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Climate change, maize production and food security in sub-Saharan Africa

Although climate change is a global phenomenon, its impacts vary depending on region and season. To formulate appropriate adaptation options and ensure timely responses, we first need to better understand the potential impacts of climate change on maize yield and production, on different spatial and temporal scales.

Although climate change is a global phenomenon, its impacts vary depending on region and season. To formulate appropriate adaptation options and ensure timely responses, we first need to better understand the potential impacts of climate change on maize yield and production, on different spatial and temporal scales.

To help fill this gap in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a forthcoming article in the International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management titled “Maize systems under climate change in sub-Saharan Africa: Potential impacts on production and food security” (early edition available online) assesses the baseline impact of climate change in a business-as-usual scenario. The study indicates that maize production and food security in most parts of SSA are likely to be severely crippled by climate change, although the projected impacts will vary across countries and regions. Read more on CIMMYT’s website here.

Maize-based smallholder farming system in sub-Saharan Africa. Photo: Dagne Wegary/CIMMYT
Maize-based smallholder farming system in sub-Saharan Africa. Photo: Dagne Wegary/CIMMYT