Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Compatible Development – Case Studies Synthesis Paper

This synthesis paper, prepared for the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), examines the intersection of agriculture, food security, and climate-compatible development (CCD) through case studies in Kenya, Bangladesh, and Honduras. It identifies systemic barriers to integrating climate adaptation and mitigation within agricultural sectors and provides global recommendations for policymakers and the international community to support small-scale farmers in developing countries.

• In Kenya, agriculture is a critical economic driver, contributing 26% of GDP directly and 25% indirectly, while supporting the livelihoods and food security of over 80% of the population. The government has implemented the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) to integrate adaptation and mitigation into planning and budgeting, and the Ministry of Agriculture has created an Agricultural Sector Coordinating Unit involving ten ministries.
• Kenya faces significant barriers to climate-compatible development, including institutional 'silo working style' among ministries and a lack of technical expertise. Financial constraints include a lack of resources for project proposals and a donor preference for short-term projects or single-focus mitigation actions rather than integrated approaches. Additionally, only 20% of Kenya's territory is suitable for agriculture.
• In Bangladesh, agriculture accounts for approximately 20% of GDP, with rice crops covering 75% of the cropping area and providing over 95% of total food grain production. The country utilizes the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), the latter of which is based on six pillars including food security and low carbon development.
• Bangladesh's agricultural adaptation strategies focus on climate-resilient crops (drought, salinity, and submergence tolerant), changing cropping patterns, and improved R&D. Mitigation efforts include promoting renewable energy for irrigation, using organic manure over chemical fertilizers, and favoring small family farms over large mechanized commercial operations.
• Honduras has developed the National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS), which prioritizes seven sectors including agriculture and water resources, with 15 of its 17 strategic objectives focused on adaptation. Implementation is managed by the Climate Change Inter-institutional Technical Committee (CCITC) and the Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change Network.
• Honduras struggles with institutional empowerment and coordination, noting that many actions are carried out in an 'isolated and uncommunicative manner'. There is a reported lack of specialized university courses in adaptation or food security, and local farmers find it difficult to apply new production techniques.
• Global analysis of the three case studies reveals that developing countries are often constrained in accessing international climate funding due to limited technical and institutional capacity to develop proposals. The report argues that the international community must provide support regarding the form and content of these proposals.
• The report emphasizes that because mitigation and adaptation are often treated as separate issues by donors and recipients, there must be a shift toward an integral approach. It notes that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is tasked with using an integrated funding approach to allow for cross-cutting programs.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2012). Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Compatible Development – Case Studies Synthesis Paper. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Synthesis-Paper-final.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Compatible Development – Case Studies Synthesis Paper. 2012. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Synthesis-Paper-final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Compatible Development – Case Studies Synthesis Paper |date=4 June 2012 |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Synthesis-Paper-final.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2012agriculture, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Compatible Development – Case Studies Synthesis Paper}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2012}, month = jun, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Synthesis-Paper-final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }