Climate change refers to the long-term changes in mean temperature, shifting of rainfall patterns and increase in frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events. This is compounded by human activity exacerbating the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Climate variability, which grants a closer look, refers to the intra-seasonal fluctuations of weather patterns (increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and heatwaves). Climate change and variability is gravely alarming for climate sensitive economic activities such as agriculture and particularly in Africa where temperatures are expected to rise at a faster rate than the global mean.

Ensuring a sustainable local maize industry is critical for national food and nutrition security. In the wake of climate change and variability, now more than ever before, we need to develop a greater understanding of how climate change will affect the local maize industry, and strategies will be required to be put in place to improve the adaptation for the entire value chain.

The mission of the Maize Trust is to facilitate the continuous improvement of the entire maize industry in South Africa. Climate change poses a devastating threat to the sustainability of local maize industry. As such, the Maize Trust aspires to create a sustainable local maize industry to address the challenges posed by climate change and develop strategies to adapt to current and future climate risks.

Strategic objectives

[1] Improve the current understanding of the projected impacts of climate change on the local maize industry; and

[2] Increase the adaptive capacity of the maize industry.

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