SDC Supports Rural Development to Address Climate Change and Food Security

Agriculture is the economic back-borne of majority of developing countries worldwide. The sector employs over 50% of the working population and contributes about 33% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in majority of African states. However, such contribution by the agricultural sector is likely to be affected by climate change, increasing human population and urbanization which impact on available agricultural land in various ways. There is thus an urgent need for developing countries to create or adopt technologies such as; soil-less farming that will not only address climate change challenges but also enhance crop production for improved food security. This paper reviews the science, origin, dynamics and farming systems under the soil-less agriculture precisely hydroponic farming to assist in widening the scope of knowledge of the hydroponic technologies and their implementation in Africa.

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Bioenergy from agroforestry can lead to improved food security, climate change, soil quality, and rural development

Food and Energy Security ◽

10.1002/fes3.87 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 165-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Navin Sharma ◽

Babita Bohra ◽

Namita Pragya ◽

Rodrigo Ciannella ◽

Phil Dobie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Food Security ◽

Rural Development ◽

Soil Quality

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Application of Gene Editing for Climate Change in Agriculture

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems ◽

10.3389/fsufs.2021.685801 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas G. Karavolias ◽

Wilson Horner ◽

Modesta N. Abugu ◽

Sarah N. Evanega

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Food Security ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Gene Editing ◽

Agricultural Systems ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Address Climate Change ◽

Research Initiatives ◽

Near Future

Climate change imposes a severe threat to agricultural systems, food security, and human nutrition. Meanwhile, efforts in crop and livestock gene editing have been undertaken to improve performance across a range of traits. Many of the targeted phenotypes include attributes that could be beneficial for climate change adaptation. Here, we present examples of emerging gene editing applications and research initiatives that are aimed at the improvement of crops and livestock in response to climate change, and discuss technical limitations and opportunities therein. While only few applications of gene editing have been translated to agricultural production thus far, numerous studies in research settings have demonstrated the potential for potent applications to address climate change in the near future.

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Averting robo-bees: why free-flying robotic bees are a bad idea

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences ◽

10.1042/etls20190063 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. 723-729

Author(s):

Roslyn Gleadow ◽

Jim Hanan ◽

Alan Dorin

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Computer Simulation ◽

Food Security ◽

European Countries ◽

Plant Interactions ◽

Plant Insect Interactions ◽

Native Habitat ◽

Insect Pollinators ◽

Insect Interactions

Food security and the sustainability of native ecosystems depends on plant-insect interactions in countless ways. Recently reported rapid and immense declines in insect numbers due to climate change, the use of pesticides and herbicides, the introduction of agricultural monocultures, and the destruction of insect native habitat, are all potential contributors to this grave situation. Some researchers are working towards a future where natural insect pollinators might be replaced with free-flying robotic bees, an ecologically problematic proposal. We argue instead that creating environments that are friendly to bees and exploring the use of other species for pollination and bio-control, particularly in non-European countries, are more ecologically sound approaches. The computer simulation of insect-plant interactions is a far more measured application of technology that may assist in managing, or averting, ‘Insect Armageddon' from both practical and ethical viewpoints.

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Speaking of Psychology: Psychologists Address Climate Change

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e500072020-001 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kaitlin Luna ◽

Kim Mills ◽

Brian Dixon ◽

Marcel de Sousa ◽

Christine Roland Levy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Address Climate Change

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Cherneha O. B., Chepurnova A. V. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UKRAINE AND POLAND FOOD SECURITY LEVELS

TRADE AND MARKET OF UKRAINE ◽

10.33274/2079-4762-2019-46-2-9-17 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 9-17

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Rural Development ◽

Agricultural Policy ◽

Common Agricultural Policy ◽

Public Spending ◽

Development Program ◽

Rural Development Program ◽

Security Levels ◽

The Eu

Objective. The purpose of the article is to compare the levels and mechanisms of food security management in Ukraine and Poland, to identify the main factors influencing the processes of its formation and to determine the directions of increasing the level of Ukraine food security. Methods. The scientific results of the study were obtained using the following methods: theoretical generalization and comparison (for the study of meaningful aspects of the definition of «food security»), analysis and synthesis (for comparative analysis of Ukraine and Poland food security levels), abstract-logical method (for establishing the links between the level of economic development of countries and the levels of their food security and determining the directions of increasing the Ukraine level of food security). Results. On the basis of a comparative analysis of Ukraine and Poland food security levels, a significant gap in Ukraine’s provision of food security has been identified. Thus, with respect to all food security components identified by FAO, except for the «use» of sanitary and safe drinking water, Poland has reached far ahead of Ukraine. It has been found that for the period 2012–2018, the value of the Global Food Security Index for Ukraine decreased by 2.1 due to a decrease in the level of affordability and availability of food, while the Polish side increased its position on GFSI by 2.8 due to the increase in affordability and availability of food in the country. It has been found that the decisive influence on the level of food security in Poland, as well as high ranking in the ranking is carried out by the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the implementation of the Polish Rural Development Program and significant public spending on agriculture. It has been determined that the main directions for improving the level of food security of Ukraine should be: lifting the moratorium on the sale of agricultural land; financing the agri-food sector not only through public spending but also through EU programs; creation and implementation of the National Rural Development Program; full and unconditional implementation of Government programs on EU integration; adaptation to the EU Common Agricultural Policy standards.

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