Author: KBC Digital

Effective support for farmers facing the impacts of climate change requires a comprehensive scientific foundation, including laboratory and field testing as well as socio-economic analysis. BRICS countries need to exchange successful agricultural practices more actively, while solutions for farmers should be developed on the basis of scientific research. This was stated by Phokela Maponya, Professor at the BRICS Research Institute (Pretoria), in the TV BRICS programme BRICS dialogue.

Professor Maponya noted that, in South Africa, as in other BRICS countries, there is a clear distinction between different categories of agricultural producers. Well-resourced farmers actively use weather forecasting systems, insure their crops and manage water resources, enabling them to cope more effectively with climate-related risks. At the same time, small-scale family farms with limited resources rely on a range of adaptation strategies to address the impacts of climate change.

“What are they doing? They swerve sometimes from livestock to crop production, you know; some even change their planting days to make sure that they adapt. Some, you know, have this water management strategy, rainfall harvesting, you know, rooftop harvesting. These are some of the strategies that they are doing to maximise the energy in terms of climate variability,” the expert explained.

Professor Maponya stressed that supporting farmers is impossible without a solid research base. He explained that the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) operates specialised laboratories where scientists investigate crop-related challenges, pests and diseases.

“It’s a very important question because you can’t support or make any intervention to the farmers or the community without the research or scientific base. We have what you call ‘socio-economic assessments’. We encourage farmers to farm to sell, not just to farm. And most of our produce is just lost through post-harvest. We go to the communities, we talk to them, we ask them questions, and we assess them to identify gaps. It could be gaps, training gaps. Some of them are not well trained. So, you need to identify those training gaps before you intervene or before you support them,” Maponya said.

According to the expert, agricultural advisory services play a crucial role in disseminating scientific solutions by connecting research institutions with local communities. Following practical implementation, specialists assess the long-term impact, while farmers receive the necessary resources, training and market recommendations based on the data collected.

Maponya also emphasised that BRICS countries should learn from one another. He noted that some member states, particularly Brazil, have achieved significant success in ensuring food security and that this experience could benefit other BRICS countries. Researchers in South Africa are currently studying Russia’s strengths in this field, which was one of the reasons behind the establishment of the BRICS Research Institute.

Russia and the African Union intend to strengthen cooperation in the field of agriculture and expand the supply of food, fertilisers and other resources for agricultural production. These agreements were reached following high-level consultations between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, which took place on 7 July at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa. This was reported on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

Food security was one of the central topics of the talks. The parties emphasised the need to ensure a stable supply of food, fertilisers and agricultural development resources to African countries.

The meeting also reviewed the current state and prospects of the Russia–Africa partnership. Particular attention was paid to the preparation of a new joint action plan for 2027–2029, as well as to the organisation of the third Russia–Africa Summit, which will take place on 28–29 October this year in Moscow.

In the economic sphere, the participants noted the importance of developing trade, investment, industrial cooperation and the implementation of joint projects within the framework of the pan-African development strategy Agenda 2063. Interest was also reaffirmed in expanding cooperation in the fields of energy, infrastructure, transport and technological development.

Healthcare issues were also discussed. Russia and the African Union agreed to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation in the areas of epidemiological surveillance, the development of laboratory infrastructure and the training of specialists.

The parties paid particular attention to issues relating to the reform of the global governance system. Russia supported the position of African states on the need to ensure the continent’s fair representation within UN structures. The need was also highlighted to create a more equitable, transparent and development-oriented international financial architecture that would accurately reflect the priorities and realities of developing countries, in particular African states.

Following the consultations, Lavrov and Youssouf agreed to strengthen institutional dialogue, hold regular high-level political consultations and develop cooperation in key areas. The next round of consultations is scheduled for 2027.

Courtesy/TV BRICS