Climate Change Adaptation In Agriculture Research Articles

Climate-Smart Agriculture as an Adaptation Measure to Climate Change in Togo: Determinants of Choices and Its Impact on Rural Households’ Food Security

Climate-smart agriculture is one of the most important actions for agricultural climate change adaptation, especially in Togo, a sub-Saharan African country with a fragile ecology and where agriculture is profoundly impacted by climate change. Using a multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR) and a multinomial endogenous treatment effect (METE) approach, we conducted empirical research to identify the factors influencing the adoption decisions of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) and their impact on household food security among smallholder farmers in Togo. The findings of this study revealed that the adoption of CSAPs by farmers is influenced by a range of factors, such as age, marital status, the household head’s gender, engagement in off-farm activities, level of education, farm size, agroecological zone, regional location, land ownership, distance between homestead and farm, access to credit, the presence of agricultural associations and cooperatives, and access to extension agents. On the one hand, the MESR analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the number of adopted CSAPs and households’ food consumption score. Similarly, greater adoption of CSAPs resulted in a significant reduction in the food insecurity experience scale. On the other hand, the METE model portrayed an increase in acceptable food consumption when households adopted up to three CSAPs. Likewise, it significantly alleviated severe food insecurity. Further results based on the propensity score matching technique showed that the adoption of a crop rotation system, utilization of improved varieties of seeds, plant protection products, inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, and irrigation improved adopters’ food consumption scores while reducing their level of food insecurity.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Global Crop Yields and Farming Practices

Climate change is recognized as one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with profound implications for global food security. This review article delves into the multifaceted impacts of climate change on crop yields and farming practices on a global scale. By synthesizing recent research findings, identifying key challenges and opportunities, and exploring adaptation strategies, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between climate change and agriculture. The effects of climate change on agriculture are diverse and far reaching. Alterations in weather patterns, including shifts in temperature, precipitation, and frequency of extreme events, pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity and food security. These changes disrupt traditional farming practices, exacerbate water stress, soil erosion, and crop loss, and threaten the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide. Additionally, changes in pest and disease dynamics have further compounded the challenges faced by agricultural systems under pressure from climate variability. These challenges, there are opportunities for innovation and adaptation in the agricultural systems. This review highlights the potential of climate-smart agricultural practices such as crop diversification, conservation agriculture, and precision farming to enhance resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change on crop yields. investments in climate-resilient crop varieties, improved water management techniques, and sustainable land management practices offer pathways for building adaptive capacities and ensuring food security in a changing climate. addressing the complex challenges of climate change adaptation in agriculture requires concerted action at multiple levels. This review emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts among policymakers, researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders in developing and implementing effective adaptation strategies. Such strategies should be context-specific, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable, considering the diverse needs and priorities of different regions and communities. This review underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to build resilient and sustainable food systems in the face of a changing climate. By synthesizing the latest research findings, identifying key challenges and opportunities, and exploring adaptation strategies, this review aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and practitioners about the imperative of addressing climate change’s impacts on agriculture. Only through collaborative and transformative action can we ensure food security for the present and future generations in a rapidly changing world.

Cultural Perspectives on Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture an Ethnoecological Study

In an era where climate change is becoming increasingly apparent, adaptation in the agricultural sector is becoming more crucial. This research adopts a literature study approach to explore the cultural perspective on climate change adaptation in agriculture through the lens of ethnoecology. Through searching and analyzing relevant literature, the main findings indicate that local culture plays a significant role in shaping farmers' adaptation practices. These practices include the utilization of traditional knowledge, cultural values, and local knowledge systems to respond to the challenges of climate change. It is found that local wisdom is not merely an additional resource but an integral aspect in strengthening the resilience of farming communities. However, challenges such as limited access to resources and economic uncertainty remain barriers to adaptation efforts. Therefore, the integration of local knowledge into policy planning and the development of local capacity are relevant recommendations to enhance climate change adaptation in agriculture. This research provides insights into the complexity of the relationship between culture and climate change adaptation in agriculture, highlighting the importance of strengthening the involvement of local communities in mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Climate services for agriculture: Steering towards inclusive innovation in Australian climate services design and delivery

