Discuss the consequences of Climate Change on food security in tropical Countries. [150 words] [10 Marks][2023]

Introduction:
Climate change—marked by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events—is severely impacting food systems. Tropical countries, due to their geographic location and economic dependence on agriculture, are disproportionately vulnerable.

Consequences on Food Security:

  1. Reduced Agricultural Productivity
    • Heat stress & water scarcity reduce crop yields (e.g., rice, wheat, maize).
    • IPCC (AR6): Yield losses up to 25% in Sub-Saharan Africa & South Asia by 2050.
    • Tropical crops like coffee, cocoa, and bananas are highly climate-sensitive.
  2. Increased Frequency of Extreme Events
    • Floods, droughts, cyclones disrupt sowing/harvest cycles.
    • Example: Cyclone Idai (2019) in Mozambique wiped out months of food production.
  3. Pest and Disease Proliferation
    • Warmer temperatures expand pest ranges (e.g., Fall Armyworm in Africa & India).
    • New pathogens affect staple crops and livestock.
  4. Impact on Fisheries & Livestock
    • Coral bleaching and ocean warming reduce fish stocks (e.g., in the Maldives, Philippines).
    • Heatwaves affect poultry and cattle productivity, milk yield declines.
  5. Loss of Arable Land
    • Rising sea levels cause salinization of coastal farmlands (e.g., Sundarbans, Mekong Delta).
    • Desertification (e.g., Sahel region) reduces cultivable area.
  6. Disruption of Food Access & Prices
    • Crop failures lead to price volatility, reducing affordability for the poor.
    • FAO (2023): 70% of undernourished people live in climate-vulnerable tropical countries.
  7. Threats to Nutritional Security
    • Shift to calorie-dense but nutrient-poor diets due to low availability of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
    • Micronutrient deficiencies may rise (e.g., iron, zinc in staple grains).

Conclusion:
Tropical countries face a multidimensional threat to food security due to climate change—affecting availability, access, utilization, and stability. Addressing it requires climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable practices, and international cooperation (e.g., Adaptation Fund, GCF, Climate-Smart Agriculture initiatives).