The document discusses the challenges of agriculture research in addressing climate change and its impacts on food security, emphasizing the need for adaptation strategies. It highlights the complex interactions within food systems, including production, distribution, and consumption, and the role of socioeconomic drivers and environmental feedbacks. Key questions focus on the effects of climate change on crop productivity and the importance of integrated research to inform policies aimed at enhancing food security while mitigating climate change.

1. Climate change & variability and extreme events adaptationWhat are the challenges for agriculture research in assisting climate change / food security practice and policy?Presented by John Ingram (ESSP-GECAFS, University of Oxford) at the Workshop on Dealing with Drivers of Rapid Change in Africa: Integration of Lessons from Long-term Research on INRM, ILRI, Nairobi, June 12-13, 2008

2. Helps to consider 2 main aspectsRole of agriculture in food systems(multiple functions)

3. “Food System” conceptintegrates Food System Activities and OutcomesFood System ACTIVITIESProducing food: natural resources, inputs, technology, …Processing & packagingfood: raw materials, standards, storage requirement, …Distributing & retailingfood: transport, marketing, advertising, …Consumingfood: acquisition, preparation, customs, …Food System OUTCOMES Contributing to:EnvironmentEcosystem stocks & flows

4. Ecosystem services

5. Access to natural capitalSocialIncome

6. Employment

7. Wealth

8. Social capital

9. Political capital

10. Human capitalFood SecurityFOOD UTILISATIONFOOD ACCESSAffordability

11. Allocation

12. Preference

13. Nutritional Value

14. Social Value

15. Food SafetyFOOD AVAILABILITYProduction

16. Distribution

17. ExchangeEricksen, P. Conceptualizing Food Systems for GEC Research (GEC: 2007)