Climate change is often discussed through rising temperatures, extreme weather and damage to the environment. However, in Mpumalanga, South Africa, women farmers are showing another side of the story: communities can learn new skills, adapt to changing conditions and create economic opportunities at the same time.

Mpumalanga has traditionally depended heavily on coal mining. Eight of South Africa’s ten largest coal reserves are located in the Nkangala District. As the country moves towards cleaner forms of energy, the region faces an important question: What will happen to the people whose jobs and communities have depended on coal?

Women are among those most likely to be affected. Many have already been excluded from the higher-paying jobs connected to mining. At the same time, women farmers must deal with drought, water shortages, extreme heat and other conditions that make food production increasingly difficult.

A programme led by UN Women South Africa and the Nkangala District Municipality is helping women prepare for this changing future. Supported by the Netherlands, the programme teaches practical farming methods that protect crops, conserve resources and open new paths towards earning an income.

What Is Climate-Smart Farming?

Climate-smart farming means producing food in ways that can better withstand changing weather conditions. It does not always require large machines or expensive technology. Sometimes the most effective solutions begin with a better understanding of the land.

The women participating in the programme are learning about soil health, water management, pest control, composting and preparing land for planting. They are also being taught food preservation, livestock management, market research and business planning.

These skills are connected. Growing a healthy crop is important, but farmers must also know how to preserve their produce, calculate their costs, identify potential customers and build a dependable business.

By October 2025, the programme had trained and coached 152 women farmers across four municipalities in Mpumalanga. Its target for the current phase is 200 women.

One Farmer’s Experience

One of the participating farmers is Nomsa Sibanyoni, founder of Lungile’s Projects.

Before receiving the training, Nomsa struggled with water shortages, excessive heat and pests that damaged her crops. She has since learned to collect and conserve water, use protective nets, rotate crops and create natural compost from grass, leaves and kitchen scraps.

Crop rotation means changing what is planted in a particular area instead of repeatedly growing the same crop there. This can improve the soil and make it more difficult for certain pests to take over.

Nomsa now grows beetroot, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce, peppers and green beans. Her crops are planted on small plots at two local crèches. She donates some of the produce, teaches children about gardening and is preparing to sell more of what she grows.

Her story illustrates an important point: development does not always begin with a giant company or a massive amount of money. It can begin when useful knowledge reaches someone who is ready to apply it.

More Than a Farming Programme

This initiative is about agriculture, but it is also connected to economic change.

As South Africa reduces its dependence on coal, communities will need other sources of work and income. Climate-smart agriculture could become one of those sources, particularly when farmers move beyond growing food only for household use and begin supplying markets, schools, shops and other institutions.

The programme does not yet prove that every woman involved will build a profitable business. Long-term information about income, production and market access will still be needed. Nevertheless, it is already providing women with practical tools that can help them respond to environmental and economic changes.

It also challenges the idea that communities affected by climate change should be viewed only as victims. With training, resources and access to markets, the people facing the problem can also become part of the solution.

Why This Matters Beyond South Africa

Many countries are facing similar difficulties. Weather patterns are changing, food prices are increasing and traditional industries are no longer providing the same security they once did.

The methods being taught in Mpumalanga – water conservation, crop rotation, composting, food preservation and business planning – can be adapted to different environments. The exact approach will depend on each country’s climate, soil, available land and access to financing.

For Caribbean countries, this story is especially relevant. Our islands also face drought, intense heat, expensive food imports and limited agricultural land. Strengthening local farmers could improve food security while creating new business opportunities.

The larger lesson is simple: climate action does not have to exist separately from economic development. When it is approached wisely, protecting the environment can also help people produce food, develop skills and create income.

The women farmers of Mpumalanga are not waiting for every condition to become perfect. They are learning how to work with the resources available to them, adjust to changing conditions and build something stronger from the ground beneath their feet.