14.1 Agriculture and food security

Climate change is reshaping agriculture worldwide. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events are threatening crop yields and food security. These changes are hitting developing countries, arid regions, and coastal areas particularly hard, putting millions at risk of hunger and malnutrition.

Farmers are adapting with new strategies like crop diversification, improved water management, and climate-smart practices. But the socioeconomic impacts are far-reaching. Food price volatility, economic losses, migration, and political instability are just some of the challenges we face as climate change disrupts our food systems.

Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Food Security

Climate change effects on agriculture

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• Temperature changes
  • Increased heat stress reduces crop yields and livestock productivity (corn, wheat)
  • Altered growing seasons affect planting and harvesting times disrupting traditional farming practices
• Precipitation patterns
  • Droughts lead to reduced water availability for irrigation and livestock limiting agricultural productivity (California, Australia)
  • Excessive rainfall and flooding damage crops and disrupt farming operations causing significant economic losses
• Extreme weather events
  • Heatwaves, storms, and floods cause direct damage to crops and livestock resulting in reduced yields and quality (hurricanes, tornadoes)
  • Infrastructure damage disrupts food transportation and distribution leading to spoilage and waste
• Pests and diseases
  • Changing climate conditions favor the spread of agricultural pests and diseases (locusts, fungi)
  • Reduced effectiveness of traditional pest and disease control methods increasing costs and environmental impacts
• Reduced food quality and nutrition
  • Elevated CO2 levels decrease the nutritional value of crops particularly protein and micronutrient content (rice, soybeans)
  • Altered protein, vitamin, and mineral content in agricultural products affects human health and nutrition

Vulnerable regions for food security

• Developing countries
  • Limited resources and infrastructure to adapt to changing climate conditions exacerbating existing vulnerabilities (sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia)
  • High dependence on agriculture for livelihoods and food security magnifying impacts of crop failures and livestock losses
• Arid and semi-arid regions
  • Already water-scarce areas face increased drought risk threatening agricultural viability (Middle East, North Africa)
  • Limited options for crop diversification and irrigation constrain adaptation strategies
• Coastal areas
  • Rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion affect coastal farmlands reducing available arable land (Bangladesh, Vietnam)
  • Increased exposure to tropical storms and hurricanes damages infrastructure and disrupts food supply chains
• Mountainous regions
  • Rapid glacial melt alters water availability for mountain agriculture affecting planting and harvesting cycles (Andes, Himalayas)
  • Soil erosion and landslides threaten agricultural land and infrastructure stability

Adaptation strategies for agricultural resilience

• Crop diversification
  • Planting a variety of crops to reduce risk of total crop failure and improve resilience (intercropping, crop rotation)
  • Introducing climate-resilient crop varieties bred for tolerance to heat, drought, and pests (drought-resistant maize, flood-tolerant rice)
• Improved water management
  • Implementing efficient irrigation systems and water conservation techniques to optimize water use (drip irrigation, mulching)
  • Rainwater harvesting and storage for use during dry periods enhancing water security (cisterns, retention ponds)
• Agroforestry
  • Integrating trees into agricultural systems for shade, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration (alley cropping, silvopasture)
  • Providing alternative income sources and reducing reliance on single crops diversifying livelihoods
• Climate-smart agriculture practices
  • Precision farming using technology to optimize resource use and reduce inputs (GPS, drones)
  • Conservation tillage and cover cropping to improve soil health and moisture retention enhancing resilience to drought and erosion
• Livestock management
  • Adjusting grazing practices and feed management to cope with changing forage availability and quality (rotational grazing, supplemental feeding)
  • Improving animal health and breeding climate-resilient livestock varieties adapted to local conditions (heat-tolerant cattle, disease-resistant poultry)

Socioeconomic Implications of Climate-Driven Disruptions

Socioeconomic impacts of food disruptions

• Food price volatility
  • Reduced agricultural yields lead to increased food prices affecting affordability and access (staple grains, fresh produce)
  • Disproportionately affects low-income households and food-insecure populations exacerbating inequality and malnutrition
• Economic losses for farmers and agricultural communities
  • Reduced income due to crop failures and livestock losses threatening livelihoods and rural development (smallholder farmers, pastoralists)
  • Increased costs associated with adaptation and recovery measures straining financial resources
• Migration and displacement
  • Climate-driven agricultural disruptions force farmers to abandon their lands seeking alternative livelihoods (rural-to-urban migration, international displacement)
  • Rural-to-urban migration strains urban infrastructure and social services contributing to poverty and marginalization
• Political instability and conflict
  • Food insecurity and economic hardship contribute to social unrest and political instability (protests, riots)
  • Competition for scarce resources may trigger regional conflicts and exacerbate existing tensions (water disputes, land conflicts)
• Global trade disruptions
  • Climate-related supply chain disruptions affect international food trade and commodity prices (export bans, price spikes)
  • Potential for trade restrictions and economic nationalism in response to food shortages undermining global cooperation and solidarity