Africa: Agricultural production could fall by 80% by 2050, says IFAD study

Climate change is having huge impacts on the world and especially on the African continent. A study by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says that in African countries agricultural production could fall by 80% by 2050 due to climate change.

The IFAD report proves that if no changes are made in agricultural practices or global policies, an increase of about 2°C in global temperature will have a devastating impact on staple food production and smallholder crops in several African countries. 

According to the IFAD report, climate change has the greatest impact on small farmers in developing countries who are the most vulnerable and least able to cope with the phenomenon.

"Falling crop productivity could lead to higher food prices, decreased food availability, and increased hunger and poverty. This could trigger increased migration, conflict and instability," the IFAD study warns.  

Last year, one in ten people worldwide lived with hunger. On the African continent, the figure rises to one in five people. 

According to the report's findings, the impact of climate change will inevitably force fundamental changes in local crop choices and agricultural practices by 2050 in these countries.  

In the field of recommendations, IFAD recommends investments at the crop-planting level, strengthening capacities and infrastructures for storage, processing and value chains, and improving access to and management of irrigation. 

Source UN News

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