22 CADERNOS DE ANÁLISE E PROSPETIVA CULTIVAR N.º 31 AGOSTO 2024 – Sequeiro for small farmer field schools where varieties were tested under different agroecological conditions. Farmers then selected the best ones for adaptability and performance. A long-term partnership between FAO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) harnesses nuclear technologies to develop crops with improved traits. As a result of this joint effort, two new varieties of cowpea were introduced in 2020, enhancing yields and quality. The new cowpea varieties, a significant protein source primarily grown in Africa, mature faster, require less water, outperform local varieties in terms of yield under drought conditions, and have shown superior performance in resisting diseases and pests. Managing water scarcity with pastoral systems: Pastoral systems are exceptionally water efficient. The mobility of pastoralists allows them to use drier areas during the wet season and more humid areas during the dry season. Grazing also favors groundwater recharge. Water-efficient, heat- and drought-tolerant forage local species are critical to advancing agrosilvopastoral restoration efforts. Integrating legumes can improve fodder quantity and quality while contributing to increasing soil fertility as well as restoring pastures that can withstand harsh agro-ecological conditions and support high animal growth rates. Incorporating woody vegetation expands the availability of feed for animals and reduces the impact of drought. For example, through the Action Against Desertification programme in support of Africa’s Great Green Wall, farmers restored their agrosilvopastoral systems with over 50 local species, including trees, shrubs and grasses. Managing water scarcity with dryland forests management: Dryland forests, trees and shrubs have developed functional adaptations to thrive in conditions of high temperatures and limited water. Strategies for dryland forest management can help alleviate local water scarcity by increasing soil and groundwater recharge. These include canopy opening, pruning, species selection, agroforestry systems, and planting density. All these should also be considered in restoration efforts which is also an important strategy to increase the resilience of dryland ecosystems while also increasing their productivity. Agroforestry, silvopastoralism in particular, is an important strategy for forest restoration in dryland areas. Such systems facilitate water infiltration and lower soil temperatures. Examples of pasture-based cattle farms in Latin America show an increase of over 175 percent in forage and milk production per hectare. Around the world other examples also show increased productivity and increased tree cover. Such systems need to be carefully managed so that the benefits of trees on water infiltration are not overridden by excessive livestock grazing. Preparedness with data and information: Weather and climate projections are of particular importance to guide decision making at various spatial and temporal scales. As demonstrated by the FAO Economic and Policy Analysis of Climate Change (EPIC) programme, making weather predictions and climate projections available to farmers supports their adaptation to climate risks and contributes to the adoption of cropping systems and resilient seed varieties that are more suitable to the expected weather conditions. Timely context- and location-specific advisories can be provided to farmers based on farm and plant growth monitoring combined with weather forecasts. With effective agrometeorological advice, farmers can make informed decisions on managing water better. Mobile digital technologies are increasingly used to send agrometeorological advisories to farmers. Indeed, agrometeorological advisory services are indispensable to all decision makers, from farmers to governments, for any risk management plan. Agricultural drought monitoring such as FAO’s ASIS (Agricultural Stress Index System) allows early detection of areas with higher water stress for crops and grasslands. Such tools allow to take preventive measures such as transport of feed from other areas or early culling of livestock. The Modelling System for Agricultural Impacts of Climate Change (MOSAICC) is an integrated package of models developed by FAO to allow users to assess the impact of climate change on agriculture. The models integrated in the MOSAICC platform are categorized into five main components: climate data processing tools, crop models, hydrological model, economic model and forest model. FAO and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) have cooperated over several decades to develop and implement the Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) modelling framework and databases. AEZ assess suitable agricultural land utilization options based on plant eco-physiological characteristics, climatic and edaphic requirements of crops. The combination of a climate risk toolbox for quick risk screening, a climate hazard assessment tool CAVA for analyzing climate data (past and future) and dedicated models like Aquacrop allows to assess sector specific impacts for projects. Moving forward In order to empower all actors – especially farmers – to address rainfed agriculture challenges in a changing climate, we need an enabling environment at all levels that promote integrated land and water management in droughtprone regions and rainfed production systems. For longterm improvement and meaningful uptake, technical and management solutions must be part of holistic integrated approaches that are supported by appropriate policies and measures and underpinned by financial incentives and investments. We need to be inclusive, transparent and cross-cutting.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTgxOTE4Nw==