A CGIAR side event at COP 24 examined the changes needed to transform our food systems and protect the environmental resources on which agriculture depends. Marissa Van Epp, global communications and knowledge manager at the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), looks at how policy changes have helped drive climate-smart agriculture through irrigation.
The case for adopting climate-smart agriculture practices – which can improve productivity, build resilience and reduce emissions – has been underlined by a series of events at the United Nations climate talks in Poland this year.
The “Agriculture Advantage 2.0” series highlighted five pathways towards transforming our food system, and making it fit for purpose under a changing climate. One of these was the need for enabling policies that will encourage farmers to take up improved practices that can deliver on climate and food security goals.
One case study presented by Alan Nicol at the Policy Advantage event, was an initiative led by the International Water Management Institute, CCAFS, the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) and the Tata Trust.
