Saul Ngarava – The Conversation

Farmland along the coast of Lincolnshire, UK. Alice Baddeley/Shutterstock

September 7, 2026

Saltwater flooding could radically change which crops are worth growing

Saul Ngarava, University of Lincoln; Daniel Magnone, University of Lincoln, and Eric Ruto, University of Lincoln

The places most exposed to saltwater flooding, especially the low-lying Fenlands, are also some of the most productive farmland in the UK.

The Phumlamqashi informal settlement, south of Johannesburg in South Africa has no running water. Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

December 8, 2025

South Africa’s water, energy and food crisis: why fixing one means fixing them all

Thulani Ningi, University of Fort Hare; Alois Mugadza, The University of the West Indies, and Saul Ngarava, University of Lincoln

South Africa’s water, energy and food crises are interconnected. Coordinated funding across all three, including community-led and blended finance, is needed.

Young people near Matatiele in South Africa cleared black wattle trees and learned how to make charcoal. Courtesy Saul Ngarava

September 9, 2025

Black wattle as firewood: how South African communities are putting invasive species to work

Saul Ngarava, University of Lincoln

New research says invasive black wattle trees that are burnt as fuelwood in South Africa’s rural areas would be better turned into charcoal and useful wood products.

In the Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership, communities work with non-profit organisations and academics to restore and protect natural springs so that people have clean drinking water. Courtesy Environmental and Rural Solutions

August 22, 2024

South Africa’s scarce water needs careful management – study finds smaller, local systems offer more benefits

Saul Ngarava, Utrecht University

A small South African water catchment partnership run by volunteers is cleaning up springs, tapping into natural water supplies and creating more food, water and energy security for local communities.

Food parcels and soup being handed out in Orlando West in Soweto, South Africa. Photo by Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images via Getty Images

May 5, 2022

What’s driving hunger in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic power house

Adrino Mazenda, University of Pretoria and Saul Ngarava, University of Fort Hare

More than a third of people living in South Africa’s richest province Gauteng can’t afford to buy enough food.

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