Climate change adaptation as a vehicle for SDG implementation: Experiences from small scale vegetable farming in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa has adopted a sustainable development path and this is guided by several country level strategies and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Agriculture is central to South Africa's sustainable development, with small scale agriculture having a key role. However, the generic nature of the SDGs makes their operationalization challenging, and their translation into action in a sector such as small scale agriculture is unclear. Small scale farmers face resource constraints due to climate change and are adapting by increasing water and general resource use efficiency. These adaptation actions could provide avenues for implementing some SDGs.