April 2013: Underscoring the challenges facing dryland countries, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has released a report titled “Strategies for Combating Climate Change in Drylands Agriculture,” which highlights proposed solutions to the agriculture problems facing dryland countries.

Noting the need to increase agriculture productivity by 10-30% over the next six years, the report calls for strong agriculture adaptation measures, including reducing vulnerability in marginal areas, improving crop varieties, investing in integrated crop-livestock systems and diversifying food production systems.

In particular, the report highlights opportunities for increased consideration of agriculture in the climate change negotiations. It describes strategies, technologies and best practices for land, water, crops and livestock, as well as climate change-specific interventions. In terms of agricultural research, CGIAR outlines opportunities for strengthening agricultural innovation systems through research, education and extension, including policy solutions.

The information from the report was generated from the discussions at the International Conference on Food Security in Dry Lands, which was held in Doha, Qatar, from 14-15 November 2012. The Doha Conference brought together dryland government ministries with researchers, policy makers, donors, and representatives from NGOs, farmer unions and agribusiness. The report also includes an annex on the Doha Declaration on Food Security that outlines priorities for financing and investment, research and development, climate change and food security.

The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change Agriculture, and Food Security, Research Program on Dryland Systems, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), supported the conference, as well as the Qatar National Food Security Programme. [Publication: Strategies for Combating Climate Change in Drylands Agriculture]