The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Year 2012, Volume 58 Issue 2
| Year : | 2012 |
| Volume : | 58 |
| Issue : | 2 |
| Authors : | Hamid CUSTOVIC, Mirha DJIKIC, Melisa LJUSA, Ognjen ZUROVEC |
| Title : | EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGES ON AGRICULTURE OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES AND ADAPTATION POLICIES |
| Abstract : | Agriculture is both a cause and a victim of climate change. Most of the emissions of methane and nitrogen suboxide in the Western Balkans comes from agriculture. Increased temperature, reduced total precipitation, increased number of summer days, extended period between the last spring and first autumn frost, increased sum of active air temperature above 10°C, are just some of the effects of climate change in the area of the Western Balkan countries. Climate changes will have a positive effect on yield and quality of winter crops. Areas of fruit and vine growing will expand. Spring crops will be threatened by high temperatures and water shortages during the summer months. There will also be a reduction in yield and quality of pasture, fodder; pastures will get depleted due to heavy rains and winds; and, propagation of various pathogenic microorganisms and parasites harmful for animals will accelerate. Accelerated processes of soil erosion caused by change of land use, increased rainfall intensity and extended drought periods, may also be expected. There is a substantial number of short-term adaptation measures whose implementation does not require large investments and can be easily applied in various agro-environmental regions. Such measures include: change of timing of field operations and planting density; biological protection methods; change of land cultivation method; prudent use of fertilizers-taking into account the changed efficiency of fertilizers due to modified climatic conditions; etc. Majority of the medium-term adaptation measures are related to the improvement of soil fertility, while the long-tem ones, which are the most expensive but also most effective, include change of crop rotation in accordance with changed growing conditions, selection of new varieties and hybrids resistant to drought and able to efficiently use the available moisture, setting of shelterbelts, changes in use of agricultural land, reconstruction and improvement of irrigation systems, installation of hail nets and frost protection systems. All three countries have proposed a detailed list of potential adaptation measures by sectors in their Initial National Reports, in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Establishment of relevant policies and measures is essential for the countries of Western Balkans. Institution and capacity building in these countries is crucial. |
| Keywords : | agriculture, climate changes, adaptation policies, Western Balkan |
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