CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD PRODUCTION; A CASE STUDY OF SOYBEAN PRODUCTION IN BRAZIL
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: the study sought to explore the effects of Climate Change and Food Production. A Case Study of Soybean Production in Brazil
Statement of the Problem: The problem of climate change and food production, exemplified by the case study of soybean cultivation in Brazil, centers on the disruptive impacts of changing climatic conditions on agricultural systems. Altered temperature patterns, irregular rainfall, and shifting pest dynamics challenge traditional farming practices, leading to reduced soybean yields, compromised nutritional quality, and potential socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
Findings: Shifting climate patterns disrupt traditional agricultural timelines, creating uncertainty in planting and harvesting schedules and leading to decreased yields. Elevated temperatures cause heat stress during vital growth phases, affecting flowering, pod development, and seed quality, resulting in reduced overall production. Additionally, irregular precipitation patterns and water scarcity further exacerbate these issues, underscoring the vulnerability of soybean cultivation to changing climate conditions.
Conclusion: The evident disruptions in planting and harvesting schedules, reduced yields due to heat stress, and water scarcity issues collectively underscore the vulnerability of food production systems to changing climate patterns. The study emphasizes the pressing need for proactive measures, including the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties, implementation of precision agriculture technologies, formulation of supportive policies, and global collaboration to ensure sustainable food production, rural livelihoods, and broader agricultural resilience in the face of an evolving climate.
Recommendations: To effectively address the intricate challenges of climate change on soybean production in Brazil, a multifaceted approach is crucial. Promoting research and development of climate-resilient soybean varieties tailored to local conditions can enhance the sector's adaptability. The integration of precision farming technologies, such as remote sensing and data analytics, can optimize resource allocation and mitigate climate-induced risks. Governments should formulate policies that incentivize sustainable agricultural practices, including subsidies for adopting climate-resilient techniques and providing insurance against climate-related losses. Lastly, international collaboration and knowledge-sharing platforms should be established to facilitate the exchange of successful strategies, fostering a global effort to safeguard food production in the face of climate change.
Keywords: Climate Change, Food Production, Soybean, Brazil
References
Azadi, H., Moghaddam, S. M., Burkart, S., Mahmoudi, H., Van Passel, S., Kurban, A., & Lopez-Carr, D. (2021). Rethinking resilient agriculture: From climate-smart agriculture to vulnerable-smart agriculture. Journal of Cleaner Production, 319, 128602.
Balogun, A. L., Marks, D., Sharma, R., Shekhar, H., Balmes, C., Maheng, D., ... & Salehi, P. (2020). Assessing the potentials of digitalization as a tool for climate change adaptation and sustainable development in urban centres. Sustainable Cities and Society, 53, 101888.
Dubey, A., Kumar, A., Abd_Allah, E. F., Hashem, A., & Khan, M. L. (2019). Growing more with less: breeding and developing drought resilient soybean to improve food security. Ecological Indicators, 105, 425-437.
Duchenne-Moutien, R. A., & Neetoo, H. (2021). Climate change and emerging food safety issues: a review. Journal of food protection, 84(11), 1884-1897.
Escobar, N., Tizado, E. J., zu Ermgassen, E. K., Löfgren, P., Börner, J., & Godar, J. (2020). Spatially-explicit footprints of agricultural commodities: Mapping carbon emissions embodied in Brazil's soy exports. Global Environmental Change, 62, 102067.
Farooq, M. S., Uzair, M., Raza, A., Habib, M., Xu, Y., Yousuf, M., ... & Ramzan Khan, M. (2022). Uncovering the research gaps to alleviate the negative impacts of climate change on food security: a review. Frontiers in plant science, 13, 927535.
Foguesatto, C. R., & Machado, J. A. D. (2021). What shapes farmers’ perception of climate change? A case study of southern Brazil. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23, 1525-1538.
Fujimori, S., Hasegawa, T., Krey, V., Riahi, K., Bertram, C., Bodirsky, B. L., ... & van Vuuren, D. (2019). A multi-model assessment of food security implications of climate change mitigation. Nature Sustainability, 2(5), 386-396.
Molotoks, A., Smith, P., & Dawson, T. P. (2021). Impacts of land use, population, and climate change on global food security. Food and Energy Security, 10(1), e261.
Pereira, R. P. T., Galo, N. R., & Filimonau, V. (2022). Food loss and waste from farm to gate in Brazilian soybean production. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 10, 100431.
Sishodia, R. P., Ray, R. L., & Singh, S. K. (2020). Applications of remote sensing in precision agriculture: A review. Remote Sensing, 12(19), 3136.
Sita, K., Sehgal, A., Bhandari, K., Kumar, J., Kumar, S., Singh, S., ... & Nayyar, H. (2018). Impact of heat stress during seed filling on seed quality and seed yield in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) genotypes. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98(13), 5134-5141.
Yadav, S. S., Hegde, V. S., Habibi, A. B., Dia, M., & Verma, S. (2019). Climate change, agriculture and food security. Food security and climate change, 1-24.
York, A. M., Otten, C. D., BurnSilver, S., Neuberg, S. L., & Anderies, J. M. (2021). Integrating institutional approaches and decision science to address climate change: a multi-level collective action research agenda. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 52, 19-26.
