The main consequence of higher temperatures and more unpredictable weather was a likely reduction in crop yields, down 6.9 percent in the case of maize, an important staple, the FAO said in a statement.
The FAO cited a paper presented at its conference on Africa, held in Angola this week, which urged African governments to “prioritize and implement measures to develop agriculture and sustainable natural resource management”.
The paper said a third of the continent’s population lived in drought-prone areas and six of its 10 largest cities are coastal.
Both of those areas are susceptible to climate change, it warned, which will affect poorer African countries disproportionately. Subsistence farmers are among the most vulnerable.
Adaptation to climate change through sustainable practices, including the promotion and protection of traditional and local foods and agricultural knowledge should be a priority, the paper highlighted by the FAO said.
The five-day meeting in Luanda, until May 7, will consider issues including the impact of high food prices on Africa food security and the challenges and opportunities for its biofuels production.
Source: Africa World News
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