Climate change and competition law in Limpopo Province rural agricultural activities: Higher education policy and legislative frameworks.
Climate change and competition law in Limpopo Province rural agricultural activities: Higher education policy and legislative frameworks.

Summary/Abstract: Heat waves, wildfires, super storms are all clearly reminders of where humanity is right now. The natural balance of the planet is changing, and this is just the beginning. Climate change has taken over the world and it is affecting each sector of the human existence. One of the most important and highly affected sectors is agriculture. The most crucial sector which caters for food consumption of the entire globe. Furthermore, agriculture is at the core of economic development of many countries as it determines food security. Underpinning food systems, agricultural activities constitute an indispensable pillar of sustainable development. This is especially true in South Africa, where the economic, social and environmental opportunities of sustainable agriculture is yet to be fully exploited. Over the last two decades, agriculture has been subject to drastic economic and social evolutions in the country. Considerably, climate change is progressively, but undeniably, changing the environmental, social and economic conditions affecting agriculture. There are many environmental problems that South African government cannot possibly address rapidly or effectively enough alone, the crucial role of private business initiatives in achieving climate and environmental goals reflects the broader paradigm shift that has occurred in global environmental regulation in the past 20 years should be acknowledged (Kingston, 2019). However, the effects of climate change on rural livestock farming (Agricultural activities) depends on many associated factors that can be detrimental to the economic viability and sustainability of livestock production. Therefore, agriculture can be a major contributor to the local economy, if the climatic conditions are favourable. Agriculture has been the backbone of rural economy; therefore, the local municipality should fast track arable land and irrigation schemes (Maluleke & Mokwena, 2017). The role of private market actors and competition law in combating environmental problems is highly relevant topic for the coming decades, the environmental policy and competition policy has become increasingly intertwined in the recent decades and there is a need for continuous adoption of the law to the ‘changing reality’ (Kyrklund & Bastidas, 2019). Importantly, climate Change is an existential threat, and competition law must be part of the solution and not part of the problem. How climate change and sustainability can play a part or applied in competition law should made clear. If changes are made, then competition law can cease to be “part of the problem” and become ‘part of the solution. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of climate change and competition law on agricultural activities in the selected rural areas of Limpopo Province, in reference to the higher education policy and legislative frameworks. This study applies a qualitative research design where Six (06) rural areas; 1) Xikukwani; and 2) Daniel Rababalela villages under Greater Giyani Local Municipality, 3) Tshakhuma under Makhado Local Municipality, 4) Moletjie Ga-Legodi village under Capricorn Local Municipality, 5) Medingen Village under Greater Letaba Local Municipality, and; 6) Nghezimani village under Collins Chabane Local Municipality. The results of the study will inform policy on how the competitive law can readdress the gasping void created by the effects of climate change on agricultural activities in the selected rural areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

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