One of the great challenges for the agricultural sectors is to meet the increasing need for food despite the worsening production conditions while not expanding the land area under cultivation or pasture. There is a great danger of continuing encroachment of agricultural land into forest land in order to compensate decreasing productivity by an increase of the production area, and thus deforestation which increases greenhouse gas emissions and contributes further to climate change. Not only land-based production systems but also fisheries and aquaculture are heavily affected by climate change. CSA seeks to identify and develop locally adapted strategies and practices which improve production systems and their natural resource base and sustainably increase productivity despite the adverse effects of climate change.

FAO is implementing a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project that promotes climate-smart livestock management in Ecuador with a focus on vulnerable provinces. The main objectives of the project are:

• Strengthening of institutional capacities to integrate the climate-smart livestock approach into national policies and territorial management.
• Dissemination of climate-smart livestock management practices through technical assistance to farmers.
• Support to local livestock producer networks and assistance in accessing small grants.
• Establishment of monitoring systems for GHG emissions from livestock production.

The project "Climate-Smart Agroforestry Systems for the Dry Corridor of Central America" supports Guatemala and Honduras to increase the uptake of climate-resilient agroforestry systems through the Farmer Field School approach. The systems – Kuxur rum in Guatemala and Quesengual in Honduras – were developed based on traditional farming practises in both countries. In addition to the positive effects of enhanced soil and water conservation and avoided greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from slash-and-burn agriculture, the project seeks to reduce GHG emissions from private households through a more efficient use of fire wood.

FAO is preparing two GEF-funded projects to support the climate change adaptation of the fishery and aquaculture sectors in the Eastern Caribbean and Chile. The projects will provide support to the government as well as to local fisher folk, through for example:

• Testing and promotion of improved fishing practices.
• Climate-smart technology exchange programmes.
• Provision of easily accessible early warning systems for extreme climate events.
• Demonstration and training Centres for aquaculture.