South Africa is heading towards the 2026/27 summer under El Niño conditions. The South African Weather Service’s Seasonal Climate Watch, issued on 31 August, indicates that El Niño is occurring and is expected to continue through summer, with below-normal rainfall forecast for many areas. The Department of Agriculture has also warned that lower rainfall, combined with high temperatures, may lead to dry conditions and heat stress. This forecast is likely to put significant stress on our country’s soils and crops. Many farmers have already reported yields way below what was anticipated.
Making better use of the rain that falls
Rainfall entering agricultural land does not necessarily remain available within the soil profile. Infiltration depends partly on soil structure and porosity, while the organic content of soil also affects its relationship with water.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) identifies soil organic matter as an important component of soil structure and porosity. Organic materials can contribute to aggregate stability, while biological activity associated with organic matter can increase pore space through which water enters the soil.
This is precisely why composting is so important for safeguarding crops during periods of reduced rainfall.
What does the research say about compost?
A 2020 review published in the Journal of Environmental Management looked at 25 peer-reviewed studies and found that adding compost generally improved how water entered the soil and increased the amount available to plants. The researchers also found that results varied depending on how much compost was used and how it was incorporated into the soil.
For farmers preparing for a potentially drier summer, the research points to a fairly straightforward benefit. Compost can improve the soil conditions that allow rainfall to infiltrate and remain available to crops for longer. When rainfall is limited or less frequent, making better use of the water that reaches the soil becomes increasingly valuable.
The findings point to a relationship between compost, soil properties and water, while also showing why application needs to account for local soil conditions.
Preparing before the dry months
The Department of Agriculture has encouraged conservation agriculture practices that preserve soil moisture and reduce erosion, alongside water harvesting where appropriate. Compost can support this approach by improving infiltration and moisture retention within the soil.
Rainfall will still differ across South Africa, and local soil conditions will influence how farms experience the season. The 2026/27 outlook provides good reason to prepare soils early so that when rain does fall, more of that water can enter the soil and remain available to crops.
For more information, visit www.biobin.co.za
ENDS.