Document Type

Report

Publication Title

Assessments of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change (AIACC), Project No. AF 90

Abstract

The climate change impact, vulnerability, and adaptation of the production of some major food crops and irrigation water requirements in Egypt and Tunisia were analyzed. The evaluation was based on the proposed stakeholder adaptation options with a range of modeling methodologies. The stakeholders engaged in the project represent the small-holder farmers, commercial farmers, and strategic resource managers. Simulation models were used to quantify some of the strategic adaptation options proposed by the stakeholders. The preliminary results show that there is an overall reduction in crop yields under climate change even when adaptation is taken into account. As well as, the project investigation found that, climate is perceived by North African farmers as one of the major risks of agricultural production, but the magnitude of the risk is perceived as higher than the risk derived from empirical knowledge. Changes in crop variety, crop calendar, and irrigation amount and nitrogen fertilization were the main options produced through the analysis steps. A combination between the three options were produced and tested too. Promoting education programs on water-saving practices and changes in crop choices was the fifth adaptation option resulted from the project investigation. The study concludes that the involvement of the rural population and extension services in capacity building programs is an essential adaptation measure, with information flows among and between these two groups of stakeholders.

Publication Date

2006

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