CONTEXTClimate services are integral to climate change adaptation in agriculture. Inclusive innovation prioritises inclusion of marginalised actors, grassroots knowledge and accessibility of use. Yet many innovation processes are multi-stakeholder, complex and may not prioritise inclusion from the outset. In these circumstances, researchers and designers may seek to influence existing projects towards greater inclusivity. OBJECTIVESThis paper explores efforts to increase the inclusivity of existing innovation processes, focusing on the design of My Climate View, an online Australian climate services platform for agriculture. Findings relate to contemporary issues in inclusive innovation literature, including: (1) Who should be included in innovation processes (within given resourcing)?; (2) How requirements for inclusion or exclusion can emerge through the design and use of a technology; and (3) The influence of program level structures upon inclusivity and design. METHODSOur approach is informed by Responsible Innovation and Inclusive Innovation theory and enacted through user-centred design. Findings are synthesised from analysis of 60 semi-structured interviews with farmers, advisors and extension officers. We additionally draw on observations as researchers in the multi-actor My Climate View development team, where extensive engagement separate to research activities has included agricultural and Indigenous stakeholders. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONEngaging with a broad sample of potential target users enabled diverse and sometimes unexpected use cases. Customisation of interface parameters allowed the incorporation of tacit knowledge and positively affected the inclusivity of My Climate View, extending the value of the platform to growers of niche commodities outside of the original scope. Inclusivity in innovation can be impacted by diverse factors, including design team decisions, structural factors, budget and external factors. Requirements for inclusion and exclusion can emerge and evolve throughout a design process, supporting Responsible Innovation's framing of inclusivity alongside principles of reflexivity and responsiveness. SIGNIFICANCEThe findings enrich the evidence base for climate services and broader agricultural technology development processes by providing insights for those seeking greater impact by practicing inclusivity in innovation. We provide four implications for increasing inclusivity in the design of climate services: (1) Maximising customisation and avoiding prescriptive interpretation enables greater flexibility of use; (2) Sampling broadly within target users to uncover unanticipated values and opportunities for inclusion and exclusion; (3) It is important to embed efforts towards inclusion alongside processes of reflexivity; and (4) Responsible and inclusive approaches to climate services design are valuable even if brought in once development has commenced.

Ethnoecology and Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture

Ethnoecology, the study of how different cultures perceive and interact with their environments, plays a critical role in understanding climate change adaptation in agriculture. This article explores the relationship between ethnoecology and climate change adaptation strategies employed in agricultural practices. Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study conducts an extensive review of literature and library research to examine the intersection of ethnoecology and climate change adaptation in agricultural contexts. Through the synthesis of existing literature, the article identifies various indigenous knowledge systems, traditional agricultural practices, and local adaptations that communities have developed over generations to cope with changing climatic conditions. Additionally, the study analyzes the effectiveness and limitations of ethnoecological approaches in enhancing agricultural resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the article discusses the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific research and modern technologies to develop holistic and context-specific adaptation strategies. The findings underscore the significance of ethnoecology as a valuable source of knowledge for informing climate change adaptation policies and practices in agriculture. By recognizing and incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into adaptation initiatives, stakeholders can enhance the resilience of agricultural systems and promote sustainable livelihoods for communities vulnerable to climate change. This study contributes to advancing understanding of the role of ethnoecology in climate change adaptation and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex environmental challenges.

