CLIMATE-RESILIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND AGRICULTURE OR “CLIMATE-SMART” AGRICULTURE:

AN INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES

Introduction to the information package

The future of humankind and the planet relies on human activities becoming more efficient, the food chain being no exception. This online information package was written with the idea of providing an overview of the challenges that the agriculture sector—and to a certain extent, the food production chain—faces to feed the world while becoming more efficient. It also explores ways to address these challenges.

Through simplified concepts and relevant resources and examples, we explore the impacts of global change on agriculture, the impacts of agriculture on ecosystems and possible technical and policy considerations that can help building food security under current and future challenges.

The technical and policy considerations explored are meant to contribute towards climate-resilient and environmentally sound or "climate-smart" agriculture—agriculture that increases productivity; enhances resilience to global change; stops ecosystem services deterioration; and produces economic and social benefits.

The information presented here comes from findings, experience and ideas from all over the world, as we believe there are already elements to catalyse change. We also believe this change has to come largely from local communities, for which reason, wherever possible, we provide examples at local levels. The information package contains 6 modules organized in two parts:

Part I - Agriculture, food security and ecosystems: current and future challenges

Module 1. An introduction to current and future challenges
Module 2. Climate variability and climate change
Module 3. Impacts of climate change on agro-ecosystems and food production
Module 4. Agriculture, environment and health

Part II - Addressing challenges

Module 5. C-RESAP/climate-smart agriculture: technical considerations and examples of production systems
Module 6. C-RESAP/climate-smart agriculture: supporting tools and policies

You can access the modules through an interface or individually. The modules contain 3 levels of information, links to documents and video clips. Please use the presentation mode to see all links, many images are linked to further information. We recommend to read the how to use file for more information.

Although the package was originally designed for government authorities, it can be used as a training base for other audiences who are interested in climate-resilient and environmentally sound agricultural production.

Click on the images below to access the start menu or the individual modules. Some of the files are large. If you have problems to download them, you can request a CD-ROM.

To cite the information package please use:

C. Licona Manzur and Rhodri P. Thomas (2011). Climate resilient and environmentally sound agriculture or "climate-smart" agriculture: An information package for government authorities. Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Start

This gives you access to a power point interface from which you can access all the information package content. At the end of each module you can use the arrows to continue to the next module, return to the previous one or go back to the start menu. Click on the image to access the start menu (2 MB).

Module 1

This module, intended as a brief introduction, summarises the multiple challenges that agriculture, and the ecosystems it depends on, are facing and will face in the next decades. Click on the image to access the module (3 MB).

Module 2

The objective of this module is to summarise climate change concepts. Click on the image to access the module (5 MB).

Module 3

This module summarises information on observed and potential climate change impacts on agro-ecosystems and food production according to the latest knowledge available. Click on the image to access the module (10 MB).

Module 4

This module explores the impacts of agriculture on natural resources, human health and ecosystems. We put an emphasis on the deterioration of land productivity, but also highlight how this affects ecosystem services, which also have a bearing on land productivity.Click on the image to access the module (7 MB).

Module 5

This module describes the different technical aspects that need to be considered in order to introduce C-RESAP/climate-smart practices and presents some examples of C-RESAP/climate-smart agriculture. Click on the image to access the module (15 MB).

Module 6

This module looks at areas that authorities need to consider from a policy perspective in order to promote climate-resilient and environmentally sound agriculture or smart agriculture, both at national and sub-national levels. The module builds on achievements of different areas of agricultural policies and consider that smart agriculture can only be developed when looked at from a multidisciplinary perspective. Click on the image to access the module (13 MB).