CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY.

Climate change is a phenomenon which is now known all over the world. The threats it is posing to different countries makes it a global headache whose lifetime cure is yet to be determined and put in place.  However, it should be noted that although these climate change mitigation measures are known, individuals have proved to be adamant, ignorant or just too selfish to put them into action thus making it very difficult to put an end to its threats. These effects will therefore still be felt in most countries with negative impact on food security not an exception.

With most communities’/countries dependent on rain for crop production and with crops also in need of specific conditions to thrive, countries will undoubtedly experience a huge reduction in their produce. This in turn means the country in context will not have enough food in her stores and will in most instances depend on imports to ensure food stability.

Let’s take a case study of the recent phenomenons in Kenya. First, the country recently experienced an historic invasion of desert locusts in various parts of the country. This according to many scientists and researchers is attributed to the hotter climates resulting from climate change. The impact was felt, especially in the North Eastern part of Kenya where they descended with rage. This is even after these insects left. They  cleared crops such as maize in farms, several trees and the green grass in that region leaving the region with almost no green vegetation left.

Secondly, the region has also been experiencing an alteration in the rainfall patterns for quite some time. Today, nobody believes in the predictions of the weather forecasters as opposed to before. If they predict rain and advice Kenyans to plant, the reluctance that follows such an advice clearly indicates the effect that climate change is having on our planting patterns which have become completely unpredictable! This is happening not because the weathermen have turned to liars but because climate change is making it difficult for accurate weather prediction.

 The long-known seasons for planting have proved otherwise as currently the region experiences extreme sunshine which doesn’t support planting or excess rain which does no good but harm our crops; this is evident in the stunted growths, lower yields and withered maize plantation.

In conclusion, climate change is adversely affecting the agricultural sector and therefore farmers have to adjust in order to accommodate it. Preparing to plant at different times of the year, embracing irrigation and planting crops that can do better even in hot and dry conditions are some of the measures which can be used to reduce these negative effects of climate change on food security.