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Climate-Resilient Crops: Building a Future-Ready Food System

As climate change intensifies, agriculture faces growing challenges such as drought, extreme temperatures, and shifting weather patterns. These threats endanger global food security, making climate-resilient crops a necessity rather than an option. From leveraging machine learning in crop breeding to adopting drought-resistant farming practices, businesses and farmers are taking innovative steps to adapt.

Governments and organizations worldwide are also playing a key role:

London is investing in urban agriculture and vertical farming to ensure food security.

India is promoting climate-smart agriculture, encouraging farmers in arid regions to switch to drought-resistant crops like millets.

Dubai is leading with advanced agritech solutions, including hydroponics and climate-controlled greenhouses, to overcome water scarcity and extreme heat.

This blog explores how companies, researchers, and farmers; along with global cities; are working together to build a more resilient and sustainable food system.

C-Suite Oversight & Supply Chain Targets: Executive Leadership in Climate Resilience

More companies are acknowledging climate resilience at the highest corporate levels, with increasing oversight and commitments to supply chain water targets. The percentage of companies setting such targets has grown from 51% in 2017 to 69%, highlighting a shift towards sustainable water management. However, many still struggle to provide actionable details on addressing real risks.

Mapping & Management: Data-Driven Resilience

Monitoring and mapping tools, such as the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct, are helping companies assess water risks. Shared insights from successful case studies further improve resilience strategies. Notably, there has been a 59% increase in watershed restoration projects between 2016 and 2018.

Technology for Climate-Resilient Crops

AB InBev, concerned about barley yield declines due to drought, has leveraged machine learning and big data analytics to breed more sustainable barley varieties. This innovation accelerates climate-resilient crop development by bypassing traditional breeding timelines.

Reforestation & Ecosystem Restoration

Companies are also investing in ecological restoration to support climate resilience. For example, AB InBev has:

Reforested 100 hectares of degraded land.

Preserved 120 hectares of forests in Brazil and Bogotá, reducing sedimentation and improving water conservation.

Strengthening Cocoa Supply Chains

To combat falling yields due to climate change, Nestlé’s €96.5m Cocoa Plan has replaced 12 million aging cocoa plants with hardier, high-yielding varieties. This long-term investment ensures a more resilient and sustainable cocoa supply chain.

Farmer-Led Adaptation: Shifting to Drought-Resistant Crops

India’s Transition to Climate-Smart Farming

In India’s arid Karnataka region, farmers are moving away from water-intensive crops like rice, sugarcane, and maize, switching to drought-resistant millets. However, ensuring market demand remains a key challenge for these climate-smart crops.

Tackling Drought in North Africa

The Sustainable Agricultural Development of Highlands Project in North Africa is another example of resilience-building efforts, addressing water scarcity and climate adaptation in high-risk regions.

City-Led Innovations in Climate-Smart Agriculture

Dubai: Advanced Agritech Solutions

Dubai’s climate-smart agriculture initiatives include:

Vertical farming and hydroponics, reducing water use while maintaining high crop yields.

Controlled environments and smart greenhouses, helping crops withstand extreme heat.

These methods have been particularly effective for growing leafy greens and other high-demand crops.

Case Study: Salicornia – A Salt-Tolerant Marvel

Salicornia, a halophyte that thrives in saline environments, offers immense potential for sustainable agriculture. At Dubai’s International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), researchers have achieved groundbreaking success in cultivating this plant using seawater.

London: University of Sheffield’s Research

The University of Sheffield  is actively researching climate-resilient crops by:

Breeding crops with stronger root systems.

Exploring soil health improvements to enhance climate resilience.

Their work aligns with sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security while addressing environmental challenges. 

Conclusion

Climate resilience in agriculture is no longer optional—it is essential. From corporate leadership to farmer adaptation, innovative strategies, reforestation, and technology-driven breeding are paving the way for a more sustainable and food-secure future.

From Dubai’s desert farms to London’s urban gardens, climate-resilient crops are becoming essential for securing global food supplies. By overcoming unique challenges with innovative solutions, these cities showcase how collaboration and knowledge-sharing can pave the way for climate-smart agriculture worldwide.

AgriNext Awards, Conference & Expo: A Global Vision from Dubai to London

AgriNext is set to spotlight innovation in climate-resilient agriculture with upcoming events in:

Dubai (November 5-6, 2025): Focus on advanced solutions for arid climates, showcasing vertical farming, hydroponics, and salinity-tolerant crops.

London (May 15-16, 2025): Highlighting genetic advancements, urban farming, and sustainable practices suited for temperate climates.

Both events will feature global experts, live demonstrations, and collaborative workshops, aiming to foster practical solutions for climate-smart agriculture. These gatherings offer a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and strategies for building a resilient and sustainable future in farming.

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