NAIROBI, Kenya – A major threat to sustainable agricultural food production and food systems has gained popularity in recent years for world economies.
A large portion of the population in many agriculturally oriented nations depends on the industry for both their personal livelihoods and the national economy.
But now, the agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its direct dependence on natural resources and seasonal weather patterns.
The productivity of main crops has suffered due to climate change and the frequent occurrence of catastrophic climatological events like floods and droughts.
Food security is threatened by changing climates and their biophysical effects, which reduce crop resilience and output.
Due to this, farmers and specialists are now compelled to consider how to implement different strategies to manage climate variability and guarantee food crop production.
For instance, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIA) has announced the Inaugural Science Week to Promote Sustainable Food Systems.
Y News understands that CGIAR is the world’s largest publicly funded research partnership working for a food, nutrition, and climate-secure future.
The landmark event will take place at the United Nations Campus in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 1 to July 5, 2024.
As climate change continues to disrupt global food, land, and water systems and harm the lives and livelihoods of farmers and consumers worldwide, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more critical.
CGIAR Science Week will bring together leading scientists, policymakers, industry experts, and advocates worldwide to address these pressing challenges.
“With science, we can reimagine a sustainable and healthy future for people and the planet,” Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR Executive Managing Director, told Y News.
In his own words, the MD went on:
“At the inaugural CGIAR Science Week, we will bring together the people, ideas, and innovations that can make this ambition a reality.”
When reached for comment, seasoned environmental expert Michael Wahowe told Y News that environmentalists are deeply concerned about climate change’s impacts on food security due to its multifaceted and interlinked challenges.
“Climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, disrupts growing seasons, and increases the prevalence of pests and diseases, all of which can significantly diminish agricultural productivity. This threatens food availability, accessibility, and stability, particularly in regions already vulnerable to food insecurity,” Wahowe explained.
Wahowe, who doubles up as a communications expert, observed that the resulting impact on crop yields and livestock productivity can lead to higher food prices, reduced nutritional quality, and increased hunger and malnutrition.
Meanwhile, with stakeholder and partner consultations on CGIAR’s proposed research programs for 2025-2030, Elouafi said the event offers a unique opportunity to shape the scientific response to the world’s most urgent challenges.
CGIAR Science Week will feature an impressive lineup of speakers with confirmed participation.
This inaugural event will also feature interactive sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations that promote global collaboration and innovation.
Wahowe further said that organizations like CGIAR are taking significant steps to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices is crucial.
“Such initiatives are critical for driving the research and policy changes needed to mitigate the effects of climate change on food security and build more resilient and sustainable food systems for the future,” Wahowe said.
He reiterated that a coordinated global effort involving governments, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities is essential to effectively combat the adverse effects of climate change on food security and ensure a stable and sustainable food supply for all.
President William Ruto issued a warning in March 2024, calling climate change the “biggest threat” to Kenya’s food security.
Speaking at an agricultural expo in Eldoret, Ruto explained the difficulties farmers face throughout East Africa because of unpredictable weather patterns, including frequent strong rains and protracted dry spells.
Ruto emphasized the catastrophic consequences of previous climate disasters, like the disastrous El Nino rains, which worsened post-harvest losses and destroyed crops.
He discussed how difficult it is for farmers to choose the best dates to produce and harvest crops due to climate change.
According to Ruto, the government is actively encouraging and helping farmers implement climate-smart agricultural practices to lessen the effects of shifting weather patterns and maintain the sustainability of food production.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) claimed that in 2023, approximately 4.1 million people in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia experienced the worst drought in 40 years.
In addition, the nation suffered terrible flooding in late 2023 and early 2024, which led to many deaths, displaced people, and significant crop damage.
