ABSTRACT
A changing climate is likely to have a drastic impact on crop yields in Africa. The purpose of this book is to document the effects of climate change on agriculture in Africa and to discuss strategies for adaptation to hotter weather and less predictable rainfall. These strategies include promoting opportunities for farmers to adopt technologies that produce optimal results in terms of crop yield and income under local agro-ecological and socioeconomic conditions.
The focus is on sub-Saharan Africa, an area that is already affected by changing patterns of heat and rainfall. Because of the high prevalence of subsistence farming, food insecurity, and extreme poverty in this region, there is a great need for practical adaptation strategies. The book includes empirical research in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and other Sub-Saharan countries, and the conclusion summarizes policy-relevant findings from the chapters.
It is aimed at advanced students, researchers, extension and development practitioners, and officials of government agencies, NGOs, and funding agencies. It also will provide supplementary reading for courses in environment and development and in agricultural economics.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|68 pages
Climate science, agronomic, and agroecological factors
chapter 3|27 pages
Mapping vulnerability to climate change of the farming sector in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia
part II|136 pages
On-farm practices related to food crop productivity
chapter 5|24 pages
Adaptation to climate change in sub-Saharan agriculture
chapter 8|30 pages
Risk preferences and the poverty trap
chapter 9|18 pages
Good things come in packages
part III|78 pages
On-farm practices other than those related to food crop productivity
chapter 10|33 pages
Climate change adaptation and livestock activity choice in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia
chapter 11|31 pages
The distributive effect and food security implications of biofuels investment in Ethiopia
part IV|65 pages
Gender issues
chapter 14|20 pages
Gender-differentiated impacts of climate variability in Ethiopia
part V|59 pages
The broader development context
chapter 15|21 pages
The land certification program in Ethiopia
chapter 16|20 pages
Migration as an adaptation strategy to weather variability
part VI|9 pages
Conclusion and policy implications