Climate Change and the Future of Agriculture
Climate change, according to the United Nations, refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas), which produce heat-trapping gases. Climate change has impacted the lives of everyone across the globe in one way or another, and some have been left more vulnerable to its impact than others.
Climate change has become so important that countries across the world and organisations have found themselves racing against time, to limit the adverse effects of climate change and correct any damage done, as evidenced in recent summits held around the world. One of which is the COP27, about to be held in Egypt. Speaking in New York ahead of the summit to the BBC’s climate editor Justin Rowlatt, the UN’s Chief Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of addressing climate change issues, as he said; “There has been a tendency to put climate change on the back burner.” If we are not able to reverse the present trend, we will be doomed.”
All the recent attention this topic has garnered shows that climate change has moved from just being a buzzword among researchers and scientists, warning us of its dangers, to being among the everyday concerns of the average person.
Climate change and its adverse effects on the agricultural sector.
The evidence of the damage climate change has done is very much on display in the agricultural sector more than in any other sector. Today, farm owners both large and small, and organisations or corporations in the agricultural sector have in one way or another been at the receiving end of some of the adverse effects of climate change, some of which include;
- Changing climate trends; this may include changes in precipitation (intense periods of heavy rains and longer dry periods) and changes in temperature patterns.
- Droughts.
- Flooding.
- Extreme weather events.
- Desertification.
- Plant diseases, and an overall increase in water scarcity among others.
According to an article published by Science Daily in April of 2021, research shows that “despite important agricultural advancements to feed the world in the last 60 years, a new study shows that global farming productivity has fallen 21% since the 1960s — the equivalent of losing about seven years of farm productivity increases — all due to climate change.”
An article by Gordon Feller for World Grain says, “Climate change is set to affect yield quantity and quality, reproduction, growth rates, and increased temperature-related stress and deaths in livestock, as well as feed quality and the spread of pests, ruminant and zoonotic diseases.” Because of increased runoff and reduced groundwater resources, the availability of water resources for livestock will decrease. “Globally, a decline in livestock of 7% to 10% is expected at a 2°C increase, with associated economic losses of between $9.7 billion and $12.6 billion.”
Closer home, an article published by Premium Times Nigeria states that “available data suggests that, globally, roughly 1.3 billion tons, an estimated one-third of food worth $1 trillion, are lost post-harvest, with 14 percent of food loss occurring between the post-harvest stage of the supply chain and before the retail stage.” According to the FAO, $4 billion is lost during the post-harvest and distribution stages of the food value chain in sub-Saharan Africa annually. As of 2018, it was estimated that 30 to 40 percent of food loss in Nigeria occurs annually, with a total value of $750 billion.
The article further states that “as for Nigeria, it ranks 129th in terms of vulnerability and 187th out of 192 countries overall, meaning that while Nigeria is not only vulnerable to the effects of negative climatic events, it cannot also leverage investments and convert them to adaptation actions.” This handicap is nowhere more obvious than in one of its most vulnerable sectors — one that is not living up to its full potential but is also estimated to be the largest employer of labour: agriculture. More specifically how a changing climate may lead to food loss.
The most recent example of Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change is the flooding happening across the nation right now. Its devastating effects, which are on open display as of October 26, have displaced over 1.3 million people, to quote various news channels and destroyed large expanses of farmlands in the affected areas. This has led to a disruption in food production and food supply. This vulnerability is not helped by Nigeria “practising rain-fed agriculture”, which renders her more susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. With extreme climatic events such as flooding, extreme heat, and drought leading to soil degradation, which results in low crop yields,” according to an article published by The Nation.
This has led to calls from stakeholders and concerned citizens for organisations and the government to find lasting and proactive solutions to combat the problems of climate change affecting the agricultural sector in Nigeria and protect the funds of investors and farmers in this sector.
One of such solution has come in the form of Virfars, a social investment initiative inspired by youths from over 50 African countries with the sole aim of creating an all-around scalable agricultural solution that improves farming as we know it. We are a start-up with an investment initiative that will see us provide jobs for youths across Africa and be part of a broader initiative to contribute to sustainability in the food sector and ensure food security. Our products include;
● Digital farming.
● Land leasing.
● And an Agro-Mart.
As an organisation, we do not claim to have the solutions to the problems faced by the agricultural sector as a result of climate change. What we offer, however, is a company that protects the investment of our customers. With knowledge of the risks faced in the agricultural sector, we have entered into strategic partnerships in and around Africa that will see us practice farming with the technological “know-how” to mitigate the effects of climate change in the sector and contribute greatly to food supply and security in Nigeria.
With the help of technology and advanced farming practices, we will build and farm on healthier “spongier” soils and create farms that are a diverse ecosystem, among others. Also, our farms are insured against unforeseen circumstances, making us the right choice for investors and the “go-to” agricultural platform for individuals looking to make farming a side hustle.
Simply put, we are here to make agriculture attractive and rewarding again, as we greatly reduce the risks to the barest minimum, and ensure investors’ funds are safe against the ever-reaching and destroying hands of climate change.
