AGRICULTURE NEWS - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde made the call while addressing agriculture sector stakeholders at the recent NAMPO Cape in Bredasdorp, saying preparation should begin before extreme conditions arrive.

“For our agricultural sector, preparation cannot wait until summer is upon us,” Winde said.

He said farmers, producers, agricultural organisations, municipalities and government needed to take steps now to reduce risks and protect livelihoods in a sector that plays a critical role in the provincial economy.

El Niño could add to existing climate pressures

El Niño is part of a global climate cycle linked to changes in ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Although the phenomenon develops thousands of kilometres from South Africa, it can influence weather patterns around the world.

The current El Niño event is expected to strengthen over the coming months.

While its strongest effects in South Africa are generally felt in summer-rainfall regions, the Western Cape can still experience associated impacts, including higher temperatures, increased fire danger and additional pressure on already valuable water resources.

Winde said the province's experience with extreme weather in recent years had highlighted the need for proactive planning as climate-related risks increase.

Wildfire risk remains a major concern

One of the immediate concerns for the Western Cape is the potential for hotter and drier conditions to increase the risk and severity of wildfires.

More than 200 000 hectares of land were affected by wildfires during the previous fire season, according to the Premier.

Winde said preparations should extend beyond farms and involve communities and other sectors across the province.

“Whether you are in agriculture, education, healthcare, local government or any other sector, we must all be prepared,” he said.

He encouraged residents and landowners in fire-prone areas to take practical steps before conditions become more challenging.

These include clearing excess vegetation, maintaining firebreaks, managing biomass and removing invasive alien plants.

Such measures can reduce the amount of combustible material available when fires occur and improve the ability of communities and landowners to manage fire risk.

Water efficiency will be critical

For agriculture, one of the biggest concerns is the potential combination of reduced rainfall and higher temperatures.

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said the province's farmers had already demonstrated their ability to adapt during difficult climatic conditions, including the severe drought between 2014 and 2016.

However, he said the potential impacts of reduced rainfall, rising temperatures and pressure on water resources should not be underestimated.

The provincial Department of Agriculture plans to introduce a range of measures aimed at reducing the potential impact of ENSO on agricultural production, food security and the provincial economy.

These include strengthening conservation agriculture, improving water-use efficiency in irrigated farming areas and prioritising support for dryland production areas.

The department will also strengthen risk-management and preparedness systems and provide support to agricultural workers.

Preparing before conditions worsen

For farmers, early preparation can make a significant difference when weather conditions become more difficult.

Water-use planning, soil conservation, fire preparedness and appropriate production decisions can help reduce exposure to climate-related risks.

The provincial government is also calling for cooperation between farmers, agricultural organisations, municipalities and communities, recognising that extreme weather does not affect the agricultural sector in isolation.

Winde said the province's experience in recent years had reinforced the importance of acting before a crisis develops.

For the Western Cape's agricultural sector, the message is therefore clear: preparation for a potentially hotter and drier summer needs to start now, rather than once conditions have already deteriorated. - SAnews.gov.za

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