Quick Win No. 6
Empower farmers to help address the climate crisis
The global challenge of climate change severely threatens the agriculture sector, particularly in developing countries. Over 2 billion people in these nations depend directly on agriculture for their livelihoods, which is highly vulnerable to climatic shifts. Rainfall variability, increasing temperatures, and extreme weather events are compromising food security for countless communities. Climate change poses additional risks such as reduced crop yields and increased pestilence, which affects the livelihood of millions of small-scale farmers in developing countries.
Traditional farming practices may not be well-equipped to combat these new climate-related threats, which lead to decreased food security. This is a challenge, but it presents an opportunity: by leveraging sustainable and resilient farming techniques, farmers can not only combat climate change but also enhance food production.
Countries such as Kenya and Bangladesh have started implementing agroforestry practices, integrating trees on farms to enhance productivity, biodiversity, and soil health, all while storing carbon. In India, the government promotes the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which uses less water and seeds, yet produces more rice, proving particularly valuable in drought-prone areas.
Conservation agriculture - promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - is a method where farmers are trained to minimize soil disturbance, rotate crops, and maintain soil cover. This technique not only boosts yields but also increases resilience against extreme climatic events. Moreover, think tanks such as the World Resources Institute highlight the potential of regenerative agriculture, wherein farming can act as a carbon sink.
The promotion of sustainable farming practices in developing countries can help build resilience against the impacts of climate change. By offering incentives for methods like agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and regenerative farming, governments can encourage a shift towards more resilient agricultural systems.
One way to create these incentives is through the establishment of partnerships and collaboration among governments, NGOs, and businesses. In addition, multilateral aid-for-trade policies that support research and development initiatives for climate-resilient agricultural practices, as well as technology transfer to developing countries could also play an important role. In particular, this could assist with the implementation of capacity building programs related to sustainable agriculture for farmers and other actors involved in the supply chain can also contribute to green agricultural goals. These measures would not only bolster food security but also empower farmers to be at the frontline in the fight against climate change.
The WTO has a key role to play in these efforts, by serving as a forum to share best practices, and to identify areas where additional financial and technical assistance is needed. Members should use the various WTO committees to support this important dialogue and coordinate efforts to address agricultural vulnerability and sustainability worldwide.
