Climate change induced increases in temperatures, rainfall variation and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are adding to pressures on global agricultural and food systems. The changing climate is also adding to resource problems, such as water scarcity and soil degradation.

While agriculture is a victim of climate change, it also contributes to it. The main direct agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are nitrous oxide emissions from soils, heavy tillage, Nitrogen fertilisers and manure from grazing animals; and methane(CH4) production by ruminant animals and from paddy rice cultivation. Both gases have a significantly higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.