Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part B (2025)

The shifting climate patterns, characterized by rising temperatures and altered precipitation, pose a significant threat to crop stability, underscoring the critical need to safeguard food security. Elevated CO₂ levels present a dual-edged impact on agriculture, offering potential yield enhancements through improved water use efficiency while exacerbating the adverse effects of climate change on crop quality and viability. Essential crops like maize and wheat face heightened vulnerability to climatic extremes like droughts and floods, leading to decreased productivity and jeopardizing agricultural output. Adaptation strategies, including the introduction of climate-resilient crop varieties, emerge as vital solutions to sustain agricultural productivity amid these challenges. Modeling environmental variables becomes imperative to inform adaptive agricultural practices capable of withstanding the evolving climate landscape and ensuring food security. Modeling studies have provided crucial insights into the influence of climate change on dryland crops, particularly regarding the effects of escalating CO₂ levels and shifting precipitation patterns. While elevated atmospheric CO₂ levels can potentially boost maize yield by enhancing water use efficiency and growth, counteracting some drought impacts, they also present challenges such as shifting farming practices and increased production costs to align with changing climatic conditions. The intricate relationship between the agricultural sector and climate dynamics complicates food security, with climate-induced productivity shocks leading to fluctuating crop prices. Adapting to these climate shifts is pivotal to sustainably secure food production, necessitating innovative strategies like integrated pest management and targeted support for smaller farmers facing increased vulnerability. Embracing holistic approaches and technological advancements is crucial for the agricultural sector to successfully navigate the complexities of climate change and ensure resilience in dryland agriculture through proactive policymaking, research investment in drought-resistant crop varieties, and sustainable land management practices. Collaboration among policymakers, agricultural experts, and local farming communities is essential to disseminate knowledge and resources effectively in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in agriculture.