Farming for the Future: Ensuring Food Security During Climate Challenges
Agricultural production is inherently vulnerable as it depends on natural resources and climatic conditions and is affected by market developments. Adverse weather conditions, severe market imbalances and the spread of plant pests, crop failure can disrupt agricultural production. Urgent specific and exceptional measures are needed to prevent or mitigate significant losses to producers and disruptions in the food supply chain. If this crisis is not resolved very soon, the world food security will be at risk.
Impact of climate change on agriculture
The current climate crisis is leading to more severe weather events. Climate change is profoundly affecting agriculture worldwide. Extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods and heat waves, are becoming more frequent and severe, leading to reduced crop yields and soil erosion. Let's look at the impact of climate change on agriculture through some key statistics:
Temperature increase: For every 1°C increase in temperature, yields of major crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat decrease by 16% to 20%.
Extreme weather: From 1981 to 2020, there has been a 58% increase in hot days (above 32°C), which negatively affects crop yields.
Water Scarcity: Agriculture uses 70% of the world's freshwater, and changing rainfall patterns are making less water available for irrigation.
Addressing the effects of climate change
Many organizations are making direct financial contributions to mitigate the effects of climate change. This year the EU Commission proposes to allocate €46.5 million to Germany, €10.9 million to Bulgaria, €37.4 million to Italy, €3.3 million to Estonia, and €21.6 million to Romania.
This will contribute to the compensation of farmers in these countries who have lost part of their production. The amounts presented today are a sign of EU solidarity with affected farmers, which can be supplemented by up to 200% with national funds.
But we must remember that direct financial grants cannot ensure future food security. This may cover temporary losses but in the future we will have to face tougher climate challenges in agriculture and ensure food security as well.
To mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture, several strategies are being implemented
Regenerative Agriculture:
Combating climate change requires the widespread adoption of regenerative farming methods that enable agribusinesses, food companies and developers of carbon projects to reduce emissions, improve crop yields and meet climate targets and ensure the resilience of agriculture.
Smart Agriculture:
Practices such as cover cropping, conservation tillage and agroforestry help improve soil health and increase resilience to climate change. These practices improve soil structure, increase water retention and reduce erosion.
Moreover, cost-effective solutions through AI and satellite data for soil organic carbon (SOC) mapping and validation of land management practices such as tillage make agricultural sustainability initiatives scalable and effective.
Precision Farming:
Precision farming helps farmers apply the right amount of inputs at the right time and place, reducing waste and environmental impact. For example, specific application of fertilizers can reduce nitrogen use by up to 30% without reducing production. We also conducted a pilot with 23 farmers in Germany and did it successfully. (More details about our pilot study can be found here).
Steps taken by Government and Organizations:
Governments and organizations are taking significant steps to support farmers
USDA initiative: The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made up to $7.7 billion available for climate-smart practices on farmland. This includes funding for conservation programs and technical support for farmers.
Global efforts: The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033 projects a reduction in the greenhouse gas intensity of agriculture, highlighting the importance of reducing food loss and waste. Efforts are being made to promote sustainable farming practices and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.
Besides, companies like Nestlé, Cargill, Unilever, PepsiCo have already taken steps to promote sustainable agriculture and combat climate change.
Conclusion
Addressing the challenges posed by climate change requires concerted efforts by all stakeholders. By adopting sustainable practices, leveraging technology and supporting policy initiatives, we can build a resilient agricultural system that ensures food security for future generations.