Agriculture and Food Security

Rising temperatures will inevitably affect agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry.

Developing countries, mainly located in tropical or subtropical regions, are more susceptible to the negative effects of global warming, with droughts, flooding and other extreme weather conditions leading to reduced crop yields.

In some regions, the very fight to combat climate change, is potentially counter-productive to a secure food supply; making it more economically attractive to grow crops for biofuels than for food.

In more temperate regions, rising temperatures may initially seem an advantage – promising longer growing seasons and the opportunity to introduce new types of crops. Yet there are challenges to be faced, in the form of an increase in pests and diseases.

A main technological focus to ensure food security is on soil and water conservation. Also, industry and researchers are faced with the challenges of developing innovative agricultural technologies, such as strains and seed-varieties that are hardier and more resistant to diseases, as well as establishing gene banks to safeguard biodiversity.