Risk definitions: A basic discussion of climate risk and vulnerability applied to agricultural production Risk management: What can be done to reduce the impact of climate variability on agriculture? What are the fundamental differences between developing and developed countries, as far as climate risk is concerned? Impact Losses: A quantification, at the national and global scale, of the losses actually suffered by agriculture due to climate variability

Food security and its relationship to sustainable agricultural and rural development have increasingly become matters of concern for developing countries and for the international community. While there are many complex factors that influence sustainable development and food security, it is clear that education in agriculture plays an important role in preparing farmers, researchers, educators, extension staff, members of agri-businesses and others to make productive contributions. A critical issue in the 21st century will be the changes and adaptations required in agricultural education in order for it to more effectively contribute to improved food security, sustainable agricultural production and rural development. According to Rogers, (1996, p.86) "poor training of agricultural extension staff has been identified as part of the problem of the relative ineffectiveness of much of extension in the field." This applies not only to extension staff, but to agricultural professionals in general. Unfortunately, the training of human resources in agriculture is often not a high priority in the development plans of countries. As a result, curricula and teaching programmes are not particularly relevant to the production needs and employment demands of the agricultural sector. The situation has become more serious in recent years due to the economic crises in ...

At the heart of most development programmes is an attempt to bring about change in people, according to this paper. In educational terms, change may come about in people's knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviour. The change should result in a person having an increased capacity to make decisions and to choose, implement and evaluate strategies

This FAO Guidelines examines issues specific to those sectors, and suggest the processes, information requirements, policy directions, planning tools and possible interventions that are necessary for ICAM (Integrated coastal area management and agriculture).