Conclusions
Understanding food value chains and food systems in terms of the risks and the potential impacts of climate change in the core value chain stages, the extended value chain and the enabling environment in which it is imbedded, as well as the behaviour of the diverse stakeholders involved, can help identify the most impactful food system interventions to support climate-smart agriculture. In some cases, the leverage points that will have the greatest influence in promoting a transition to climate-smart agriculture, lie in the support services or the enabling environment of the food system. It is therefore necessary to take a systems approach to identify and design the most effective, proactive and sustainable climate-smart agriculture interventions. Analysing the interactions and feedback loops of the different activities carried out at all levels of the food system and at all stages of the food value chains, as well as the incentives and capacities of the stakeholders involved, can help minimize the trade-offs and harness synergies among the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. A food systems approach will assist decision making on the potential pathways to follow to develop sustainable food value chains and sustainable food systems for climate-smart agriculture.