Climate Change And Development Consultation On Key Researchable Issues Sectoral Issues Section 2.1. Agriculture And Food Security

Document begins: CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATION ON KEY RESEARCHABLE ISSUES SECTORAL ISSUES SECTION 2.1. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY LAUREL MURRAY Saleemul Huq and Hannah Reid Climate Change Group International Institute for Environment and Development 3 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0DD, UK Tel: (+44 20) 7388 2117 Fax: (+44 20) 7388 2826 Email: saleemul.huq@iied.org hannah.reid@iied.org Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security The last 50 years has seen a rapid growth in agriculture yields with current global food supply exceeding demand. However, this growth has not been gifted to all parts of the world. Many countries are experiencing diminishing crop and rangeland productivity attributed to such factors as rising populations and changing demographics, land degradation, price shocks, HIV/AIDS, credit arrangements, and climate variability. Least developed countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are dangerously food insecure making agriculture a primary focus for development efforts. Moreover, globalisation and diminishing terms of trade are a concern where agriculture is a large GDP contributor. Climate change will have both positive and negative impacts on Figure 1: Changing Crop Yields Under Climate Change* agriculture and future food supply. Certain sectors and regions may benefit from changing climate conditions, opening up new opportunities. However, many poorer countries, especially ...