Download PDF
The Environmental Defense Fund (“EDF”) issued a report titled:
Kansas in 2050 – A Pathway for Climate-Resilient Crop Production (“Report”)
The Report assesses alternative crops it believes Kansas farmers could grow in light of climate change:
- To respond to decreased water availability in hotter temperatures
- While still growing nutrient-rich food to address an expanding global population
The potential resilience benefits of the following crops are evaluated:
- Growing Sorghum instead of corn
- Winter rye instead of winter wheat
- Winter oats instead of winter wheat
- Millet instead of soybeans
The EDF Report contends that the alternative crops could help maintain crop productivity despite climate change causing:
- Thirsty crops
- Drier soils
The Report advocates investment in financial and technical assistance in the next Congressional Farm Bill to support crop diversification. It also suggests that agricultural lenders should develop financial products that incentivize improved crop resilience. In addition, food companies are seen as sources for investment in creating markets for alternative crops.
A few of the conclusions in the Report are that by 2050:
- A significant portion of current rainfed crop acres would need to shift to alternative crops in order to meet constraints related to nutritional value and water use.
- Alternative crops could increase from 16% of acreage in 2021 to 43% of acreage in 2050 resulting in a crop water use reduction by 12%.
- It is biophysically possible for future crop production in Kansas to be sustainable and resilient but major shifts in the broader agricultural system and market will be required.
A copy of the Report can be downloaded here.
