Agriculture: new crop strains required

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) says yields of existing varieties will fall as rainfall patterns become less predictable and more variable and temperatures rise.

Photosynthesis slows down as temperatures rise, which also slows the plants' growth and capacity to reproduce. Rice yields are declining by 10% for every degree Celsius increase in night-time temperature.

Traditional areas suitable for certain crops will shift, as indicated by the BBC graphic, below. However not all regions are capable of shifting crop production into the newly appropriate climatic zones, because of existing urbanisation or geographic features, like mountains or the sea.

Media: Link