Facing Climate Change Through Sustainable Agriculture: Can Results from China Be Transferred to Africa?

Abstract

With increased demand for healthier and safer produce, China and many other countries have looked at the use of more environmentally friendly agricultural techniques. These techniques have included more sustainable practices such as intercropping systems, cover crops, water retention basins, which may help maintain production of some important staple or commercial crops (e.g. rice, tobacco and tea), while reducing the use of chemicals (pesticides or fertilizers), erosion and water usage. These strategies have been very beneficial in reducing risks but could they have many more advantages in the face of climate change? Despite the distances, both China and Africa are facing impacts from climate change. In China, predicted increased temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns may lead to reduced crop yields and in some cases, changes in quality of produce. In Africa, precipitation is predicted to be the main concern with rainfall being more unpredictable and less common. In both cases, agricultural systems have started to adapt to these changes but at drastically different paces. In this chapter, we focus on some preliminary results and lessons learned that can be extracted from the introduction of these sustainable techniques in China as a means not only to help reduce chemicals and restore soil properties but also as better ways to adapt to climate change. The discussion leads us to examine what are the main ingredients that need to be included to ensure that such practices help adapt to new changing conditions and the lack of information that may limit their adoption. Finally, we propose possible paths to move forward in helping farmers in rural communities of Africa and China access knowledge and gradually adopt more adaptive practices to face climate and environmental changes.