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Paradox of Sustainable Agricultural Policy Under Climate Change in South Africa: The Whys? and What-Ifs!

Author

Listed:
  • Kenny Kutu

    (Department of Business Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Sonali Das

    (Department of Business Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Rangan Gupta

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa)

Abstract

As physical climate risks continue to adversely affect agriculture production and productivity globally, policymakers have designed and implemented numerous frameworks to mitigate risks through the promotion of sustainable agriculture. In South Africa, the 2023 Draft Policy on Agriculture in Sustainable Development, while aiming to ensure options for climate change risk mitigation, in its current form falls short in addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns in the agriculture sector. This study utilises content and thematic analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of the Draft Policy in its current version through the lens of five pillars of sustainable agriculture, namely: biological productivity, economic viability, natural resource protection, risk reduction, and social acceptance. Further, with insights from agriculture policies of Finland, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, and Norway this study identifies potential inclusions to address some of the shortcomings in the Draft Policy. We find that the integration of existing local policies with relevant ESG frameworks in the `Final' version of the Sustainable Agriculture Policy is integral to ensuring effective climate risk mitigation in South Africa's agriculture sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenny Kutu & Sonali Das & Rangan Gupta, 2025. "Paradox of Sustainable Agricultural Policy Under Climate Change in South Africa: The Whys? and What-Ifs!," Working Papers 202508, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:202508
    as

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agriculture Policy; Climate Adaptation; Climate Policy; ESG; Sustainable Agriculture; South Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O2 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General

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