COLONIA, YAP, FSM.  Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Yap Agricultural Experiment Station.

There is no one size fits all solution for climate change adaptation in agriculture. Climate change impacts agriculture and food security differently all over the world. Effects vary on different crops and farming systems, therefore a wide range of adaptation options are necessary. Preserving and enhancing food security requires agricultural production systems to change in the direction of higher productivity. Lower output variability in the face of climate risk and risks of an agroecological and socioeconomic nature is also essential. In order to tackle climate change and produce more food to feed the island population, an integrated “climate-smart” approach is needed. Food security and climate change are closely linked and key opportunities exist to transform the sector towards climate-smart systems that address both. Most estimates indicate that climate change is likely to reduce agricultural productivity, production stability and incomes in small islands. Developing climate-smart agriculture is thus crucial to achieving food security. One of our current Hatch Projects attempts to test science-based climate-smart agriculture practices that promote successful adaptation of small island agricultural systems to climate change and ensure food security.