Sustaining Growth: Balancing Economic, Social, and Environmental Concerns in Rural and Agricultural Development

Dear Colleagues,

With the agricultural stresses caused by climate change, namely excess heat, salinity and water, and increasing pests and diseases, farmers, particularly in marginal areas, are having to adapt faring practices to respond to these challenges. The development of agricultural biodiversity is the primary strategy to enables farmers to maintain and improve food security. The adoption of climate-ready agricultural practices and the cultivation of crops, trees and livestock that are adapted to new weather patterns is imperative. The cultivation of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as millets, pulses, and fruits and vegetables tolerant to marginal growing conditions is increasing, but these species must be adopted by farmers and local communities wholesale to boost food security.

The adoption of these NUS has to be adapted to new climate patterns, with agricultural practices modified to accommodate them while incorporating them in local food cultures. At the same time, account has to be taken of the environmental impacts of the new agricultural practices. Local communities and indigenous peoples hold knowledge important for the sustainable management of agricultural resources in the face of climate change. This knowledge can be utilized by other farmers to support climate change adaptation.

This Special Issue identifies the measures required to promote the cultivation of species and varieties adapted to the changing climate and the associated socio-economic requirements for raising the farmers’ awareness of the need for sustainable agricultural practices and actors in the agricultural value chains to embrace new climate-appropriate food sources.

This Special Issue will also look at agricultural innovations that have as their objectives the minimization of adverse environmental impacts. It will also look at policy and legislative initiatives to support agricultural sustainability.

Orphan crops for sustainable food security

Orphan crops play an important role in global food and nutrition security and may have the potential to contribute to sustainable food systems under climate change conditions. As the products of generations of landrace agriculture, a number of orphan crops are well adapted to marginal agricultural environments. Orphan crops also represent a valuable gene pool for future crop improvement. Their suitability for marginal low-input environments offers opportunities for minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture.

Innovative approaches in climate change adaptation

The development of climate-smart agriculture is facilitated by the expansion of mobile telephone coverage in rural areas. This makes available to famers simpler and cost-efficient information and communications technologies. These enable the monitoring of local climates to enable farmers to adapt to shifting climatic conditions.

Agricultural diversification for climate change risk management in smallholder agriculture systems

Agricultural diversification is thought to be an effective measure to reduce agricultural stresses related to climate change.  Crop and agricultural system switching under the transformative characteristics of climate change requires new practices and technologies, which may incur additional costs and carry enhanced risks. New crops may be vulnerable to new infectious diseases or have uncertain markets that require farmers and other value chain actors to overcome initial learning and investment. They can also introduce hosts of infectious diseases and have uncertain markets. We carried out a review to understand under which agroecological and socio-economic conditions agricultural diversification will be an effective climate change adaptation measure for smallholders.

Traditional agricultural knowledge

The agricultural knowledge of traditional and indigenous peoples is a valuable source of information for farmers in the context of climate change. This is because traditional and indigenous peoples tend to be relegated to the marginal areas where agricultural challenges have always been high and adaptive practices have already been developed to cope with challenging conditions.

Certification schemes and traditional crops

Geographical indications and voluntary certification programs have developed as important tools to build farmers’ capacities to manage their production systems and businesses more sustainably and facilitate lucrative access to national and international markets. Certification can benefit farmers through increased returns and long-term environmental sustainability. Certification also provides an opportunity to recoup premium prices.

Prof. Dr. Michael Blakeney
Guest Editor

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• climate change
• sustainable agriculture
• orphan crops
• geographical indications