Adaptation to achieve resilient farming systems

Land Water Food helps to identify and implement the most effective interventions, sometimes simple changes of current practices, for instance by soil improvement or by anticipating on weather forecasts. However, sometimes a shift to other farming systems could also be an option, requiring not only expensive investments and but access to credits as well.

Is the next step to implement your climate policy plan into concrete actions, feasible for farmers and other stakeholders? Then Land Water Food is your experienced partner, ready to assist.

Prevention is better than cure. But this can be significantly improved with preventive measures such as the adjustment of agricultural production and a sustainable organization of the land's resilience. Experience with projects in the area of climate change and agriculture, both in the Netherlands and abroad, has shown that farmers can adapt in different ways. They must have knowledge and good understanding of various options to adapt. Relevant knowledge is often present among researchers or governments, but not connected to the farmers' level. It is important to disclose that information to benefit farmers.

Water management can be improved at a regional scale within the river basin. For example, by preserving or filtering water in the ground. Sometimes the river needs more space or have high water-resistant areas for storage. This requires careful spatial and landuse planning and, last but not least, knowledge of farming systems and social skills!

There is often no single solution to solve a problem. Land Water Food considers all the options with you: the choice of crops, soil fertility and soil structure, fertilization and water supply at farm level and regional level, land use and socio-economic aspects. The approach takes into account mitigating targets. Measures should therefore preferably also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and capture CO2. The result is a package of actions, which leads to a robust food system.
 

Disasters and disaster preparedness

In regions that are exposed to greater risks of flooding it is good to draw up contingency plans and to lend explicit attention to specific agronomic aspects such as the evacuation of livestock, animal health, the discharge of milk etcetera. But priority should be given to prevention, by transforming unsustainable agricultural practices into resilient farming systems.

Looming dike breaches in the Netherlands was a worthwhile experience. Fortunately, the final damage was limited by appropriate measures and close cooperation with operational services. Land Water Food likes to apply the knowledge of this area elsewhere in the world. Not only to fight disasters, but preferably to prevent crises by focusing on areas of high water-resistence. Evaluation of floods in El Salvador and recent flashfloods in Northwest Vietnam provided several additional valuable learning points, with respect to the specific situation of the farmers' families and the settlements in remote areas. Farmers are vulnerable for the impact of severe weather events, especially when they have limited access to information. Focus of Land Water Food is on prevention and early warning systems. How can landuse be improved to make the rural people more resilient to extreme weather events? And what kind of communication systems would work in case of emergencies?

"By participating in the crisis we were able to apply practical knowledge of agriculture. Crucial to leading the evacuation of dairy cattle in the right direction ...... "

Former Chair Farmers' Organization LTO Noord Groningen, Hilbrand Sinnema

Our projects

Improving Quality Tropical Fruit Vietnam

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  Adaptive Approaches North Netherlands

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  Climate & Agriculture Cambodia

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  Climate & Agriculture Uganda

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