AMPLIFY  VOL. 37, NO. 7
 

Climate change is upon us — and is affecting global food production, forcing us to devise various adaptation strategies. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that climate change could push 122 million more people, mainly farmers, into extreme poverty by 2030 and increase cereal prices by 29% by 2050, among other adverse effects.¹ Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, and alterations in pest and disease dynamics pose formidable challenges to global agricultural systems.

Although agricultural activities significantly contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), agriculture also holds immense potential for mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects. FAO reports that a third of global soils are degraded, releasing 78 gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and costing more than 10% of GDP through lost biodiversity and ecosystem services. Around 14% of food, worth US $400 billion, is lost between harvest and when it reaches retailers. According to FAO estimates, total food losses and waste cause 8% of GHG emissions.² Thus, climate-smart agricultural practices and better-coordinated agriculture value chain activities aimed at minimizing losses can contribute to mitigating climate change. Developing new crop varieties and cultivation methods that could adapt to climate change is also essential.

This issue of Amplify explores the complex relationship between climate change and agriculture, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to ensure food security and sustainable farming practices. We take readers on a journey from the frontlines of climate change’s impact on smallholder farmers to the potential of AI and data-driven technologies to transform the entire pathway across the agri-food supply chain. The issue collectively emphasizes several key themes: the impact of climate change on agriculture, the need for sustainable and climate-resilient practices, the role of technology (especially AI), the value of traditional knowledge, and the importance of collaboration and stakeholder engagement. In particular, the authors recognize agriculture’s vulnerability to changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, extreme weather events, water scarcity, soil degradation, and pest/disease dynamics.

Without a doubt, there is a crucial need for sustainable agricultural practices that enhance resilience to climate change impacts. It has become vital to optimize resource use and reduce environmental impacts to ensure long-term food security.

As explored in this issue, AI, in particular, can help tackle climate change challenges and promote sustainable agriculture. AI technologies in precision farming, crop monitoring, automated irrigation, robotics, and market forecasting can optimize resource use, improve yields, and support data-driven decision making. 

Yet, traditional agricultural knowledge must play a major role in adapting to climate change and enhancing resilience. The authors advocate for integrating traditional practices with modern technologies to develop context-specific solutions that are both effective and culturally sensitive.

Finally, our experts emphasize the need for collaboration among diverse stakeholders — farmers, technology providers, researchers, policymakers, and consumers — to address the challenges. They advocate for collective action, knowledge sharing, and supportive policies to facilitate innovation in pursuit of food security.

In This Issue

The issue begins by grounding us in the lived experiences of farmers grappling with the increasingly unpredictable realities of a changing climate. My colleagues, Santosh Kumari and Sanju, and I shed light on the challenges faced by farmers in Haryana, India, a region heavily reliant on agriculture. Farmers are witnessing firsthand the effects of climate change — from shifting monsoon patterns and increased heat waves to water scarcity and soil degradation. The article emphasizes that these farmers are not passive victims; they are actively adapting by modifying planting schedules, experimenting with climate-resilient crops, and drawing on generations of traditional knowledge. However, we make it clear that existing adaptation strategies may not be enough to address the scale of the challenge. Some even augment the factors leading to climate change, underscoring the need for systemic solutions.

Having established the urgency of the situation, the next article focuses on technology’s role in empowering farmers to navigate these challenges. Philip Webster, Habib Hussein, Kajetan Widomski, Jonathan Jeyaratnam, Ruth Bastow, and Mark Matthews of Arthur D. Little introduce AI as a powerful tool capable of assisting farmers in making informed decisions about adopting new technologies and practices. The authors acknowledge the complexity of farming systems and the difficulty in identifying appropriate solutions amid a rapidly evolving technological landscape. They propose a use case–driven approach, using AI tools to analyze a range of factors, such as market trends, climate data, regulatory environments, and farm-specific variables, to recommend the most suitable innovations. Two case studies (strawberry farmers in the UK grappling with water regulations and oasis farmers in Morocco facing increasing aridity) demonstrate how this approach can be tailored to address local challenges and opportunities.

The potential of AI is clear, but our next article cautions against viewing technology as a silver bullet. Successfully integrating AI into agriculture requires a nuanced understanding of the social, cultural, and ecological contexts in which it is deployed. Vijaya Lakshmi and Jacqueline Corbett explore this concept, arguing that a conjoint-learning approach (one that combines the precision of AI with the rich tapestry of traditional agricultural knowledge) holds the key to unlocking truly sustainable solutions. Their article presents three case studies from India, each showcasing how farmers are blending generations-old practices with AI-powered tools to enhance decision-making, optimize resource use, and adapt to changing conditions. For example, an organic orchard in western India is combining AI-based disease detection with traditional fertilization methods, and a crop farm in the north is integrating AI weather predictions with local knowledge to more effectively manage water resources. The authors highlight the successes and the challenges of this approach, underscoring the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between farmers, technology developers, and policymakers to ensure that AI solutions are contextually relevant and culturally sensitive.

Building on these insights, Cutter Expert San Murugesan provides a comprehensive overview of how AI is transforming agriculture on a global scale. His piece delves into a wide range of AI applications, from precision agriculture and automated irrigation to crop monitoring, robotics, and market forecasting. It showcases the potential of AI to not only increase yields and optimize resource use but to reduce waste, minimize environmental impact, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods. Murugesan emphasizes the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, calling for increased investment in R&D, the creation of supportive policies, and targeted efforts to address the barriers to AI adoption, including high implementation costs, data privacy concerns, and the digital divide.

The issue concludes by broadening the lens beyond individual farms to consider the entire agri-food supply chain (ASC). Climate change poses a significant threat to global food security, as extreme weather events disrupt ASCs, affecting food production, logistics, and consumption. Kasuni Vidanagamachchi, Dilupa Nakandala, and I examine the vulnerabilities of ASCs, drawing on lessons learned from adaptations made during the pandemic. We posit that long-term viability, rather than short-term resilience, is essential for these systems to withstand prolonged crises. The article highlights the importance of diversifying food supply methods, incorporating local production, community-based sharing, and digital technologies to enhance adaptability and responsiveness to disruptions. Through a case study from Sri Lanka, we demonstrate how a combination of government support, community engagement, and digital innovation enabled effective adaptation during the pandemic. We advocate for a comprehensive, collaborative approach that integrates advanced technologies with sustainable practices to build more resilient and viable ASCs capable of ensuring food security amid the uncertainties of climate change.

This issue of Amplify highlights the need for a multifaceted approach that embraces both the power of technology and the wisdom of tradition to address the complex challenges facing agriculture in the 21st century. By fostering collaboration and innovation across the food system, we can strive to create a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable future for agriculture. In closing, the issue's overarching conclusions include:

• Climate-resilient agriculture demands a multifaceted approach. There is no single solution to the challenges facing agriculture in a changing climate. Effective response requires a combination of technological advancements, sustainable farming practices, policy interventions, and a deep understanding of local contexts.

• AI can be a powerful ally in the fight against climate change. AI has the potential to revolutionize agriculture by optimizing resource use, improving yields, and enhancing resilience. However, rather than acting as a standalone solution, AI should be seen as a tool to augment and enhance existing knowledge and practices.

• Traditional knowledge is an invaluable asset. Traditional agricultural knowledge, honed over generations of experience, holds critical insights into local ecosystems, climate adaptations, and sustainable practices. Integrating this knowledge with modern technologies is essential for developing contextually relevant and culturally sensitive solutions.

• The entire agri-food supply chain must adapt. Building a climate-resilient food system requires going beyond individual farms to consider the interconnectedness of production, processing, distribution, and consumption. This involves addressing challenges related to infrastructure, logistics, market access, consumer behavior, and waste reduction across the supply chain.

• Collaboration is essential for success. There must be collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the food system, from farmers and technologists to policymakers and consumers. Achieving food security and sustainability in a changing climate requires breaking down silos, fostering dialogue, and working together to develop and implement innovative solutions.

These themes suggest that the future of agriculture depends on a paradigm shift that embraces both technological innovation and traditional wisdom. By fostering collaboration, promoting sustainable agriculture, and leveraging the power of AI in a responsible and contextually sensitive manner, we can create a more resilient, equitable, and food-secure world.

References

¹ “FAO’s Work on Climate Change: United Nations Climate Change Conference 2019.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2019.

² FAO (see 1).