Water stewardship is becoming more important in strengthening climate-resilient agriculture, with local brewer South African Breweries (SAB) saying investments in catchment restoration, sustainable farming partnerships and agricultural research are helping to improve water security across its agriculture value chain.

SAB corporate affairs VP Zoleka Lisa says water is vital to agriculture, local communities and the company's brewing operations, making water stewardship a business priority and a shared responsibility.

The brewery's partnership with Moletele Corona Limes, established with the Moletele Community and Komati Fruit Group, is designed to strengthen local lime production and create long-term economic opportunities through skills development, employment and sustainable farming practices.

“By promoting responsible land and water management, the partnership supports productive farming while helping communities build commercially sustainable agricultural enterprises,” she explains.

SAB also works with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa and The Nature Conservancy to improve water security through nature-based solutions.

“Since 2015, these partnerships have helped restore more than 3.3-billion litres of water to local catchment systems by clearing invasive alien vegetation in the Western Cape, supporting healthier ecosystems, agriculture and communities,” she confirms.

Water stewardship forms part of SAB's bigger climate-smart agricultural strategy, with the company prioritising agricultural research and development (R&D), such as having helped to introduce improved barley varieties and farming practices suited to South African conditions.

 "SAB has invested more than R200-million in agricultural R&D, including Africa's largest barley research facility in Caledon," Lisa adds.

When combined with efficient irrigation, better soil and nutrient management, as well as ongoing agronomic support, these approaches help farmers improve productivity while using resources more efficiently.

The company pairs scientific research with practical on-site support to help farmers make informed decisions on crop management, soil health and production planning, leveraging digital technologies to help strengthen South African agriculture.

She notes that emerging farmers continue to face challenges, including limited access to finance, low mechanisation rates, a deficit of irrigation infrastructure and a dearth of reliable markets. Rising diesel and fertiliser costs have exacerbated these pressure.

Lisa points to SAB’s development programmes, such as the Taung Farmer Development Initiative, which provides access to production finance, mechanisation, agronomic support and guaranteed market access.

In 2025, 62 farmers cultivated more than 68 ha of barley and supplied more than 3 200 t to SAB. The programme was supported through R70-million in production loans and R16-million in mechanisation funding, delivered in partnership with the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA). SAB works with about 450 barley farmers who collectively produce 350 000 t/y of barley.

“SAB works with partners, including SACTA, FarmSol and the National Agricultural Marketing Council, to provide mechanisation, agronomic expertise, mentorship and market access,” she adds, noting that the collaboration across government and industry remains essential to improving access to technology, technical expertise and markets.

In terms of future outlook, Lisa says precision agriculture, improved crop varieties, digital decision-support tools, efficient irrigation systems and advances in agricultural research will have the greatest potential to improve productivity, sustainability and food security.

However, she concludes that these innovations and trends must be complemented by access to funding, mechanisation and new and reliable markets if farmers are to realise their full benefits.