Land degradation affects 24% of the world’s land surface and 1.5 billion of its people. It is the result of human activities, exacerbated by natural processes, and is closely linked to climate change and loss of biodiversity. In Africa two-thirds of arable land is degraded. In Senegal, 2.5 million hectares are degraded (CSE 2011); the central “groundnut basin” is particularly affected.

This study conducted a participatory appraisal of climate vulnerabilities and conflict risks five communities across Senegal: 1) pastoral, agro-pastoral and farming communities in the drylands areas of Louga 2) farmer and agro-pastoral communities in Kaffrine, 3) fishing communities on the islands of the coastal area of Casamance, 4) relocated fishing communities in Saint Louis, and 5) displaced farming communities in the tropical forests of Casamance.

Food production and rural livelihoods' food security in Nepal face numerous threats for various reasons. Similar to global trends, the country contends with unpredictable weather patterns, including heat and drought stress on plants, as well as heavy precipitation. Around 80% of Nepal’s population is dependent on subsistence farming for their livelihood, while only 24% of all arable land is irrigated (Suhardiman et al., 2015).

The mid-hills of Nepal account for 68% of the country’s total area[1] and 56% of its arable land. Ranging in altitude from 610m to 4,876m, there are many small pockets of micro-irrigation that have the potential for high-value crop cultivation. However, almost a third of irrigable land here remains rainfed[2] and studies indicate an increase in fallow land due to a lack of year-round irrigation infrastructure and decrease in agricultural workforce.

Smallholder farmers residing in drylands represent the demographic most susceptible to the effects of climate change and variability. These individuals often grapple with limited resources, restricted access to credit, and a scarcity of arable land, which exacerbates their vulnerability. Managing climate risks within their production environment is not merely important, but a necessity. This is crucial to guarantee their food security and enhance their livelihood amidst the prevailing and future climate conditions.

Food system transformation is intrinsically tied to effective land and water resource management, especially in the regions facing competition among various land uses. The AhafoAno Southwest District in Ghana exemplifies this complexity, with agriculture, mining, and agroforestry practices competing against one another for arable land, impacting the local food system and contributing to water resource degradation.

Nepal’s agriculture sector is facing various challenges including, amongst others, inadequate infrastructures, investment, labor shortage, climate-induced changes, and weak agriculture governance mechanisms. With the increase in migration trends among males, the ‘left behinds’ in the mid-hills of Nepal, are mostly women, middle-aged men, and the elderly. Due to the massive decline in the labor force, arable land is left fallow, ultimately affecting food security.

The increase in agriculture production to meet the food demand of growing human population from a limited availability of arable land with low environmental footprints and preserving natural resources (soil, water and air) simultaneously are major challenges in South Asia. The situation is further complicated by the climate change, which will further lower the food production, compounding the challenge of meeting food demand.