Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.3, 124-133 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 128 5.3 Effects of climate change Climate change poses significant challenges to maize production, with potential impacts on crop yields and food security. Increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns can negatively affect maize yields, particularly in regions near the equator. However, in cooler regions, climate change may lead to increased yields due to higher carbon dioxide concentrations and extended growing seasons (Khanna, 2018). Adaptation strategies, such as adjusting sowing dates and developing climate-resilient maize varieties, are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on maize production. These strategies can help ensure the stability and availability of maize, thereby contributing to global food security (Grote et al., 2021). By implementing sustainable agricultural practices, protecting biodiversity, and adapting to climate change, the maize production system can be optimized to support global food security while minimizing its environmental footprint (Guo et al., 2023). 6 Innovations and Solutions 6.1 Innovations in agricultural technologies Innovations in agricultural technologies are crucial for enhancing maize productivity and ensuring global food security. One significant advancement is the development of improved maize varieties, which have been shown to positively impact household food security. For instance, in South Africa, the adoption of improved maize varieties has led to increased food expenditure per capita, particularly benefiting female farmers who are more likely to adopt these varieties (Sinyolo, 2020). Additionally, biofortification through traditional plant breeding has increased the nutritional content of maize, enhancing its protein, provitamin A carotenoid, and zinc levels, which are essential for improving human nutrition and overall health (Palacios-Rojas et al., 2020). These innovations not only boost productivity but also contribute to better nutritional outcomes, thereby supporting food security (Cortes et al., 2021). 6.2 Sustainable farming methods Sustainable farming methods are essential for maintaining the long-term productivity of maize while minimizing environmental impacts (Figure 2) (Gong et al., 2015). In the Eastern Himalayas, the integration of short-duration crops such as French beans into the maize-fallow system has proven to be highly effective. This system has demonstrated the highest productivity, energy efficiency, and economic profitability, while also reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional maize-fallow systems (Babu et al., 2020). Such sustainable practices are vital for achieving a circular economy in agriculture and ensuring the environmental sustainability of maize production. Gong et al. (2015) found that an ideal maize plant, or ideotype, should exhibit specific shoot and root traits to maximize productivity and resilience under changing climatic conditions. The shoot traits include optimal leaf angles to maximize light capture and uniform, moderate plant and ear height to facilitate mechanized harvesting and provide lodging resistance. Root traits are described as "steep, cheap, and deep," which suggests a root system designed to enhance water and nutrient uptake efficiently. This ideotype aims to improve the plant's overall stress resistance, ensuring that maize can maintain high productivity even as environmental conditions fluctuate. By adopting these traits, maize plants can better adapt to future agricultural challenges, contributing to sustainable crop production. 6.3 Policy and institutional support Policy and institutional support play a critical role in facilitating the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies and sustainable farming methods. Policies that promote the dissemination of improved maize varieties, particularly targeting female farmers, can significantly enhance household food security. In South Africa, policy recommendations include facilitating access to less costly improved seed varieties and improving information dissemination to support the adoption of technological innovations among smallholder farmers (Sinyolo, 2020). Additionally, aligning maize agro-food systems with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring food and nutrition security while addressing economic, environmental, and social dimensions (Tanumihardjo et al., 2020).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODY0NQ==