Cost-effectiveness of climate-related agricultural investments in developing countries: a case study
New Medit, vol 14, n.2, (June 2015), pp. 4-12
Language: EN
Jel classification: D62, O13, Q01, Q57
Agriculture in developing countries requires substantial investments, public and private, to achieve food security. Climate-smart agriculture options would enhance the capacity of the agriculture sector to sustainably support food security, incorporating the need for adaptation and the potential for mitigation into development strategies. The paper discusses a two-phase interdisciplinary methodology based on a combination of biological and economic modeling. Agriculture investments which can deliver food security and adaptation benefits are tested for their mitigation potential using the Ex-ante Carbon balance Tool (Ex-act). Marginal abatement cost (MAC) curves are then built in order to identify the least cost options. The methodology can be applied to different environments and country contexts. A case study in Malawi is used as empirical application.
agriculture, food security, climate change, bio-economic modelling