Technological Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture

This report is a product of a series of three workshops organized during February 2021 and April 2022 to discuss on the various issues about sustainable agriculture in India. A particular focus was to take stock of the technological solutions available for climate change adaptation in agriculture and their socio-economic viability. While sixteen speakers presented their studies, 500 scholars participated in these workshops. There was a consensus that there is a need for combining modern technology-based instruments such as Internet of things (IoT) with the traditional sustainable agricultural practices for a gradual shift towards sustainable agriculture that can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and enhance food productivity and security.

Addressing the impacts of climate change on agricultural adaptation strategies: a case study in Nepal

PurposeAs climate change increasingly affects rural food production, there is an urgent need to adopt agricultural adaptation strategies. Because the agricultural sector in Nepal is one of the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the adaptation strategies of household farmers in rural areas are crucial. This study aims to address the impacts of agricultural climate change adaptation strategies in Nepal. The research empirically analyzed climate hazards, adaptation strategies and local adaptation plans in Mangalsen Municipality, Achham District, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a purposive sampling of household lists, categorized as resource-rich, resource-poor and intermediate households. The analysis used primary data from 110 household surveys conducted among six focus groups and 30 informants were selected for interviews through purposive random sampling.FindingsClimate change significantly impacts rainfall patterns and temperature, decreasing agriculture productivity and increasing household vulnerability. To overcome these negative impacts, it is crucial to implement measures such as efficient management of farms and livestock. A comprehensive analysis of Nepalese farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change has been conducted, revealing important insights into their coping mechanisms. By examining the correlation between farmers' strategies and the role of the local government, practical policies can be developed for farmers at the local level.Originality/valueThis study represents a significant breakthrough in the authors' understanding of this issue within the context of Nepal. It has been conclusively demonstrated that securing land tenure or land security and adopting appropriate agricultural methods, such as agroforestry, can be instrumental in enabling Nepalese households to cope with the effects of climate change effectively.

Assessing the Influence of Climate Change on Agricultural Yields and Crafting Farmer-Centric Adaptation Strategies: A Policy-oriented Agricultural Analysis

This journal article critically examines the influence of climate change on agricultural yields and proposes farmer-centric adaptation strategies through a policy-oriented agricultural analysis. The research employs a comprehensive approach, integrating climate science, agricultural economics, and policy studies to assess the multifaceted impacts of climate change on global agricultural productivity.
 The study analyzes empirical data on changing climate patterns, extreme weather events, and temperature variations, emphasizing their significant consequences for agricultural yields. By utilizing statistical models and econometric techniques, the research quantifies the extent of yield variations across diverse crops, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by farmers.
 In response to these challenges, the research proposes adaptation strategies centered on the needs and capacities of farmers. These strategies encompass the development and dissemination of climate-resilient crop varieties, the enhancement of irrigation infrastructure, and the implementation of precision agriculture techniques. Moreover, the study investigates the role of agricultural policies in promoting adaptive practices and explores potential policy frameworks to incentivize climate-smart agriculture.
 The findings highlight the importance of tailoring adaptation strategies to local contexts and engaging farmers in the decision-making process. The research underscores the need for policies that empower farmers, providing them with the knowledge, resources, and incentives to adapt to changing climatic conditions effectively.
 In conclusion, this article contributes to the discourse on climate change adaptation in agriculture by offering a policy-oriented perspective. It advocates for a holistic approach that integrates scientific insights, economic considerations, and farmer participation, aiming to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change.

Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture & Vice Versa: A Review

The article tackles the intricate relationship between agriculture and climate change, shedding light on the sector's vulnerability to the issue and its significant contribution to it. It not only underlines the simultaneity of the problem of climate change adaptation in agriculture but also highlight the need of greenhouse gas reductions. Climate change disrupts agricultural practices through extreme weather events like droughts, flood and unpredictable rainfall patterns. Climate changes threaten agricultural output and food security, economic hardship and social unrest. Climate change isolates crops production hence resulting in low yields, economic losses, and changing food prices. Cattle, rice growth, fertilizer use and residue burning are principal greenhouse gas contributors of agriculture. When carving virgin forests for agricultural purposes, the ancient carbon is released and climatic patterns are disrupted, greatly exacerbating the problem. These agricultural practices include deforestation, utilization of fossil fuel, and intensive use of water. Mitigation in climate change require sustainable agricultural practices that reduced emission and improve soil health. We need to adapt agricultural practices to be more resilient in the face of climate change while also reducing agricultures contribution to the problem. The complex interplay between climate change and agriculture requires a holistic approach that integrates mitigation and adaptation strategies at local, national and global scale. Efforts to enhance resilience, promote sustainable practices and support equitable adaptation measures are essential to safeguarding the future of agriculture in a changing climate

Co-production opportunities seized and missed in decision-support frameworks for climate-change adaptation in agriculture – How do we practice the “best practice”?

CONTEXTTo contribute to building sustainable and effective climate change adaptation solutions avoiding usability gap, it is largely recommended to engage in the process of co-production, integrating expertise and knowledge from various academic and non-academic actors. OBJECTIVEWe want to learn if and how co-production, believed to effectively link knowledge and decision-making, and thus suggested as the best practice in building decision-support frameworks, is really applied in the frameworks that are being implemented on the ground. METHODSA literature review allowed us to identify integrated decision-support frameworks for climate-change adaptation in agriculture developed and used over the period of the last 10 years and involving non-academic stakeholders. To analyse them, we chose as an assessment tool the four co-production principles proposed by Norström and colleagues: context-based, pluralistic, goal-oriented and interactive. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe useful entry points for incorporating co-production in the design of decision-support that we found in the reviewed frameworks include among the others adequate participants selection strategy, building on existing interaction spaces, developing a theory of change with the participants, and involving participants in the design of different elements of the method. The architectures of the analyzed frameworks contained more elements that responded to pluralistic and interactive principles than to context-based and goal oriented principles, we have also identified gaps in the design, such as taking into account the personal characteristics of researchers that could strengthen a framework's implementation and its impact, or attempts at bridging different levels of decision making, to cover the triad of science, policy and practice. A detailed look at the decision-frameworks that are actually being applied allows for a critical reflection whether and how we as researchers use what we preach as an effective way of responding to sustainability challenges in agriculture. Co-production principles turn out to be a useful tool for analysis and we suggest they can be used as a check-list when designing decision-support frameworks for climate-change adaptation. SIGNIFICANCEThis papers offers useful examples of how to shift the research-led processes of decision-support towards more co-production with non-academic actors, to increase chances of bridging the gaps between science, policy and practice.

Efficiency of Solar Power Generation System Application on Agricultural Automatic Drip Irrigation in Indonesia

Irrigation is one of the important components of farming producers in cultivation. Lack of irrigation water causes crop failure risk, while excess water also causes agricultural crop failure. It is necessary to regulate irrigation water to achieve technical and economic farming efficiency. This study aims to determine the efficiency of solar power generation in agricultural automatic drip irrigation. This study uses experimental research with the design of materials and research tools. Efficiency estimation uses a simple ratio by looking at the cost components of each treatment so that the value that appears becomes the final efficiency value. This study showed that automatic drip irrigation for solar power generation was more economically efficient than ordinary electricity. The use of automatic drip irrigation can save costs of Rp. 4,346,200. In addition, unlimited renewable energy support is a major advantage besides being environmentally friendly and an agricultural climate change adaptation strategy. The system’s performance on the automatic pump is running well, as seen from P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5; the pump turns on at a percentage of water ranging from 10-90% and turns off after reaching 100% water or water-saturated soil conditions. The main obstacle faced during the research was the climate problem because this research model used the solar system. This means that as long as sunlight shows its existence, the energy obtained is also perfect, but vice versa. In addition, it is still difficult for traditional farmers to carry out the operational control system, so further research is needed.

