FAO warns of 10-12% agriculture yield drop without climate change remedies

By Huzefa Aliasger  

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) projects a 10-12% yield reduction in agriculture if measures are not taken to mitigate issues related to climate change.  

According to the press release made by the FAO, Sri Lanka is consistently ranked among the top ten countries at risk of extreme weather events according to the Global Climate Risk Index as the tropical climate is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change.  

Statements made to the media also disclose projections indicating significant shifts in weather patterns, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased frequency of extreme events, all of which have already begun to diminish agricultural productivity and water availability across the island.  

Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment said , “Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to climate change is a pressing concern, particularly for our farmers who are at the frontline of this crisis.”  

The FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture has embarked on the development of its first Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Investment Plan.  

The FAO also said that the Climate-Smart Agricultural plan is a strategic initiative aimed at fortifying the nation’s agricultural sector. The plan will involve extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including government bodies, the private sector, and academia, to assess national climate finance priorities and develop innovative investment mechanisms tailored to the unique challenges of the country’s agricultural sector.  

FAO Representative for Sri Lanka, Vimlendra Sharan, also highlighted that climate change is already impacting food security and that the CSA Investment Plan is vital for ensuring the sector’s future resilience.