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Book (series)Technical studyThe impact of climate variability and extremes on agriculture and food security - An analysis of the evidence and case studies
Background paper for The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018
2020Also available in:
No results found.Global climate studies show that not only temperatures are increasing and precipitation levels are becoming more varied, all projections indicate these trends will continue. It is therefore imperative that we understand changes in climate over agricultural areas and their impacts on agriculture production and food security. This study presents new analysis on the impact of changing climate on agriculture and food security, by examining the evidence on recent climate variability and extremes over agricultural areas and the impact of these on agriculture and food security. It shows that more countries are exposed to increasing climate variability and extremes and the frequency (the number of years exposed in a five-year period) and intensity (the number of types of climate extremes in a five-year period) of exposure over agricultural areas have increased. The findings of this study are compelling and bring urgency to the fact that climate variability and extremes are proliferating and intensifying and are contributing to a rise in global hunger. The world’s 2.5 billion small-scale farmers, herders, fishers, and forest-dependent people, who derive their food and income from renewable natural resources, are most at risk and affected. Actions to strengthen the resilience of livelihoods and food systems to climate variability and extremes urgently need to be scaled up and accelerated. -
Book (stand-alone)Technical bookWhy invest in Participatory Guarantee Systems?
Opportunities for organic agriculture and PGS for sustainable food systems
2019Also available in:
No results found.The increasing demand for more nutritious and safe food in Asia is creating both market opportunities and challenges for organic farmers. Obtaining access to this market requires certification, and many smallholder farmers lack the capacity to differentiate their organic products from the conventional products. This prevent smallholder farmers from profiting from these new markets. Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are one option to get around this problem. PGS provide an alternative to certify organic production supplying local markets. This certification is based on trust, social interaction and peer-reviews. Drawing on the findings of FAO pilot project on PGS covering Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, this publication presents the opportunities and limitations of PGS as a tool for transitioning towards sustainable local food systems. This publication aims to raise awareness of PGS among governments, local authorities, development partners, donors, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to encourage them to invest in PGS. Among the reasons for investing in PGS are that they are suitable for smallholder farmers; allow market access; bring opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs; make available fresh and locally produced food; bridge the extension gap in rural communities and contribute towards empowerment for smallholder farmers. General recommendations to guide PGS efforts by national governments and local partners include to enhance public–private collaboration; support consumer education and awareness-raising; create Participatory Guarantee System friendly policies and regulatory frameworks; monitor the impact in the field; strengthen capacities of stakeholders; make realistic and cost-effective planning for long-term sustainability.