Climate change adaptation in agriculture: Learning from an international labour mobility programme in Australia and the Pacific Islands region

Climate change is expected to seriously affect agricultural livelihoods and food security in all Pacific Island countries. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation contends that, to adapt, both ‘modern’ and Indigenous agricultural practices and knowledge are needed. A challenge lies in combining agricultural knowledge systems and enabling adaptive knowledge to be shared amongst Pacific Islanders. Opportunities to integrate different types of agricultural knowledge (including ‘modern’ and Indigenous) are needed. This paper argues that international labour mobility programmes provide an avenue for knowledge exchange that can support climate change adaptation in agriculture. It presents empirical evidence from research with 33 Pacific Islanders who grow crops in their home countries and were employed in Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP). We demonstrate how SWP participation opened new possibilities for climate change adaptation in agriculture in the Pacific Islands. Adaptive knowledge stems from SWP workers’ exposure to different agricultural skills and ideas in Australia, combined with their knowledge and experience of crop production in their countries of origin. SWP participation created opportunities for workers to draw on different agricultural skills and knowledge on return to the Pacific Islands. The ability for SWP workers to then exchange adaptive knowledge with other Pacific Islanders is enabled by their social relationships, the likes of which an official agricultural extension officer might not have to the same degree. So far, such adaptive agricultural knowledge and skills exchanges are serendipitous. There is scope to explicitly build climate change knowledge exchange into agriculture-focused international labour mobility schemes.

Exploring Pathways for Promoting and Scaling Up Climate-Smart Agriculture in Myanmar

This paper explores potential pathways for promoting and scaling up the uptake of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Myanmar, using qualitative methods. Key informant interviews with stakeholders from government, research institutes, international and local development agencies, and the private sector identified technology development as an important investment and action area. A desk review of policy documents revealed that considerations on climate change adaptation in agriculture are embedded in Myanmar’s international commitments and national plans, including policies on making the agriculture sector resilient. Moreover, climate change resilience has been framed as a key component of the country’s sustainable development plans. This means the basic framework for advocating and promoting CSA is already in place. However, policies on land, water, environment, seed, and fertilizer and pesticide management are poorly enforced. In addition, the extension system has an inadequate coverage and reach of the remote communities. In the current political context of Myanmar, the process of policymaking has changed. Thus, the impetus for shaping an enabling environment for scaling up CSA will likely shift toward more active citizen engagement via local nongovernment organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and independent academic institutions. There are opportunities for policy integration to effectively scale up CSA, but much remains to be done. Donors of Myanmar have a special opportunity to support the integration of CSA into their respective country program strategies. Likewise, local and international NGOs may take this opportunity to mainstream CSA into various conventional development programs, such as livelihood development, women’s empowerment, and food security and nutrition. On the other hand, academic institutions can pursue research opportunities to support the development of CSA technologies and approaches and to generate evidence for input to capacity development, advocacy, and policymaking.

Costs and effectiveness of climate change adaptation in agriculture: a systematic review from the NENA region

ABSTRACT The need to define and implement adaptation solutions has emerged since the early 1990s when the IPCC started assessing the changes, causes, potential impacts and responses to climate change. Yet, limited information exists on the context-specific effectiveness of local adaptation of agronomic practices. The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is one of the world’s regions with the lowest per capita natural resources availability and one of the most vulnerable to climate change. For these reasons, there is an urgent need to improve the development and implementation of adaptation plans and actions to cope with climate change. This research implements the systematic review (SR) methodology to assess the scientific literature in adopting climate change adaptation practices for agriculture at the farm level in the NENA region. Results highlight a significant knowledge gap in adaptation in the region and recommend intensifying targeted research and funding to cope with urgent regional climate risks to rural and agricultural livelihoods. Key policy insights: A limited number of studies assess the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation options for the agricultural sector in the NENA region, with a majority of these published in the last ten years. Adapting crop management techniques to climate risks generates a net improvement in Near East and North Africa yields. However, adaptation responses aiming to increase agrosystems resilience show context-specific effectiveness. Water management options, which benefit crop water use efficiency to different extents, present relatively high implementation costs. Integrated management options show the potential to achieve additional multidimensional benefits. Still, well-designed long-term experiments are required to evaluate these practices in the different farming systems under present and projected climate conditions. An urgent need is to promote adaptation research for the various farming systems in the NENA region and to estimate the cost of adaptation measures to guarantee farmer incomes and food security in the face of climate change.

