CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE AGRICULTURAL SECTORPresented by: Mr. Shaun Baugh, Principal Director Planning and Policy Division, MICAF

Overview What is climate change? Climatic related factors affecting

Jamaica’s Agricultural Sector Mitigation measures implemented by the

Ministry to combat the impact of climate change

Quote “Some may still deny the overwhelming

judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms”

Barack Obama

What is Climate Change? According to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),climate change refers to a change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and that is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods

Challenges facing Jamaica’s Agricultural Sector The agricultural sector is affected by several

factors due to the impact of climate change. These include: Sea Level Rise – which will lead to saline intrusion Increase in the frequency of extreme weather

such as drought, storms and floods Increases in pest and diseases Reduced and zero yield in certain crops Hurricanes Negative impact on Fisheries Sector

Increase in Frequency of Extreme Weather Conditions

Following Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, Jamaica was not affected by a major storm or hurricane until Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Between 2004 and 2012, Jamaica has been affected by 9 different Tropical storms/Hurricanes and the total value of loss to the agricultural sector was approximately $7.6 billion (RADA).

Increase in Frequency of Extreme Weather Conditions

Losses/Damages due to Hurricane/Tropical Storm (RADA):

Increase in Frequency of Extreme Weather Conditions

Increase in Frequency of Extreme Weather Conditions

Drought Between 2013 and 2015, Jamaica has

been plagued by extended periods of drought and this has had negative impacts on crops and livestock.

Increase in Frequency of Extreme Weather Conditions

The Effect of Drought Conditions on Agricultural Production in Jamaica (2013)

Source: RADA

Pests and Diseases Climate change has caused a rise in

pests and diseases in recent times. Major climate related pests and diseases affecting crop production include the following: Beet Army Worm (BAW):During the period

2009-2012, losses of over $140 million in onion and scallion fields were recorded

Coffee Leaf Rust Taro Leaf Hopper (Dasheen)

Pests and Diseases

Pests and Diseases Coffee Leaf Rust

Mitigation Measures Implemented by MICAF

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries (MICAF) has implemented and/or manage several programmes to mitigate against the impact of Climate Change on the agricultural sector.

Mitigation Measures Implemented by MICAF

Objective of Mitigation Measures:• Sensitize and train stakeholders in climate

awareness, coping methods and resilience. • Introduce climate smart farming methods

and soil erosion control techniques in order to increase agricultural productivity and improve food security.

• Training farmers and other stakeholders in efficient water management and land husbandry practices.

• Encouraging farmers to plant Climate-tolerant crops eg. cassava, pineapple, sweet potato.

Climate Change Related Partners ACDI VOCA - Ja REEACH The Food and Agriculture Organization of the

UN (FAO) Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on

Agriculture – IICA The European Union Adaptation Fund CARICOM The UNDP Climate Change Division

Mitigation Measures Implemented by MICAF

These include the following: Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems

Adapting to Climate change (Ja REEACH I) GOJ Adaptation Fund (Component 2) Drought Mitigation Programme Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience

(PPCR)

Mitigation Measures Implemented by MICAF

The GOJ Initiatives have produced the following: Over $70 m provided in productivity grants 2300 farmers trained in better soil conservation methods Over $1B income generated by farmers from crops

harvested Training of RADA Extension Officers in Land Husbandry

Farmer Field School Methodology Establishment of over107 climate smart gravity drip

irrigation systems installed Capacity building for farmers in relation to Climate Smart

Agriculture. Climate Change mainstreamed into the operations of

MICAF

Mitigation Measures Implemented by MICAF

Gravity Drip Irrigation system

The Way Forward Continue to Build on the Success in Climate

Awareness Promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture Continued Strategic partnerships Climate Prove Agricultural Development Plan Continued training of Farmers and

Stakeholders Promotion of Innovation which address the

various resilience realties of Climate Change Promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture

The ENDQ&A