Contributions of climate smart agriculture toward climate change adaptation and food security: The case of Mazandaran Province, Iran

Abstract

BackgroundClimate-smart agriculture restructures and reorients agricultural systems to improve food security in the face of climate change. Scope and approachThis study aimed to examine whether climate-smart agriculture can enhance adaptation to climate change impacts and achieve food security. To fulfill this purpose, 180 agricultural specialists from Mazandaran Province, Iran, were chosen using the proportional stratified random selection approach, and a structured questionnaire was used to gauge their perspectives. Key findings and conclusionsThe results showed that innovation, investment, and supportive institutions would be crucial in encouraging the use of climate-smart agriculture. Moreover, this study underscored the importance of improving farmers' awareness of the benefits of agricultural insurance. Enhancing insurance services specifically tailored to agricultural needs, both by the public and private sectors can significantly promote the adoption and implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices. Climate-smart agriculture may considerably increase food security by serving as a mediator between climate change adaptation and food security. It is indispensable to prepare the agricultural sectors in order to rapidly change the environmental landscape, utilize new technologies, increase the investment of public and private institutions, and provide more government support for climate-smart farming methods. The findings of this study could be employed to design suitable policies, investments, and institutional measures needed to properly monitor climate-smart agriculture and achieve food security.