Abstract: Climate change and global warming caused by the increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) are some of the most important challenges of recent years and future generations. With the beginning of the industrial revolution and changes in human life, the human need for energy and consumption of fossil fuels has increased the emission of GHGs. Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing agriculture and food security at the global level. An increase in temperature, change in rainfall pattern, occurrence of droughts, and frequent floods can lead to a decrease in the yield of agricultural products and finally food insecurity. Developing countries are more at risk due to weak agricultural infrastructure. As a country, Iran is located in the arid and semi-arid region of the world and is under the influence of serious climate changes. There are problems such as frequent droughts, reduction of water resources, increase in temperature, and change of precipitation pattern in Iran. These problems can lead to a decrease in the production of agricultural products, a decrease in water resources for agriculture and drinking water, and an increase in economic and social issues. To face this challenge, solutions such as cultivating crops resistant to drought and heat, improving the management of water and soil resources management, developing new agricultural technologies, and promoting sustainable agricultural patterns are necessary. Also, international cooperation and investment in agricultural infrastructure can be helpful. The training of farmers in adaptation methods is also of great importance. By applying appropriate strategies, food security can be strengthened against threats caused by climate change.
Abstract: Climate change and global warming caused by the increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) are some of the most important challenges of recent years and future generations. With the beginning of the industrial revolution and changes in human life, the human need for energy and consumption of fossil fuels has increased the emission of GHGs. Clim...Show More
Abstract: Agriculture is a backbone of Ethiopian economy, contributing a vital role to food security and employment in rural communities. Climate change and variability have been adversely influenced, challenging the country’s efforts to ensure food security. As a result, this study investigated the association between climate variability and tuber crop yields in southern Ethiopia. Modified Mann-Kendal trend test and coefficient of variation were implemented to examine trend and variability while Seaborne bivariate kernel density was used to assess how climate variability has been related with tuber crop yields. The study has also evaluated the predictive potential of multivariate regression by means of coefficient of determination and root mean square error metrics. The rainfall characteristics showed increasing trend during spring, autumn and annually at a rate of 0.32 mm, 1.67 mm and 0.25 mm, whereas significantly decreasing in summer rainy season at a rate of 0.455 mm/year. Spring and autumn rainfall revealed moderate to high variability, posing risks to rain-fed farming. Days and night time showed increasing trend at a rate of 0.053°C and 0.16°C 1981-2021 period. A reasonable tuber crop yield was harvested with cumulative rainfall ranging from 450.0 to 650.0 mm during the growing season, day and night time temperature was between 23.0-26.0°C and 11.5-14.0°C. When day time temperature above 26.0°C and night time temperature below 11.5°C, sweet potato and taro yields decrease, and harvesting is utterly unexpected. The RF regression model proved to be the best model performing algorithm allowing for optimal yield prediction, assisting farmers and decision makers in better planning crop production and management. The high variability of spring rainfall and the decreasing trend of summer rainfall, combined with an increasing of temperatures, could reduce agricultural productivity, leading to food insecurity. Therefore, the yield of tuber crops can be improved by supplementing the rain-fed farming system with irrigation and applying modern farming techniques and operations by farmers. Moreover, the finding suggests that the need to carefully select plant varieties tolerant to high ambient temperature conditions, which will be more prevalent in the context of climate change. There is a need to intensify adaptation measures to minimize the negative consequences of climate variability to improve the adaptive capacity of sweet potato and taro farmers.
Abstract: Agriculture is a backbone of Ethiopian economy, contributing a vital role to food security and employment in rural communities. Climate change and variability have been adversely influenced, challenging the country’s efforts to ensure food security. As a result, this study investigated the association between climate variability and tuber crop yiel...Show More