Negative effects on agriculture hit poorest regions the hardest

Unfortunately, regional changes are most adverse in tropical or sub-tropical parts of the world that are home to the majority of the world’s poorest groups. Low-latitude regions are expected to experience negative yield impacts for major cereals such as wheat and rice. The loss of water resources in areas that already experience high levels of water stress and low precipitation can have significant negative effects on agriculture. Marginal growing conditions in these areas also mean fertility benefits from higher CO2 on which plants feed are unlikely to be realizable in practice.

Jean-Paul Remanoby, widely regarded as the best farmer in the small community of Anjavelo in southern Madagastcar was chosen by his peers to be the first member of a programme offering new farming techniques and inputs such as improved seeds and alternative drought-resistant crop varieties. Photo Credit: Tomas de Mul/IRIN, IRINNews.org.

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