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Story Publication logo April 28, 2016

What is 'Climate-Smart' Agriculture?

Country:

Uganda
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English

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William & Mary 2015-2016 Sharp Reporting Projects

The Pulitzer Center and The College of William & Mary continue their unique initiative to provide...

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Anthony Wolimbwa’s farm in Eastern Uganda includes, in the foreground, bean plants that require a shorter amount of growing time than corn, are not as susceptible to corns’ diseases, and are therefore more profitable. In the background, the Arabica coffee plants (white puff balls) have only survived under the shade of large trees. Those plants are very temperature sensitive and therefore in danger with a warming climate. Wolimbwa is now planting a new type of tree, the banana tree (shown far left) which provides shade and also attracts different bugs then the insects of the coffee plant Competition of pests will reduce the overall number of pests and diseases on the farm. Image courtesy of Anthony Wolimbwa. Uganda, 2016.

The phrase "climate-smart" agriculture, coined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, means producing more food using less space. Student fellow Talia Schmitt discusses the implications of the practice and what environmental experts think of the trend.

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