The Threat of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food Security

Abstract

As the effects of climate change continue to be studied, its impact on agriculture cannot be ignored. Climate change has led to an increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, making the cultivation of crops humans rely on for a food sourcemore difficult. More instances of droughts and flooding events lead to plants that experience greater stress, higher susceptibility to disease and pests, and can ultimately result in reduced yields. As the demand for food increases as populations rise, maintaining food production as well as providing food security is a critical priority to maintaining the health of humans globally. With lower crop yields, demand increases, often leading to increased prices of nutritionally dense foods. The following literature review sheds light on the abiotic and biotic factors from climate change that influence farming practices and crop yields globally. The effect of droughts and floods on crop growth will be considered, along with factors such as disease, pests, erosion, and stress combination. The cascading effects of climate change on the supply chain and access to food will be reviewed, along with potential adaptation strategies such as the integration of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the use of plant breeding, and finally an examination on the incorporation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for mitigating drought stress.