Developing Climate-Resilient Crops to Avoid Global Famine

In a study published in Trends in Plant Science, an international group of researchers cautions that, without swift advancements in the development of climate-resilient crops, the world could experience severe food shortages, leading to famine, large-scale migration, and global instability.

As climate change intensifies, scientists raise concerns about its potentially catastrophic effects on the global food supply.

We’re in a race against time. The crops we depend on for food are increasingly struggling to survive extreme weather, from heat waves to droughts and floods. Meanwhile, our current approaches to developing tougher, more resilient crops simply aren’t moving fast enough.

Silvia Restrepo, Study Co-Author and President, Boyce Thompson Institute

The problem is complex: Crops are not only struggling with rising temperatures but also with more frequent pest infestations and diseases. Even when plants manage to endure these challenges, climate change can diminish their nutritional value. Agriculture accounts for roughly 26 % of global greenhouse gas emissions, perpetuating a harmful cycle.

The researchers propose five key recommendations to tackle this crisis:

1. Launch global research initiatives that unite scientists from both developed and developing countries to share resources and expertise.
2. Focus on studying plants in real-world environments rather than solely in controlled laboratory settings.
3. Foster stronger collaborations between laboratory researchers and farmers.
4. Build public trust and acceptance of new crop development technologies.
5. Simplify regulatory processes to accelerate the implementation of innovative solutions.

One of the most notable findings is that, despite agriculture's critical importance to human survival, only about 4% of global climate funding (approximately $35 billion annually) is allocated to developing climate-resilient food systems. Even more concerning, the majority of this funding is directed toward large-scale farming in developed countries, leaving smaller farms and developing nations underserved.

We need to completely rethink how we approach this challenge. Instead of starting in the lab and hoping solutions work in the field, we should begin by understanding farmers’ real-world challenges and then work backward to develop practical solutions.

Andrew Nelson, Study Co-Author and Associate Professor, Boyce Thompson Institute

The scientists highlighted that achieving success will necessitate an unprecedented level of collaboration between scientists, farmers, policymakers, and the public. They also emphasized the need to ensure that new technologies are accessible to all regions, especially in the Global South, where the effects of climate change are often most pronounced.

As climate change continues to progress, the authors argue that incremental changes are no longer sufficient. By boldly implementing the five recommendations outlined above, agricultural systems can be made more resilient to climate change impacts while also enhancing food security and nutrition.

The group of 21 co-authors from nine countries was formed following the First International Summit on Plant Resilience, organized by the Plant Resilience Institute earlier this year. The keynote speaker, Co-Author Michelle Heck, Adjunct Professor at BTI and Cornell University and Research Molecular Biologist at USDA-ARS, discussed her groundbreaking research on preventing citrus greening disease.

The summit fostered global collaboration, uniting top plant scientists from various fields. Together, they created a roadmap to position plant resilience research as a key component of global climate change solutions. A follow-up summit is scheduled for 2026.