Louis Van Ravesteyn, Standard Bank Group head of agriculture, said farmers are already adapting to the realities of climate change, but wider adoption of climate-smart solutions requires access to appropriate funding.
Standard Bank Group, as part of its commitment to sustainable food systems, climate resilience and inclusive economic growth, has mobilised R3,45 billion for climate-smart agriculture in the last year.
Standard Bank said Monday that the agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to climate volatility. “Increasingly erratic weather patterns, water scarcity and rising input costs are placing pressure on farmers, requiring new approaches to managing risk and ensuring long-term viability.”
Louis Van Ravesteyn, Standard Bank Group Head of Agriculture, said that farmers are already responding to the realities of climate change, but scaling these solutions requires access to the right kind of finance. “What we are seeing is a shift towards more resilient, efficient farming models that combine sustainability with productivity."
Standard Bank added that their solutions support a range of climate-smart interventions, including water-efficient irrigation, renewable energy, and regenerative farming practices.
