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Conflict and war that have broken out in various locations worldwide in the recent past, are creating pressures on global supply-chains. Beyond the immense human suffering and terrible loss these conflicts inflict on their respective populations, the ripple effects can have a profound resonance in our highly globalized world. Over the years, the global food supply chain has evolved to become a marvel of modern logistics and international cooperation. It involves an intricate network of producers, distributors, and retailers working in concert to ensure that food from the farthest corners of the world reaches our tables. This system hinges on a seamless operation of trade routes – shipping lanes, ports, railways, and road networks – making it possible to transport food products across vast distances efficiently. The stability of these routes is paramount; they are the arteries that keep the global food supply chain alive. Beyond the Battlefield: The Ripple Effects of Conflict on Global Food Prices and Availability However, the seeming fragility of this system becomes apparent when conflicts arise. Conflicts, such as the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle-East, demonstrate how quickly and severely disruptions can ripple through the global food supply chain. Ukraine and Russia, for instance, are significant exporters of wheat and corn, and the conflict has drastically affected their agricultural outputs and export capacities​​. Similarly, the war in the Middle-East has metastasized to the Gulf region, where commerce ships have been targeted by insurgents, resulting in several international shipping companies refusing to send ships through the Red Sea Suez Canal. These examples illustrate how geopolitical tensions can lead to trade blockades and restrictions, further destabilizing food distribution networks.

With the projected need to feed 9 billion people by 2050 amidst escalating Conflicts and increasing climate change disruptions , the agriculture sector faces a dual predicament: how to increase production sustainably while adapting to the adverse impacts of a new and volatile world? Weathering the Storm: Adapting Agriculture to a Changing Climate Over the past decade, the effects of extreme climate are becoming evident worldwide: increased temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events like droughts and floods have become a constant reality. These changes have a direct impact on the world’s agricultural production - affecting crop yields, reducing arable land, and disrupting global trading routes. The ripple effect of these changes are felt across the global food supply chain, from farmers struggling with unpredictable weather to consumers facing food shortages and increased prices. The task of feeding a growing global population becomes even more daunting in the face of these climate-induced challenges. In response to this challenge, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) may emerge as a promising and viable solution. It is an approach that seeks to transform and reorient agricultural systems to support food security under the new realities of climate change. It involves adopting practices and technologies that sustainably increase agricultural productivity, strengthen farmers' resilience to climate impacts, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions where possible. Soil, Science, and Savvy: The Pillars of Climate-Smart Farming