Encouraging a Triple Dividend in Agriculture

The document argues for a 'triple dividend' approach to agriculture that balances the need to feed a growing global population with the necessity of climate mitigation and adaptation. It highlights that while agriculture is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, it also possesses significant potential for carbon sequestration and resilience building. The report identifies sustainable intensification and soil carbon sequestration as key strategies, though it notes challenges such as high upfront costs, knowledge gaps, and the difficulty of scaling up successful local projects. It emphasizes the need for research and development, improved extension services, and innovative financing to support smallholder farmers, particularly in developing regions.

• Agriculture is a significant source of global greenhouse gas emissions, directly accounting for 14 per cent and indirectly contributing another 17 per cent through land-use changes like deforestation.
• Climate change is expected to create a geographic divide in agricultural productivity: temperate zones in North America, Europe, and Asia may see increases due to longer growing seasons, while non-temperate regions, particularly in developing countries, are expected to experience declines.
• The agricultural sector has a substantial mitigation potential, with the ability to reduce total CO2 emissions by 5 to 20 per cent by 2030, primarily through soil carbon sequestration, agroforestry, and improved livestock and rice management.
• Sustainable intensification can significantly increase yields while sequestering carbon; one study of 286 projects across 57 countries showed an average yield increase of 79 per cent and carbon sequestration of 0.35 tonnes per hectare per year.
• The Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project demonstrates the triple dividend by benefiting 60,000 smallholder farmers through practices that generated 1.2 million tonnes of CO2e in carbon uptake, increased crop variety for adaptation, and improved yields for food security.
• Soil carbon sequestration is estimated to provide 89 per cent of the mitigation potential in the agricultural sector, but it is complex and often requires high upfront costs and intensive knowledge for implementation.
• There are significant barriers to scaling up 'triple-win' agricultural practices, including high start-up costs, long payback periods, and a lack of adequate agricultural extension services and training for workers.

APA

Murphy, D. (2011). Encouraging a Triple Dividend in Agriculture. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/food_security_agriculture_triple_dividend.pdf

Chicago

Murphy, Deborah. Encouraging a Triple Dividend in Agriculture. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2011. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/food_security_agriculture_triple_dividend.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Murphy |first1=Deborah |title=Encouraging a Triple Dividend in Agriculture |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=November 2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/food_security_agriculture_triple_dividend.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{murphy2011encouraging, author = {Murphy, Deborah}, title = {{Encouraging a Triple Dividend in Agriculture}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/food_security_agriculture_triple_dividend.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }