Climate change is no longer a distant threat to agriculture in Africa; it is a reality that farmers are grappling with daily. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, increased pest and disease pressure, and shifting precipitation patterns are already making agriculture more challenging, decreasing crop yields which is putting additional pressure on an already fragile food production system. Experts warn that if the current situation persists, Africa will fulfil only 13% of its food needs by 2050, threatening about 65% of African workers who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, including vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.

Currently, hunger affects 240 million Africans daily. By 2050, the rate of malnutrition is likely to increase in Africa by 25 to 95% (25% in central Africa, 50% in east Africa, 85% in southern Africa and 95% in west Africa). This situation will be particularly dire for children, impacting their education and potentially causing a 2% to 16% loss in the gross domestic product of African countries due to stunting resulting from malnutrition, according to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Studies have shown that increasing warming trends will also make the storage of root crops and vegetables challenging for farmers especially the ones without access to refrigerators, thereby increasing the already high level of post-harvest loss. Overall, African farmers are generally more vulnerable to higher temperatures, fluctuations in rainfall, and variable yields than farmers in developed countries, who can usually more easily secure crop insurance, adjust what they plant, and irrigate their fields.

For too long, the world has neglected agriculture in Africa and failed to recognize its tremendous potential. However, as Africa faces increasingly severe climate impacts while its growing population demands ever-greater amounts of food, it is becoming evident that much of Africa’s future lies in the hands of its farmers.

Here are 8 ways African farmers can adapt to the unpredictability of climate change:

• Water Management: As water resources become scarcer and more unpredictable in Africa, farmers can adopt innovative irrigation techniques to make the most of available water. Drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and soil moisture sensors are just a few examples of technologies that can help farmers manage water resources more efficiently and help ensure crops receive adequate water during dry periods and prevent waterlogging during heavy rainfall.

• Use of Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties: Crop breeding programmes are developing climate-resilient varieties that can withstand extreme temperatures, droughts, and other climate-related stresses. These new varieties ensure better yields and reduce the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Farmers can adopt these resilient crops at increasing rates to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

• Knowledge Sharing and Adaptation Networks: Farmers should be encouraged to join local and global networks to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices for adapting to changing conditions. These networks can help farmers learn from each other and gain access to valuable resources, including climate information, financial support, and technical expertise.

• Early Warning Systems: Access to early warning systems for weather events can help farmers make informed decisions on planting, harvesting, and resource management, reducing the impact of extreme weather events.

• Conservation Agriculture: Farmers can implement practices like conservation tillage, crop rotation and cover cropping to help sequester carbon, improve soil health, and reduce water usage. Additionally, sustainable farming practices contribute to biodiversity conservation, which is vital for maintaining ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change.

• Crop Insurance: Investing in crop insurance can provide financial protection against crop losses due to extreme weather events, offering a safety net for farmers during challenging seasons.

• Agroforestry Practices: Farmers should integrate trees and shrubs into farming systems to provide shade, reduce soil erosion, improve water retention, and overall contribute to farm resilience by diversifying income sources.

• Government Policies and Support: Government policies play a significant role in helping farmers make adaptations to climate change. Many countries are implementing policies and incentives to encourage sustainable farming practices, provide financial support during extreme weather events and promote research and development of climate-resilient crops. Farmers should be encouraged to engage with policymakers to ensure that their concerns and needs in climate-related legislation are addressed.