Agriculture in the Near East is likely to suffer losses because of high temperature, droughts, floods and soil degradation threatening the food security of many countries, FAO said today.

Hunger and malnutrition caused by climate change will most probably affect those who are already poor, malnourished or dependent on local food production, according to a report that was discussed at the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (1-5 March 2008), held in Cairo.

The Middle East and North Africa are particularly exposed to water shortages. An additional 155 to 600 million people may suffer an increase in water stress in North Africa with a 3° Celsius temperature rise.

“The number of dry days is expected to increase everywhere in the region.“The number of frost days should decrease, while heat waves in the region’s more continental areas might become more frequent. As a result, the length of growing seasons should decrease. More efficient water and energy use, sustainable agriculture, better forest management and afforestation are key measures to mitigate the effects of climate change”.