This is how carbon policies can prevent food insecurity

The race to net-zero carbon emissions has implications for agriculture and food security. Whether the outcome will be positive or negative for society, the environment and farmers, depends largely on how government formulates emissions policies. Lindi Botha reports on why agriculture’s role should not be confused.

- Lindi Botha

“Soil that has the texture of a chocolate sponge cake. That’s what I am working towards!” says Hendrik Odendaal, cradling a handful of freshly dug soil on his maize land near Standerton in Mpumalanga. He certainly seems to have made progress; plant roots of various sizes from a diversity of cover crops drill down into the soil, creating aeration and pathways for water, and loosening up what would otherwise have been dense clay.

Earthworms and a host of other beneficial insects wriggle and crawl their way through the clumps, transporting nutrients and organic matter deeper into the soil profile.

Odendaal switched from conventional tillage to a no-till, regenerative agriculture system 16 years ago. Focusing on soil health, he has reduced herbicide and insecticide usage, and increased the carbon in his soils while still achieving industry-average yields on his maize and soya crops.

“The primary aim of converting from conventional tillage to no-till is to prevent disruption of the soil’s natural, delicate ecosystem, and moisture loss from upending the soil into the sunlight,” explains Odendaal as he squeezes a handful of soil that is still wet from rain that fell a week ago.

“The hard part is to achieve loose soil without ripping by incorporating plant roots and insects to do the work instead. It takes time, but over the years I’ve been able to increase the health and carbon in my soil by leaving crop residues to decompose, planting cover crops to protect the soil, and feeding the whole system with worm tea and compost.”