Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture
Flooded fields are an example of the type of difficulties farmers struggle with in the face of climate change. Photo by George Shinn / provided.
On July 18 the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture, a group affiliated with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization that strives to improve food security, nutrition and social resilience in the face of climate change, presented its first regional case study on Cornell’s Climate Smart Farming Program.
“Our case study revolves around programs we have developed for farmers in New York state and the Northeast United States, which includes training on best agricultural management practices, extension support and agricultural decision tools used in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts,” said Jonathan Lambert, program manager of the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions (CICSS).
Lambert noted that Northeast producers also can take advantage of climate change opportunities, such as a longer growing seasons and adequate water.
Agriculture in developing countries must transform to meet the challenges of global food security and impending climate change, explained Allison Chatrchyan, director of CICSS. While climate smart farming practices already exist, farmers need support to adopt them: “We need greater information sharing, training, capacity building, investment and supportive policies around the world.”
Chatrchyan added, “We hope to share Cornell’s local and regional experiences – as we have developed a strong extension team, training and dynamic online decision-support tools – with the rest of the world, as we all reconcile with climate change.”
