In Central America, over half of the farmland has more than 30% tree cover. Here, in the highlands of Nicaragua, coffee is grown under a canopy of shade. Photo: ICRAF

CGIAR's message to parties and observers with new knowledge on agriculture

Scientists have come together under the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change and Food Security (CCAFS) to provide knowledge on agriculture to parties and observers preparing submissions for the climate negotiations scheduled for May 2016 in Bonn, Germany.

The working papers titled Adaptation Measures in Agricultural Systems: Messages to SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops and Agricultural practices and technologies to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner: Messages for SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops relate to two topics for consideration in 2016 by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA).

Adaptation measures in agroforestry systems. CCAFS Working Paper No. 145

The first paper addresses the topic “Identification of adaptation measures, taking into account the diversity of the agricultural systems, indigenous knowledge systems and the differences in scale as well as possible co-benefits including socioeconomic, environmental and gender aspects.”

Adaptation Measures in Agricultural Systems: Messages to SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops examines adaptation measures in agricultural systems from research within CGIAR. It provides key considerations for implementing climate change adaptation measures within diverse agricultural systems in low-income and middle-income countries. The scientists also investigate the role of indigenous knowledge systems in implementation, as well as achieving scale in various contexts. Opportunities to achieve co-benefits, provision of finance and capacity building have also been considered.

Adaptation practices and technologies to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner. CCAFS Working Paper no 146

The second paper addresses the topic ‘Identification and assessment of agricultural practices and technologies to enhance productivity in a sustainable manner, food security and resilience, considering the differences in agro-ecological zones and farming systems, such as different grassland and cropland practices and systems.’

Agricultural practices and technologies to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner: Messages for SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops presents a range of agricultural practices and technologies to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner. These practices and technologies are implemented at field, farm and landscape scales. Their adoption and performance are conditioned by the social, economic and cultural context, making interventions at various, technological, organizational, institutional and political levels important in determining outcomes.

In both papers, scientists identify and assess on-farm and beyond-farm interventions around both adaptation measures and agricultural practices and technologies to enhance food security. The scientists used case studies to illustrate how adaptation measures and agricultural practices and technologies have been applied in various contexts.

Although there is a range of entry points to initiate adaptation action in the agricultural sector, context specific needs will determine the choice and configurations of adaptation measures. Agricultural practices and technologies also need to take into account the differences in agro-ecological zones and farming systems, since projected climate change impacts on these systems will vary. Considering the diversity within agricultural systems, there is no silver bullet that can be applied in all contexts. Various planning tools and approaches are available to support planning and implementation of adaptation measures, as well as agricultural practices and technologies to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner.

Among team were scientists from the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) who co-authored chapters on national planning, as well as finance, economic incentives and value chain interventions as adaptation measures in agricultural systems. Also co-authored was a chapter on forestry and agroforestry as agricultural practices and technologies that contribute to enhancing food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner.

Also see:

Working papers

• Dinesh D (ed). 2016. Adaptation Measures in Agricultural Systems: Messages to SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops. CCAFS Working Paper no. 145. Copenhagen, Denmark: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). Available online at: ccafs.cgiar.org

Available online at: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/71049

• Dinesh D, (Ed). 2016. Agricultural practices and technologies to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner: Messages for SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops. CCAFS Working Paper no. 146. Copenhagen, Denmark: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS)

Available online at: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/71050

Related information notes

• Vermeulen SJ, Dinesh D. 2016. Measures for climate change adaptation in agriculture. Messages to the SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops. CCAFS Info Note. Copenhagen, Denmark: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).

Available online at: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/71052

• Dinesh D, Vermeulen SJ. 2016. Climate change adaptation in agriculture: practices and technologies. Messages to the SBSTA 44 agriculture workshops. CCAFS Info Note. Copenhagen, Denmark: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).

Available online at: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/71051

CCAFS blog: New papers detail latest knowledge on agriculture for upcoming climate change negotiations