Investments in research and development (R&D) for climate-smart, sustainable agriculture are vital for enhancing productivity, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving climate resilience. These investments may cover a wide variety of issues and potential interventions: precision farming, feed additives for methane reduction, improved animal and crop breeding, improved manure management, irrigation/cultivation practice changes to reduce rice methane, agroforestry, soil carbon sequestration, drought-tolerant crops and more.
One analysis estimates that an increase in agricultural R&D funding by $4 billion annually, coupled with $6.5 billion per year for the implementation of technical climate-smart solutions, could lower hunger to 5% globally by 2030, as compared to to 12% in 2010, while aligning with 1.5 degrees C pathways. However, the lack of comprehensive data on global R&D investments for climate-smart agriculture remains a significant challenge. Improved data collection and reporting are essential for informed policy decisions.
To improve the quantity and quality of climate-smart agriculture R&D funding, especially in regions where it is limited, various measures are required. These may include increasing government investment, creating incentives for private companies, targeting smallholder-focused solutions, strengthening local research capacity and promoting regional collaboration. It is also integral to align research with local needs, diversify funding sources through innovative financing mechanisms, and improve data collection and transparency.