Agriculture is essential for our survival and it’s one of the most important ways to make a living for poor people living in rural areas. But at the same time, agriculture is by far the largest threat to our environment, due to its contribution to global warming and loss of ecosystem services.*
Supporting a development towards more productive and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems is therefore an important part of Sida’s work. It will not only lead to less emissions of greenhouse gases, and conservation of ecosystem services, but it will lead to less deforestation and improved opportunities for income and employment.
A sustainable agricultural system means conservation of productive soils, clean water, effective circulation of nutrients and biodiversity. A good management of chemicals is another important factor.
In addition to that, agriculture needs to be able to store Carbon dioxide and Methane, rather than adding to increased emission of greenhouse gases. Better knowledge and technology on how to refine the harvested products is also needed to increase the international trade.
Climate change will continue to affect the farming conditions in the future, with drought, rising temperatures, flooding and extreme weather. Adapting to a changing climate is thus an important aspect in Sida’s food supply projects and programmes. The initiatives can include introducing new seed, improving irrigation or developing alternative farming methods.
A sustainable use of ecosystem services doesn’t only include agriculture, but sea and fresh water resources and forestry, with less illegal logging. The Swedish Government’s Special Climate Change Initiative is one example of Sida’s support to climate change adaptation in world’s most vulnerable countries. Read more about Sida’s support to agriculture and economic opportunities
(*source: Johan Rockström, Stockholm Environment Institute)
