Study: Climate change threatens food production

Jun 3, 2011, 8:40 GMT

Copenhagen - Climate change poses a threat to future food production in several regions of the world already suffering from 'chronic food problems,' a new study said Friday.

Shorter, drier or hotter growing seasons - due to climate change - could result in lower production and yield of staple crops like maize and beans, the study said.

By 2050, much of East and West Africa, India, and parts of Mexico and north-eastern Brazil could experience shorter growing seasons, affecting millions of people 'already living on the edge.'

The study charted potential 'hotspots' using projections on climate change, including data from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and data on regions sensitive to climate shifts or where food insecurity exists.

The findings were presented by the Copenhagen-based Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

Although CGIAR researchers are trying to develop crop varieties that can tolerate tougher growing conditions, such efforts might not be viable in some regions.

In those cases, such as parts of East and Southern Africa, farmers would likely need to replace the staple crop maize with sorghum or cassava.

Other solutions included integrating livestock and agroforestry to maintain or boost food production, the study said.