COP29 must acknowledge farmers' crucial role in mitigating climate issues, expert says

Climate-smart agricultural practices can contribute to improving the economic well-being of small-scale farmers while playing a vital role in mitigating the impacts of climate change, Adnan Arshad, an expert on Climate-Optimized Agriculture (COA) from Lanzhou University, China, told Report.

Arshad emphasized that these technologies can have a highly positive impact on small farms in developing countries, such as Azerbaijan. He noted that farmers are the most vulnerable population to the negative consequences of climate change.

"By increasing productivity and diversifying income sources, these methods create opportunities for income generation and poverty reduction," Arshad said.

The expert highlighted the need for informational, financial, and institutional support for agricultural entrepreneurs.

"These support methods can help small-scale farmers better adapt to climate-resilient practices," he stressed.

One platform for sharing such experiences is the sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Speaking about COP29, set to take place in Baku in November 2024, Arshad expressed his desire to see the parties pay more attention to the problems faced by farmers and their role in combating the effects of climate change.

"The upcoming COP29 must recognize the vital role of farmers and their active participation in efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change," he concluded.