Title: IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MITIGATION APPROACHES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Abstract: The impact of climate change is more pronounced in agricultural production, food security and environmental conservation. The world population is estimated to hit 8 billion people by 2025, with over 80% living in developing countries. These people have no access to sufficient and adequate food because they do not have the resources to buy or produce it. Increasing agricultural production to meet food demand came at a cost of eroding biodiversity in forms of plant genetic resources, livestock, insects and soil organisms. A griculture contributes to climate change through altering earth's land cover ( deforestation and desertification ) and production of greenhouse gases (CO 2 , methane and nitrious oxide). Climate change influences conditions for crop growth namely; temperature, rainfall, glacial run-off and their interactions. Conditions for crop growth determine biosphere carrying capacity (producing enough food for human population and domesticated animals). Additionally, agriculture-based livelihood systems that are already vulnerable to food insecurity face immediate risk of increased crop failure, new patterns of pests and diseases, lack of appropriate seeds and planting materials and loss of livestock. Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures need to be integrated into the overall development approaches and agenda. For instance, practices that select major crops and livestock species that adapt and thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions, conserve, sustainably use and enhance biodiversity are vital in farming systems and are of critical importance for food production, livelihood security, health and maintenance of the ecosystems. There is a need for assessment of impact of global climate change on agriculture with a view to adapting farming to maximize agricultural production to meet the ever increasing demand for food to a growing world population. This paper presents background information on the inter-relationship between climate change and food security and possible mitigation measures in developing countries. It explores opportunities for agriculture sector to adapt as well as contribute to mitigating the climate change phenomenon.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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