Climate change is already affecting crop production, and in some cases is undermining the viability of current crop systems.
Crop research and development plays a critical role in developing the technologies and practices farmers need to maximize productivity and manage the increasing risks they face. This paper investigates how transformative adaptation - long-term, systemic change to fundamental aspects of systems in response to or anticipation of severe climate change impacts – can be sped up and scaled through crop research and development.
The paper explains why transformative adaptation is needed in cropping systems, how seeds systems play a key role in these systemic shifts, and what changes are needed in crop research and development to enable climate-resilient transformations. The paper concludes by providing recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and adaptation funding entities.