Agricultural Approach

Root and Tuber Crops Cultivation

Root and tuber crops like cassava and sweetpotato can help smallholding farmers respond and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This was revealed in the Food Resilience Through Root and Tuber Crops in Upland and Coastal Communities of the Asia-Pacific, or FoodSTART+ Project. Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Union, this aimed to enhance food security and climate resilience among poor farming households in the environments most vulnerable to climate change within the Asia-Pacific region. [1]
Climate Adaptation Effectiveness

Root and tubers tolerate and/or resist physical stressors like heat, drought, salty soils, and water logging. Also, new varieties have tolerance to biotic stressors, like viruses, which is another impact of climate change. These crops are helpful during post-disaster recovery because they have short growing cycles.

Climate Hazards

  • Extreme Heat
  • Extreme Rainfall
  • Monsoon
  • Rain-Induced Flooding

Locations

  • Batanes, Region II (Cagayan Valley)

Adaptation Sectors

  • Agriculture
  • Disaster Risk Reduction

CCET Instuments

  • Action Delivery

Target Group based on Vulnerability

Basic Sectors:
  • Cooperatives
  • Farmers and Landless Rural Workers
  • Indigenous Peoples

Evaluations

Economic / Financial Effectiveness
Mid

Ivatan farmers in Batanes adapted to climate change impacts through planting of root crops where the yield is underground and thus are not affected by strong typhoons [2]. The short growing cycle of these crops allow fast recovery from typhoons or floods and provide additional income for farmers [1].

Technical Feasibility
Mid

Roots and tubers are prime candidates for seed distribution, enabling faster recovery from disasters. Aside from access to seed, innovative private-public partnerships and increased investment in climate change adaptation initiatives,such as the development of climate-smart varieties, will be necessary [1].

Social Acceptability
Mid

The solution's income-generating potential and contribution to fast recovery from disasters could indicate general social acceptance. Consultations with community members from Eastern Samar indicate that they recognize the importance of root and tuber crops cultivation for food security as well as early recovery [1].

Environmental Impact
Low (+)

Cultivating roots and tubers requires less intensive management systems resulting to low ecological footprint.

Mitigation co-benefit

This solution which entails less intensive farming could result to less carbon emissions.

Keywords

Root and Tuber, Crop, Food Security

References

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