Warming Temperatures, Yield Risk and Crop Insurance Participation

Abstract Previous literature have shown that warming temperatures due to climate change are likely to decrease mean crop yields and increase crop yield risk. However, there is limited understanding of how crop insurance participation can potentially affect the adverse crop yield impacts of warming (or extreme heat). This study specifically examines whether crop insurance participation influences the impact of extreme heat on yield risk (i.e. yield variance, skewness and kurtosis). We utilise a parametric moment-based method and county-level panel data to evaluate how crop insurance participation affects the relationship between warming temperatures and the moments of crop yield distributions. Our results indicate that the yield risk increasing effect of warming is further magnified under high levels of crop insurance participation. This result still holds even when allowing for long-run adaptation (although the crop insurance effect tends to be weaker in this case). In general, our results indicate that not only does crop insurance participation adversely impact mean yields under climate change, it also influences the extent by which warming affects yield variability over time. This supports the notion that crop insurance can serve as a disincentive for climate change adaptation in agriculture.

Attitudes to climate change adaptation in agriculture – A case study of Öland, Sweden

Despite realization that climatic changes and extreme weather events are ravaging the agriculture sector, climate change adaptation by farmers is slow in Europe. There are few studies that have explored the capacity of farmers to adapt to a changing climate, especially in the Nordic countries. A mix-method design i.e. a combination of action research and explorative research approaches was adopted. Perceptions of farmers was elicited using a questionnaire survey, which achieved a 33% response rate (81 out of 243) and in total 51 interviews were conducted with various stakeholders. Data was analyzed using one sample- and two sample t-test and ANOVA in a commercial software GraphPad Prism. In the article, both climatic and non-climatic drivers, affecting perception of farmers to adopt climate smart agricultural practices are presented and various short- and long-term interventions made by farmers to cope with climate change impacts, along with their positive and negative outcomes are discussed. It is found that stakeholders have poor understanding of land and water resources carrying capacity, are influenced by “post exposure-let down” mindset and are skeptical to climate change. Moreover, two kinds of apparent stakeholder systems that give rise to “passive” or “active” farmers, i.e. a top-down control system, and a bottom-up facilitating support system, were identified. It is recommended for authorities to consider farmers’ expectations and education levels while designing advisory training programs, to introduce innovative, incentive driven, support policies for farmers and to consider shifting the current subsidies system to an outcome-based one.

Soil organic carbon monitoring to assess agricultural climate change adaptation practices in Navarre, Spain

Climate change adaptation strategies are needed for agriculture, one of the most vulnerable human activities. In Navarre, North of Spain, ongoing adaptive management practices were identified and promoted in the framework of a regional adaptation strategy. Most include practices aiming to increase topsoil organic carbon (SOC) in agricultural land. In this work, the effectiveness of these practices (conservation agriculture, crop rotations, additions of organic matter, irrigation, and controlled grazing management) was assessed by means of monitoring SOC in a network of 159 agricultural fields across the region. These fields were selected across bioclimatic zones, where soil vulnerabilities and land-uses were previously assessed, to represent the most widespread conditions in the region. A sampling protocol designed to compare SOC stocks in plots with equal soil conditions within each zone, and with or without adaptive practices, allowed the determination of their effect size (measured as response ratios, RR). Exogenous organic matter addition was the most effective practice for SOC storage (RR 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.25–1.37]) across the region. Controlled grazing also resulted in net SOC gains (RR CI [1.13–1.42]) in temperate and semiarid grasslands. Conservation agriculture seemed to be more effective in the driest zone (RR CI [1.30–1.53]) than in the more humid ones (RR CI [0.98–1.21]). Irrigation also displayed a net positive effect (RR CI [1.17–1.34]), modulated by irrigated crop management, whereas crop rotations had an overall negative impact vs. monoculture (RR CI [0.84–0.96]), likely by their interaction with irrigation. These results confirm the variability in SOC responses to changes in management, and SOC as an indicator for assessing regional adaptation practices, although other biophysical, agronomic, and socio-economic factors also need to be accounted for.

