Climate threatens farmlands

Reported By: Yoko

Climate change could cost the African continent more farmland than the United States uses to plant its eight major field crops combined, according to a study published in the June issue of Environmental Science and Policy.

Farming on up to 1 million square kilometres (247 million acres) of land in Africa could subside by 2050 as climate change makes areas too hot and dry for growing crops, the study said. The latest US Agriculture Department data puts plantings of the eight major US field crops combined at 246 million acres for the coming year. Though unsuitable for crops, the land could still sustain livestock, which are more tolerant to heat and drought, researchers from the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute and the United Kingdom's Waen Associates found.

Boosting livestock production could provide the 20 million to 35 million people living in these areas with a means to stay on their land and make an income, researchers said. Carlos Sere, the Institute's director general, noted that the addition of livestock would have to be done sustainably. But changing weather conditions and increasing demand for meat will make the addition inevitable, he said.

The study pinpointed areas in Africa where small farmers would be best served by transitioning more of their enterprise to livestock than crops. But much remains unknown about local impacts of climate change as current climate science and models today are best suited for regional studies, the researchers said. Investment to improve the accuracy of climate models could help groups determine the communities most at risk from global warming, the researchers said.

Identifying areas at risk could help governments and aid groups limit poor farmers' need to abandon agriculture by developing policy and agendas that mitigate climate change.

Labels: reports

Climate threatens farmlands

Reported By: Yoko

Climate change could cost the African continent more farmland than the United States uses to plant its eight major field crops combined, according to a study published in the June issue of Environmental Science and Policy.

Farming on up to 1 million square kilometres (247 million acres) of land in Africa could subside by 2050 as climate change makes areas too hot and dry for growing crops, the study said. The latest US Agriculture Department data puts plantings of the eight major US field crops combined at 246 million acres for the coming year. Though unsuitable for crops, the land could still sustain livestock, which are more tolerant to heat and drought, researchers from the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute and the United Kingdom's Waen Associates found.

Boosting livestock production could provide the 20 million to 35 million people living in these areas with a means to stay on their land and make an income, researchers said. Carlos Sere, the Institute's director general, noted that the addition of livestock would have to be done sustainably. But changing weather conditions and increasing demand for meat will make the addition inevitable, he said.

The study pinpointed areas in Africa where small farmers would be best served by transitioning more of their enterprise to livestock than crops. But much remains unknown about local impacts of climate change as current climate science and models today are best suited for regional studies, the researchers said. Investment to improve the accuracy of climate models could help groups determine the communities most at risk from global warming, the researchers said.

Identifying areas at risk could help governments and aid groups limit poor farmers' need to abandon agriculture by developing policy and agendas that mitigate climate change.

Labels: reports