Study: Climate change to malnourish 25 mln children in 2050

    This study, the most comprehensive assessment of the impact of climate change on agriculture to date, says the impact of climate change on poor people can be averted with 7 billion U.S. dollars additional annual investments in rural development.

    "This outcome could be averted with seven billion dollars per year of additional investments in agricultural productivity to help farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change," said Gerald Nelson, IFPRI senior research fellow and report lead author.

    Nelson said investments are needed in agricultural research, improved irrigation, and rural roads to increase market access for poor farmers. "Access to safe drinking water and education for girls is also essential," he said.

    The study, "Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs of Adaptation," was prepared by IFPRI for inclusion in two separate reports from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, both released on Wednesday in conjunction with international climate change meetings in Bangkok.

    The report says that developing countries will be hit hardest by climate change and will face bigger declines in crop yields and production than industrialized countries, the study finds.

    The negative effects of climate change are especially pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

    Compared to the average biophysical effects of climate change on yields in the industrialized world, the developing countries fare worse for almost all crops; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

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