1. What Do Farmers Need to Adapt to Climate Change?
Debra Pretty-Straathof
- Introductions
Presentation to the World Farmers’ Organisation’s Annual General Assembly: Farmers Growth
May 4, 2016

3. Manure Composter separating liquids from solids

4. Understanding the Impacts For Canada:
Increased temperature
Shifts in precipitation
Increased extreme events
Rising sea levels
Longer growing season
Changing pest and disease pressures
Water stress (excess and shortage)
Infrastructure
Loss and gain of agriculture lands

5. Farmers Are Inherently Adaptive
Gradual climatic changes are manageable.
Access to the right information is needed to inform farm management and investments.
Extreme events will be more challenging.
Off-farm factors and decision-making, (ex. land use, water management) can significantly help or hinder agriculture’s adaptation.

6. Snow cover protects crops over winter and feeds groundwater resources

7. With warmer winters, cover crops may be needed

8. There are fields on either side of this road under the water from the 2014 Manitoba flood.
From Winnipeg Sun

9. What Do Farmers Need to Adapt
Education and awareness
Information on local impacts and risks
Vulnerability and risk assessments that involve farmers, recognizing different production methods and commodities
Supportive government policies
Access to credit
Appropriate incentives for the right adaptations
Funding for research and program delivery

10. Thank You