Climate-smart agriculture attracted R3.45bn of funding from Standard Bank Group last year, supporting agricultural investments aimed at improving resilience to climate risks, increasing productivity and strengthening food security.
The agriculture sector is facing increasing pressures from climate instability, including irregular weather patterns, water scarcity and rising input costs.
According to Standard Bank, farmers are increasingly adopting technologies and practices designed to improve efficiency while reducing climate-related risks.
Louis Van Ravesteyn, head of agriculture at Standard Bank Group, says: “Farmers are already responding to the realities of climate change, but these solutions need access to the right kind of finance to scale. What we are seeing is a shift towards more flexible, efficient farming models that combine sustainability with productivity.”
Supporting climate-smart agricultural practices
Standard Bank's funding supports a range of climate-smart interventions, including water-efficient irrigation systems, renewable energy projects and regenerative agriculture practices.
The bank says technologies such as precision agriculture, solar-powered systems and data-driven crop management are helping farmers optimize resources, improve efficiency and strengthen resilience.
The transition to climate-smart farming is also increasingly linked to better cost management and long-term profitability.
Access to finance remains important
According to Standard Bank, improving access to finance for emerging and medium-sized farmers remains a key focus area.
The bank says its approach is designed to align financing solutions with agricultural production cycles and climate-related risks, helping more producers participate in sustainable farming systems.
Climate-smart agriculture also helps reduce emissions, protect natural resources and support biodiversity, while strengthening rural economies and agricultural supply chains.
Boitumelo Sethlatswe, head of sustainability at Standard Bank, says: “Sustainable finance is ultimately about enabling real economy outcomes. By directing capital towards climate-smart agriculture, we are supporting a transition that benefits producers, communities and ecosystems alike, while helping to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, strengthening resilience across the entire value chain.
“This is a critical component of an equitable transition, ensuring that as we respond to climate risks, we also protect livelihoods and enable inclusive growth.”
As climate pressures deepen, farmers' adaptive capacity will play an increasingly important role in the sustainability of South Africa's food systems and rural economies.
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