Achieving food security and responding to the challenges of climate change are two goals that must be achieved together. That’s why agriculture, fisheries and forestry in developing countries must undergo a significant transformation
As population is on the rise food consumption patterns are destined to follow the same upward trend. Food production will need to increase by at least 70 percent to meet the demands of this growing population by 2050. Studies show that climate change is likely to reduce food productivity, its production stability and incomes in some areas that already have high levels of food insecurity.
Climate-smart agriculture promotes production systems that sustainably increase productivity, resilience (adaptation), reduces/removes GHGs (mitigation), and enhances achievement of national food security and development goals. See: www.fao.org/climatechange/climatesmart/en
The recognition for the importance of adopting climate smart practices, policy and finance in the international arena has been growing. A number of countries lead by the Netherlands organized the Hague conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change in November 2010. Technical guidance and support was provided by FAO and the World Bank. The conference lead to the development of a roadmap of actions, see:Â http://www.afcconference.com/the-first-conference/135-final-roadmap-for-action
Although there is consensus on the need for climate smart adoption there are still knowledge and gaps at the methodological, policy and financial levels. These gaps hinder the ability of actors of development (farm smallholders, policy makers and development agencies) to successfully implement climate smart actions.