By Abdullahi Lukman
About one-third of the world’s crops are at risk as climate conditions become increasingly unsuitable for cultivation, according to a new study published in Nature Food.
The study attributes the situation to persistent global warming which, it said, poses a severe threat to food production.
The research, conducted by Aalto University, provides a detailed analysis of how rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased aridity will impact 30 major food crops worldwide.
The study found that low-latitude regions, including parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, will be the hardest hit, with up to half of crop production in these areas at risk under extreme warming scenarios.
These regions will also suffer a loss in crop diversity, further threatening food security.
“The range of food crops available for cultivation could decrease significantly in certain areas, making it harder to obtain adequate calories and protein,” said Sara Heikonen, the lead researcher.
Staple crops such as *rice, maize, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans*, which account for over two-thirds of global food energy intake, will face major declines in suitable growing areas.
Tropical root crops like yam and cereals, which are essential to food security in low-income regions, are particularly vulnerable.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the most affected region, nearly *three-quarters of current production could be lost if global temperatures exceed 3°C.*
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By contrast, mid- and high-latitude regions are expected to retain most of their agricultural land and may even see an increase in crop diversity.
“For instance, the cultivation of temperate fruits like pears could expand in more northern regions,” Heikonen noted.
However, despite these potential benefits, new challenges could arise, including *pest invasions and extreme weather events*, warned Professor Matti Kummu, the study’s senior author.
Many of the low-latitude regions most at risk are already struggling with food sufficiency and economic instability, making them less resilient to climate shocks.
However, investment in fertilization, irrigation, and improved storage and distribution systems could help mitigate the impact, Kummu suggested.
Additionally, crop selection and genetic breeding innovations will be crucial in adapting to changing growing conditions.
For mid- and high-latitude countries, flexibility in crop choices and agricultural practices will be key to adjusting to shifting climate patterns.
Farmers and policymakers must prepare for changes in which crops can be successfully grown, while also addressing broader pressures on the global food system.
“If we want to secure our food system, we need both climate mitigation and adaptation,” Heikonen emphasized.
Even though the biggest changes will occur in equatorial regions, the entire world will feel the effects through the globalized food supply.
We must act together to address these challenges, the sturdy warns.