Public Investments to Development of Irrigation System and Main Enlightenment Issues of Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture of Azerbaijan

Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy is one of the seventh goals of the Sustainable Development Goals committed by more than 190 leaders in 2015 year. Adaptation strategy in agriculture involves different options and actions by producers and public agencies seeking to maximize public good aspects of adaptation. Public investment to irrigation system of Azerbaijan is vital for country where only 1/3 of all agricultural lands are irrigated and arable. Besides this the water resources in Azerbaijan are very limited and country annually using the 70% of all renewable natural water recourses. Annual water shortage in Azerbaijan varies between 4.5-5 billion m3. The public financial capital should be invested to irrigation system of country as a part of national adaptation program. Public investments to climate change adaptation strategies should aim at maintaining, or even increasing, food production in key exporting developed and developing regions, or in regions key to regional food security.

Microclimate Engineering for Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture: The Case of California Pistachios

Can farmers adapt to climate change by altering effective weather conditions on their fields? Existing technologies allow farmers to cool down plants by a few degrees during critical periods, reducing the damage from excess heat. With nonlinear effects of high temperatures on yields, slight cooling can bring significant gains in many crops. We call this approach “microclimate engineering” (MCE) and note that it could be useful as a climate change adaptation concept. Our case study deals with California pistachios, threatened by warming daytime temperatures in the winter. A new solution for sunlight reflection, based on products already used in other contexts and crops, could potentially help deal with this challenge. We develop a model to analyze grower choice and market outcomes with MCE for California pistachios. The expected increase in welfare for the period of 2020–2040 is assessed at 0.49–1.42 billion dollars under several scenarios. Simulation results show increases in consumer surplus and total welfare when MCE is available but decreases in aggregate grower profits. We also introduce market power to test its potential effects on the gains from MCE, finding mixed effects.

Household and Community Social Capital Links to Smallholder Food Security

Agricultural adaptation to climate change is critical for ensuring future food security. Social capital is important for climate change adaptation, but institutions and social networks at multiple scales (e.g., household, community, and institution) have been overlooked in studying agricultural climate change adaptation. We combine data from 13 sites in 11 low-income countries in East Africa, West Africa, and South Asia to explore how multiple scales of social capital relate to household food security outcomes among smallholder farmers. Using social network theory, we define three community organizational social network types (fragmented defined by lack of coordination, brokered defined as having a strong central actor, or shared defined by high coordination) and examine household social capital through group memberships. We find community and household social capital are positively related, with higher household group membership more likely in brokered and shared networks. Household group membership is associated with more than a 10% reduction in average months of food insecurity, an effect moderated by community social network type. In communities with fragmented and shared organizational networks, additional household group memberships is associated with consistent decreases in food insecurity, in some cases up to two months; whereas in brokered networks, reductions in food insecurity are only associated with membership in credit groups. These effects are confirmed by hierarchical random effects models, which control for demographic factors. This suggests that multiple scales of social capital—both within and outside the household—are correlated with household food security. This social capital may both be bridging (across groups) and bonding (within groups) with different implications for how social capital structure affects food security. Efforts to improve food security could recognize the potential for both household and community level social networks and collaboration, which further research can capture by analyzing multiple scales of social capital data.