minimise adverse impacts of farming on the environment and to demonstrate good stewardship of natural resources.

Agriculture is an important regional driver of rural development, job creation and poverty alleviation. Farming practices must therefore not only protect the long-term productivity of the land, but also ensure profitable yields and the well-being of farmers and farm workers alike.

In the South African context, the agricultural sector is a critical stakeholder in the management of our natural resources, with 80% of the land surface owned by agriculture (including small-scale farmers, emerging farmers and commercial farmers). Nearly two thirds (63%) of all our freshwater resources are currently being used by irrigated agriculture.

Our work in the agriculture sector focuses on innovative ways to reconnect our food systems and ecosystems. WWF-SA works with various industries, government and the retail sector to reduce the direct on-farm environmental impact of their production practices.

We are engaging with landowners to set aside remaining natural areas of high conservation importance and working to protect and maintain healthy, functioning natural systems. This includes efforts to effectively managing our catchments, rivers, wetlands and soils and the free associated ecological services they provide – climate proofing our farms in the face of climate change.