Climate change is transforming agricultural systems worldwide by altering temperature regimes, rainfall patterns, water availability, soil processes, crop productivity, and the stability of rural livelihoods. These changes are intensifying existing pressures on food production while creating new challenges for farmers, researchers, policymakers, and institutions responsible for ensuring sustainable agricultural development. Addressing these interconnected concerns requires integrated approaches that combine resource conservation, climate adaptation, mitigation, technological innovation, and livelihood resilience.
This book provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the transition towards sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, with particular emphasis on water, soil, carbon, crops, and rural livelihoods. It explores the efficient management of water resources under increasing climatic variability, sustainable soil management for maintaining fertility and ecosystem functions, and the role of agricultural systems in carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. Attention is also given to crop responses to environmental stresses, climate-smart production practices, improved varieties, resource-efficient technologies, and diversified farming systems capable of supporting productivity under changing conditions.
Beyond biophysical dimensions, the book recognises that agricultural sustainability is closely connected with the economic and social well-being of farming communities. It therefore considers livelihood diversification, risk management, institutional support, knowledge transfer, and policy interventions that can strengthen adaptive capacity, particularly among vulnerable producers.
By bringing together scientific understanding, practical management strategies, emerging technologies, and socio-economic perspectives, the book highlights pathways for balancing agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability. It is intended to serve as a useful resource for researchers, students, agricultural professionals, development practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders seeking informed approaches to building productive, low-carbon, resource-efficient, and resilient agricultural systems in a changing climate.
