Tackling agricultural productivity also helps mitigate climate change threats

Many solutions to improve agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods also have positive impacts on climate change adaptation, and they often aren’t cash intensive.

The greatest challenge for agriculture in the developing world is the “growing pressure on the resource base” — that is the increasingly degraded soils, forests and watersheds — all of which are exacerbated by climate change, said Sara Scherr, president and CEO of EcoAgriculture Partners.

Much of the work to improve those agricultural landscapes can be done by local people either at the farm or community level, supported by a variety of locally based institutions and land managers. If those local institutions and individuals receive more technical assistance, some additional financial resources and critical support in disseminating and sharing knowledge, it could make a tremendous impact, she said.

Watch the video interview to learn more about how organizations can work together to improve agricultural landscapes and development objectives in rural areas.

Planet Worth is a global conversation in partnership with Abt Associates, Chemonics, HELVETAS, Tetra Tech, the U.N. Development Program and Zurich, exploring leading solutions in the fight against climate change, while highlighting the champions of climate adaptation amid emerging global challenges. Visit the campaign site and join the conversation using #PlanetWorth.