Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa ― Food Security in a Changing Environment

A changing climate is likely to have a drastic impact on crop yields in Africa. The purpose of this book is to document the effects of climate change on agriculture in Africa and to discuss strategies for adaptation to hotter weather and less predictable rainfall. These strategies include promoting opportunities for farmers to adopt technologies that produce optimal results in terms of crop yield and income under local agro-ecological and socioeconomic conditions.

The focus is on sub-Saharan Africa, an area that is already affected by changing patterns of heat and rainfall. Because of the high prevalence of subsistence farming, food insecurity, and extreme poverty in this region, there is a great need for practical adaptation strategies. The book includes empirical research in Ethiopia, Kenya South Africa, Tanzania, and other Sub-Saharan counties, and the conclusion summarizes policy-relevant findings from the chapters.

It is aimed at advanced students, researchers, extension and development practitioners, and officials of government agencies, NGOs, and funding agencies. It also will provide supplementary reading for courses in environment and development and in agricultural economics.

Cyndi Spindell Berck, M.P.P., J.D., is the principal of International Academic Editorial Services, based in Orinda, California, USA, and Managing Editor of the EfD Discussion Paper series and Research Brief series.

Peter Berck is Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Policy and S.J. Hall Professor of Forestry, University of California, Berkeley, USA. He is Editor-in-Chief of the EdF Discussion Paper Series.

Salvatore Di Falco is Professor of Environmental Economics and Director of the Institute of Economics and Econometric, Geneva School of Economics and Management, University of Geneva, Switzerland.