New South Asia network to tackle 'massive' climate adaptation challenge [View all]

[Dead_Parrot]

KATHMANDU, NEPAL (24 April 2012)—Today, recognizing the knowledge gap between the existing evidence of climate change and adaptation on the ground, researchers in Asia launched a novel learning platform to improve agricultural resilience to changing weather patterns, and to reduce emissions footprint.

The Climate Smart Agriculture Learning Platform for South Asia, established by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), will improve communication between scientists, government officials, civil society and farmers on best "climate smart" farming policies and practices in a region that is home to one-third of the world's poor and malnourished.

"South Asian countries, which heavily depend on agriculture, are most vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change—increased drought, unprecedented flooding, heat waves and decreasing farm yields," said Rt. Hon. Ram Baran Yadav, president of Nepal. "This learning platform provides a space for farmers to discuss the issues they face in the fields, for research scientists to share their findings on these issues, and for policy makers to respond and steer the agriculture sector from a more ground-based perspective."

"There is an increasing amount of data and scientific analysis available on projected changes in climate, observed and expected impacts on agriculture, and best practices for adaptation," said Pramod Aggarwal, CCAFS regional program leader for South Asia. "But this intelligence is often so scattered that farmers, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders cannot access it to make informed decisions. South Asia's climate adaptation challenge is too immense for this knowledge gap to persist."

More: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/bc-nsa042312.php
CCAFS: http://www.ccafs.cgiar.org