Optimizing Water Conservation in South Africa’s Arid and Semi-Arid Regions Through the Cultivation of Indigenous Climate-Resilient Food Crops

Nomzamo Sharon Msweli (), Isaac Azikiwe Agholor, Mishal Trevor Morepje, Moses Zakhele Sithole, Tapelo Blessing Nkambule, Variety Nkateko Thabane, Lethu Inneth Mgwenya and Nombuso Precious Nkosi
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Nomzamo Sharon Msweli: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
Isaac Azikiwe Agholor: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
Mishal Trevor Morepje: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
Moses Zakhele Sithole: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
Tapelo Blessing Nkambule: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
Variety Nkateko Thabane: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
Lethu Inneth Mgwenya: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
Nombuso Precious Nkosi: School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: The semi-arid and dry regions of South Africa experience shortages of water resources, which poses major challenges to livelihoods exacerbated by climate change. Despite the importance of indigenous food crops in optimizing water conservation, limited research has been conducted on effective strategies for promoting indigenous crops. This paper explores the potential of indigenous crops in optimizing water conservation in South Africa. This review paper adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist to ensure transparency, rigor, and reproducibility. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across several databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. This review found that indigenous crops, such as sorghum and cowpeas, have innate traits that enable them to flourish in environments where water resources are limited. According to the findings of this study, these indigenous crops are resilient to drought and optimize water use efficiency. This review recommends the creation of a national database for indigenous climate-resilient food crops, which can act as an information hub for research and development. In maximizing the water use efficiency of indigenous crops, sustainable water management techniques remain critical. The results of this study have important implications for sustainable agriculture and water conservation in South Africa.

Keywords: water conservation; semi-arid; cultivation; indigenous crops; climate resilient; water resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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