In Central America, smallholder farmers are at the heart of the agricultural sector. They represent the majority of the farming population and accounting for a significant portion of regional agricultural production. Many of these smallholder farmers depend directly on natural ecosystems for the provision of water, soil conservation, pest control, and other ecological services. Climate models indicate that Central America will likely experience warmer and drier seasons and increases in the frequency of extreme weather events as a result of climate change. These changes will likely reduce crop yields, change pest and disease outbreaks, and have significant negative impacts on farmer livelihoods. Smallholder farmers are likely to be particularly vulnerable to the expected impacts of climate change due to their high dependence on agriculture for their livelihoods and their limited resources and capacity to cope with shocks. There is therefore an urgent need to identify strategies that help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change. Improving the productivity and resiliency of smallholder farming systems is also critical for alleviating poverty and achieving food security.
Ecosystem-based adaptation for smallholder subsistence and coffee farming communities in Central America (cascade)
Year: 2013
