Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a region already vulnerable due to socio-economic challenges and dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Rising temperatures alter precipitation patterns, droughts, and floods impact agricult...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01580-4 |
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| author | Daniel O. Omokpariola Cecilia Agbanu-Kumordzi Twizerimana Samuel Lydhia Kiswii Godiya S. Moses Abigail M. Adelegan |
| author_facet | Daniel O. Omokpariola Cecilia Agbanu-Kumordzi Twizerimana Samuel Lydhia Kiswii Godiya S. Moses Abigail M. Adelegan |
| author_sort | Daniel O. Omokpariola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a region already vulnerable due to socio-economic challenges and dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Rising temperatures alter precipitation patterns, droughts, and floods impact agricultural productivity, exacerbating food insecurity over time. This study examines how temperature, precipitation, droughts, and floods impact crop yields through regional variations in SSA climates, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and policy implications for climate adaptation and mitigation. The regional variations in climate effects cuts across SSA identified the Sahel and the Horn of Africa as particularly vulnerable to food availability, access, utilization, and stability, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations (women, children, and poor households) facing heightened risks due to their low level of adaptation capacity and reliance on agriculture for livelihoods thus leading to malnutrition, environmental and social insecurity. Climate-resilient agricultural practices such as smart agriculture, agroforestry, water management, and irrigation management can help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in addition to agricultural insurance programs, investments in resilient infrastructure and research prioritization. There is a call for action to develop and integrate climate adaptation into agricultural policies that safeguard crop yield, promote sustainable food systems to address the long-term impact of climate change, and ensure food security in SSA, emphasizing regional collaboration and support for vulnerable populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a54f764e393f44f88f8ea8b11025ab2b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-9984 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-a54f764e393f44f88f8ea8b11025ab2b2025-08-20T04:01:43ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-07-016112110.1007/s43621-025-01580-4Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan AfricaDaniel O. Omokpariola0Cecilia Agbanu-Kumordzi1Twizerimana Samuel2Lydhia Kiswii3Godiya S. Moses4Abigail M. Adelegan5Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe UniversityDepartment of Development Policy and Planning, National Development Planning CommissionSchool of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Geoinformation Science, College of Science and Technology (CST), University of RwandaSchool of Agriculture, Dryland Agriculture, Lukenya UniversityDepartment of Natural and Environmental Sciences, American University of NigeriaDepartment of Agricultural Economics, University of UyoAbstract Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a region already vulnerable due to socio-economic challenges and dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Rising temperatures alter precipitation patterns, droughts, and floods impact agricultural productivity, exacerbating food insecurity over time. This study examines how temperature, precipitation, droughts, and floods impact crop yields through regional variations in SSA climates, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and policy implications for climate adaptation and mitigation. The regional variations in climate effects cuts across SSA identified the Sahel and the Horn of Africa as particularly vulnerable to food availability, access, utilization, and stability, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations (women, children, and poor households) facing heightened risks due to their low level of adaptation capacity and reliance on agriculture for livelihoods thus leading to malnutrition, environmental and social insecurity. Climate-resilient agricultural practices such as smart agriculture, agroforestry, water management, and irrigation management can help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in addition to agricultural insurance programs, investments in resilient infrastructure and research prioritization. There is a call for action to develop and integrate climate adaptation into agricultural policies that safeguard crop yield, promote sustainable food systems to address the long-term impact of climate change, and ensure food security in SSA, emphasizing regional collaboration and support for vulnerable populations.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01580-4Rain-fed agricultureExtreme weather eventsFood systemsSmallholder farmersClimate SMART adaptation |
| spellingShingle | Daniel O. Omokpariola Cecilia Agbanu-Kumordzi Twizerimana Samuel Lydhia Kiswii Godiya S. Moses Abigail M. Adelegan Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa Discover Sustainability Rain-fed agriculture Extreme weather events Food systems Smallholder farmers Climate SMART adaptation |
| title | Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full | Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_fullStr | Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_short | Climate change, crop yield, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_sort | climate change crop yield and food security in sub saharan africa |
| topic | Rain-fed agriculture Extreme weather events Food systems Smallholder farmers Climate SMART adaptation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01580-4 |
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