Mainstreaming Extension System Reforms for Achieving Climate Resilient Food Systems
Climate-related extreme weather events pose a serious threat to food systems. The food systems, in turn, continues to be a major global contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Thus, in line with the Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, promoting climate resilience requires mainstreaming and integrating food systems related strategies and policies within Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) related goals and updates. A key integration aspect is strengthening agriculture extension services - they are crucial both to climate action and to broader agricultural and food system transformation. Although, extension systems are often faced with operational budget constraints, weak technical capacity, coordination challenges, poor research-extension linkages, and unsupportive policy environments for building resilience to climate shocks.
