ABSTRACT
Per capita, available arable land in Southern Africa has been roughly halved over the last four decades of the 20th century and continues to decline. The agro-ecology of the region is determined by the rainfall gradient with semi-arid and desert-like conditions in the southwest and humid tropical conditions in the north and east, respectively. The dominant maize-mixed system of southern Africa has the potential to ensure food security with ample options for diversification. Yet, to date, this area suffers from more poverty than any other farming system in the region. Moreover, land degradation is seriously affecting the ecosystem functioning due to land conversion, nutrient mining and overgrazing. Soils in most countries are generally poor with low organic matter content and have low water retention, and fertilizer use is low. Managing land degradation remains a considerable challenge to achieving sustainability in farming. Southern Africa with more than 15% of the land area receives less than 7% of the continental annually renewable water resources. This precarious water situation is likely to deteriorate due to the change of climate, land degradation and the increasing water demand due to a growing population. Irrigation in Southern Africa remains well below the 20% average for developing countries. Increasing the share of irrigated crops would require the rehabilitation of many dilapidated irrigation schemes, the construction of additional dams, transfer facilities and infield infrastructure. Water rather than land is the limiting factor and more so as the available water resources dwindle because of climate change. Irrigation expansion will help but not solve the food security issues of Southern Africa. Policies and investments should aim for optimal use and preservation of the natural resource endowment of Southern Africa.
