Food Security Problems to Arise in South Asia and Southern Africa

When we think of climate change and the negative effects it has on the world food security is often one of the last to be acknowledged, if it ever is. People are more than willing to acknowledge a humanitarian crisis, but the environment and humanitarian issues are not always collated.

A US research team led by David Lobell from the US-based Woods Institute for Environment at Stanford University, have published an article (PDF) in the latest edition of Science focusing on this link in South Asia and Southern Africa. The concerns are that with major agriculture industries making improvements to a crops ability to deal with climate change, some food stuffs will be left, figuratively and literally, out in the cold, or as the case may be, hot.

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The research studied statistical crop models and 20 climate projections for 2030. The researchers created a list of crops that would both suffer from regional climate changes, but were also being overlooked in terms of agricultural development. Among the lowest 5^th percentile of 100 projections were the South Asia millet, groundnut and rapeseed, as well as Sahel sorghum and Southern African maize.

The equation for these results was found by multiplying the number of malnourished individuals by a crop’s percentage contribution to calorie intake. These crops have a strong reliance on rainfall, and historical evidence lends itself to this conclusion, especially in South Asia.

Naturally, when dealing with these regions, the data yield can sometimes be minimal, or inaccurate. Uncertainties such as these arose in the groups research in locations such as Central Africa where, according to Lobell, further research to develop adaptation strategies is needed.

Nevertheless the analysis shows a clear impact of climate change upon the crops in the South Asia and Southern African regions.

Others have chimed in with the publication of this study. Named a co-author of the study in Science, Marshall B. Burke believes that the need for increased and sustained attention on agricultural development in the developing world is great, but that is also “…one of the best things we can do for climate adaptation.”

Science and Development Network via ENN - African, Asian crops ‘to be hit hard by climate change

Photo Courtesy of World Resources Institute Staff via Flickr

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