Climate change: causes and effects on African agriculture

Abstract

Climate is the primary important factor for agricultural production. Science has made enormous efforts in understanding climate change and its causes, and is helping to develop a strong understanding of the current and potential impacts that will affect people today and in the future. This understanding is crucial because it allows decision makers to place climate change in the context of other large challenges facing Africa and the world. This study reviews the causes and effects of climate change on agriculture in Africa. The main interests are findings concerning the present and potential impacts to agricultural systems, role of human adaptations in responding to climate change, and potential changes in patterns of food production.