‘Farming on the edge’ in arid western South Africa: climate change and agriculture in marginal environments

Abstract

ABSTRACTAgriculture in southern Africa is predicted to be particularly severely affected by climate change, and hence is considered a priority area for creating an enabling environment for adaptation. The study presented here, based in the arid Suid Bokkeveld region of South Africa, aims to increase the resilience of small-scale tea farmers in responding to climate change, using as a starting point existing local adaptive capacity, while recognising the utility of external knowledge such as climate projections. Using participatory research methods as well as biophysical monitoring of rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis), results presented in this article show current and projected impacts of climate variability and climate change, as well as current adaptive strategies and gaps, or constraints, in farmers' ability to adapt.