Current climate variability, as well as expected future climate changes, represents significant climate hazards for countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, with the agriculture sector being among the hardest hit. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC), agriculture accounts for between 4% and 27% of gross domestic product across member states and 13% of overall export earnings.

 

Over 70% of the region’s population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods, the majority of whom are smallholder farmers who rely on subsistence production. Supporting adaptation through climate-smart agriculture is therefore key to building climate resilience and supporting the implementation of the SDGs.

​

SMEs are the main interface in the provision of goods and services to smallholder farmers across southern Africa, and the backbone of economic development. Yet, they currently receive limited business support and are struggling to access financing required to scale their operations.

​

Camco has been working on a new programme that seeks to address climate vulnerability and risk in Southern Africa by building resilience through cost-effective deployment of products and services via SMEs within the agricultural value chain. We look forward to sharing our vision and partnering with others working in the sector at COP27.