The Challenge
The developed world is seeking to wean itself off fossil fuels and limit the carbon footprint of animal agriculture to slow down global heating. But how do hundreds of millions of people in the developing world, who are least responsible for GHG emissions and have the fewest resources, deal with how the climate crisis is compromising their ability to grow food and feed their families?
The Response
To help 500 million farming households in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa adapt their growing methods to be more resilient and reduce emissions, scientists at the global research partnership, CGIAR, have three compelling and accessible solutions to help smallholder farmers. First, heat resistant beans. 400 million people rely on beans for nutrition but global heating is expected to shrink the growing area by 50% by 2050. So, scientists have identified 30 varieties of heat resistant beans that can grow in hotter temperatures and be more drought resistant. This is expected to increase yields and eliminate the need to clear more forests for cropland, a key source of GHG emissions.
Second, managing pests and disease. Hotter growing conditions will lead to an increase in pests and crop disease. Scientists have identified nature-based solutions rather than expensive chemical pesticides as a way to control the problem. The Lynx spider, dragonflies and ground beetles feed on a wide variety of crop eating insects. These helpful predator insects can be attracted by planting wild flowers and encouraging biodiversity on farms.
Third, new methods to reduce emissions. Rice production is a significant source of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. But scientists and 100,000 farmers in the Philippines are using new irrigation techniques to address the problem. With intermittent, rather than constant, irrigation, rice farmers have lowered water use by 15-30%, reduced methane emissions by 50%, and yet maintained crop yields. “For each dollar invested in projects like these, up to $17 is returned,” says CGIAR executive director Elwyn Grainger-Jones. This kind of agricultural research is a key way to help feed the world now threatened by global heating. Source: www.cgiar.org