Agricultural adaptations include increasing irrigation where water is available, growing different crop varieties, changing planting and harvesting dates, expanding access to markets, and shifting agricultural production from one area to another. Some of these coping efforts can be undertaken by individual farmers, while others will require the joint action of farmers and outside organizations, including development agencies, private industry, and national governments. Farmers will adapt. But it's important to note that we're not even completely adapted to our climate today. Agriculture already has to respond to many dynamic factors, such as changing markets, regulations, and demands.
Climate change puts another stress on agricultural systems.
Because many of these people live in the tropical and subtropical countries most likely to experience the negative effects of climate change, they are in a position of double jeopardy. Unfortunately, developing countries are doing little to plan for either mitigation or adaptation. One reason is the learning curve on the science of climate change. Even in developed countries, where a lot of sophisticated research has taken place for many years, policymakers are only beginning to be aware of the urgency of climate change and willing to do something about it. This is especially true in developed countries in temperate zones, which won't feel much impact even if some of the worst climate projections come true.