"Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) (or climate resilient agriculture) is an integrated approach to managing land to help adapt agricultural methods, livestock and crops to the effects of climate change and, where possible, counteract it by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, while taking into account the growing world population to ensure food security."
Agricultural practices that enhance food security while sustainably adapting and mitigating climate change.
Climate change: Understanding the causes and impacts of global warming on agriculture and the environment.
Soil health: The importance of soil organic matter, soil structure, nutrient balance, and erosion control for sustainable agriculture practices.
Crop management: Crop selection, planting, irrigation, fertilization, and pest management to enhance productivity while reducing environmental impacts.
Livestock management: Raising animals sustainably by improving productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.
Water management: Improving irrigation efficiency and water conservation, particularly in drought-prone regions.
Agroforestry: Combining trees and crops for erosion control, carbon capture, and biodiversity conservation.
Climate-smart practices: Understanding the principles of conservation agriculture, cover cropping, agroforestry, and other techniques to optimize soil and water management.
Climate risk management: Identifying and managing risks associated with weather extremes and climate change for agricultural businesses and communities.
Sustainable supply chains: Implementing sustainable sourcing and production methods to meet international climate targets and reduce emissions.
Policy and governance: Understanding the role of government policies, regulations, trade agreements, and stakeholder engagement in promoting climate-smart agriculture.
Conservation agriculture: A system that promotes soil health through minimum tillage, crop rotation, and cover crops.
Agroforestry: A practice that involves integrating trees into agricultural landscapes to improve soil health, conserve water, and provide shade.
Sustainable intensification: A strategy that focuses on increasing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts and enhancing ecosystem services.
Integrated pest management: A practice that involves using a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods to manage pests and diseases in crops.
Precision agriculture: A technology-based approach that uses data and analytics to optimize agricultural production and minimize waste.
Climate-resilient crops: The use of crops that are more resistant to extreme weather conditions, such as drought-tolerant crops.
Livestock management: Practices that improve the health and productivity of livestock, reduce their environmental impact, and enhance their contribution to food security.
Aquaculture: The production of aquatic animals and plants in controlled environments such as fish ponds or tanks.
Soil carbon sequestration: Land-use practices that promote carbon sequestration in soil, such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry.
Organic farming: A practice that eliminates the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and promotes the use of organic inputs to promote soil health and biodiversity.
"The emphasis is not simply on carbon farming or sustainable agriculture, but also on increasing agricultural productivity."
"...supports FAO’s goal to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and more sustainable."
"CSA has three pillars: increasing agricultural productivity and incomes; adapting and building resilience to climate change; and reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture."
"For example, in regards to rising temperatures and heat stress, CSA recommends the production of heat tolerant crop varieties, mulching, water management, shade house, boundary trees, carbon sequestration, and appropriate housing and spacing for cattle."
"CSA seeks to stabilize crop production while mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change and maximize food security."
"In order for CSA policies to be effective, they must be able to contribute to broader economic growth, the sustainable development goals and poverty reduction."
"They must also be integrated with disaster risk management strategies, actions, and social safety net programmes."
"CSA is in line with FAO’s vision for Sustainable Food and Agriculture."
"The emphasis is not simply on carbon farming or sustainable agriculture, but also on increasing agricultural productivity."
"...where possible, counteract [climate change] by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, while taking into account the growing world population to ensure food security."
"There are different actions listed to counter the future challenges for crops and plants."
"There are attempts to mainstream CSA into core government policies, expenditures and planning frameworks."
"Reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture."
"CSA recommends... water management."
"They must also be integrated with disaster risk management strategies, actions, and social safety net programmes."
"Adapting and building resilience to climate change."
"For example, in regards to rising temperatures and heat stress, CSA recommends... appropriate housing and spacing for cattle."
"In order for CSA policies to be effective, they must be able to contribute to broader economic growth, the sustainable development goals and poverty reduction."
"...supports FAO’s goal to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and more sustainable."