Recognising the importance of agriculture was an important outcome of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Durban, South Africa, in December 2011. As part of International Institute for Sustainable Development's (IISD) food security and climate change initiative, this paper examines the implications of the Durban outcome and reviews party submissions on agriculture to the secretariat for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). The paper concludes by presenting critical issues that will need to be considered by negotiators in shaping a post-Durban programme of work on agriculture.