Benefits of organic agriculture as a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy in developing countries

Abstract

Organic agriculture as an adaptation strategy to climate change and variability is a concrete and promising option for adaptation in rural communities. Organic agriculture has additional potential as a mitigation strategy. This text is a short review article on this topic. Adaptation and mitigation based on organic agriculture can build on well-established practice, as organic agriculture is a sustainable livelihood strategy with decades of experience in several climate zones and under a wide range of specific local conditions. The financial requirements of organic agriculture as an adaptation or mitigation strategy are low. Further research is needed on yields in organic agriculture and its mitigation and sequestration potential. Other key critical points are information provision and institutional structures such as market access.