Agriculture in Colombia is one of the most important activities, if not the most. It is affected by climate change in larger proportions than other industries, but can also be the base line for mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation of climate change in agriculture can be approached from at least three perspectives: use of energy, use of water and use of space. Below it is explained how these factors are tackled in the farming of coffee, like strategies for decreasing water consumption, such as Belcosub, and how the solutions can be used in other kinds of crop.

Background

Rural livelihoods relying on agriculture are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Climate models project increasingly negative effects on maize and sorghum production in sub-Saharan Africa. We present a case study of the role of genetic resources and seed systems in adapting to climatic stress from the semi-arid agroecological zone in Tanzania.

Results

Among the most worrying aspects of climate change is its effects on the world's food supply. This article explores the urgent need to put climate change at the heart of agricultural research programmes to ensure the adaptation of major crops to a changing climate.
The author argues that, while the previous focus of crop scientists was on the improvement of yields, with successive International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports warning that increased flooding and drought will shift crop systems, “climate-proofing” of crops has become crucial. Key findings include:

This policy note summarizes research that explored the perceptions of agricultural households in rural Bangladesh about climate change and their choices of coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies.