The impact of climate change on food security in SA

WEEKEND ARGUS

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AS CLIMATE change continues to wreak havoc on South Africa’s agricultural landscape, the future of food security hangs in the balance.

With predictions indicating a potential 50% decline in agricultural production by 2050, the spectre of hunger looms ever larger for the 18 million households, or roughly 21% of the population, who are currently grappling with food insecurity.

Recent studies forecast a 25% increase in maize yield variability due to shifting weather patterns, including reduced rainfall and soaring temperatures.

As the staple food source for many low-income households, maize is already feeling the pinch, with prices climbing by 30% in recent years, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity.