The recent iteration of Climate 2.0, held in collaboration with SLYCAN Trust Youth in Jaffna, offered a valuable opportunity for young minds engaged in research and climate action to come together for an insightful conversation. This blog distils key takeaways from the discussion, with a focus on challenges facing Jaffna’s agricultural heritage and strategies needed to preserve these time-honoured practices in the face of climate pressures.
The dialogue with students from the University of Jaffna highlighted the urgent need to preserve traditional food systems, which have sustained communities for generations but are now under threat due to shifting climate patterns. These discussions offered valuable insights into both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Traditional food systems in Jaffna are not just a source of sustenance; they are deeply intertwined with the cultural and social fabric of the region. Crops such as Motta Karuppan rice and Mulai Keerai have been cultivated for centuries, offering nutritional benefits that are integral to the local diet. However, climate change is increasingly disrupting these practices. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and pest infestations are leading to reduced crop yields, threatening both food security and the preservation of cultural traditions. Participants in the dialogue stressed the importance of protecting these systems and developing strategies to safeguard them for future generations.
Traditional food systems play a vital role in ensuring food security, particularly in regions like Jaffna, where agricultural practices are closely tied to the local environment. The discussions highlighted the resilience of native crops, which have adapted over time to the specific climatic conditions of the area. For example, the Motta Karuppan rice is not only nutritionally rich but also well-suited to the local soil and climate, making it a crucial resource for food security.
However, participants emphasised the growing threats posed by climate change and the encroachment of industrial agriculture. Preserving traditional food systems is essential not only for reducing dependency on imported food but also for ensuring the nutritional well-being of the local population. The dialogue underscored that food security in Jaffna hinges on the ability to sustain traditional agricultural practices despite the environmental pressures brought on by climate change.
Climate change is placing immense pressure on traditional food systems, and the participants outlined various ways in which changing weather patterns are affecting agricultural practices. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and the spread of pests and diseases are disrupting the cultivation of traditional crops, raising concerns about the long-term viability of these systems.
The discussions highlighted the challenges faced by local farmers, who are finding it increasingly difficult to rely on traditional methods in the face of these climatic changes. For instance the spread of rice blast disease has forced many farmers to switch to less traditional but more resilient crop varieties, which may not align with the community’s cultural preferences. This shift is leading to a gradual erosion of traditional knowledge and practices, exacerbating the vulnerability of local food systems.
The adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices was a key focus of the discussions. Participants explored various strategies to enhance the resilience of traditional food systems by integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques. CSA offers the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change while preserving agricultural productivity.
The dialogue highlighted several CSA strategies, including the adoption of resilient crop varieties, improved water management techniques, and the adjustment of planting cycles. The introduction of drought-resistant crops and the use of efficient irrigation systems were identified as essential measures to ensure the sustainability of traditional food systems. Participants also stressed the importance of equipping local farmers with the knowledge and resources to implement these practices effectively.
Research plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on traditional food systems. Participants emphasised the need for targeted research that focuses on the specific challenges faced by local farmers in Jaffna. This research is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies tailored to the region’s unique conditions.
However, the discussions also highlighted the importance of translating research into actionable strategies that can be implemented at the local level. Effective implementation requires collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and local communities to ensure that the knowledge generated through research is accessible to those who need it most. Capacity-building initiatives are also vital to equip local farmers with the skills necessary to adopt these strategies and enhance the resilience of their food systems.
The discussions with students from the University of Jaffna underscored the critical importance of preserving traditional food systems in the face of climate change. These systems are not only essential for food security but also represent a vital part of the region's cultural heritage. As climate change continues to challenge the viability of these systems, it is crucial to develop and implement strategies that protect and sustain them for future generations.
By fostering collaboration between researches, policy makers, and local communities, and by combining traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices, Jaffna can build a more resilient food system that honours its heritage while adapting to the challenges posed by a changing climate.
ClimaComms is an initiative of SLYCAN Trust aimed at supporting and empowering communicators in enhancing evidence-driven and science-based communication on climate change. This initiative aims to better engage journalists, media professionals, and communicators from across the world to build climate awareness, raise climate literacy and contribute to scaling up evidence and science-driven climate action at all levels.
SLYCAN Trust Youth is a global initiative of SLYCAN Trust aiming to connect and empower youth to better engage in policy and action at all levels. Its work focuses on climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, animal welfare, social justice, entrepreneurship, and transformative resilience-building.
Written by: Shifaz Ameer
The recent iteration of Climate 2.0, held in collaboration with SLYCAN Trust Youth in Jaffna, offered a valuable opportunity for young minds engaged in research and climate action to come together for an insightful conversation. This blog distils key takeaways from the discussion, with a focus on challenges facing Jaffna’s agricultural heritage and strategies needed to preserve these time-honoured practices in the face of climate pressures.
The dialogue with students from the University of Jaffna highlighted the urgent need to preserve traditional food systems, which have sustained communities for generations but are now under threat due to shifting climate patterns. These discussions offered valuable insights into both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Traditional food systems in Jaffna are not just a source of sustenance; they are deeply intertwined with the cultural and social fabric of the region. Crops such as Motta Karuppan rice and Mulai Keerai have been cultivated for centuries, offering nutritional benefits that are integral to the local diet. However, climate change is increasingly disrupting these practices. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and pest infestations are leading to reduced crop yields, threatening both food security and the preservation of cultural traditions. Participants in the dialogue stressed the importance of protecting these systems and developing strategies to safeguard them for future generations.
Traditional food systems play a vital role in ensuring food security, particularly in regions like Jaffna, where agricultural practices are closely tied to the local environment. The discussions highlighted the resilience of native crops, which have adapted over time to the specific climatic conditions of the area. For example, the Motta Karuppan rice is not only nutritionally rich but also well-suited to the local soil and climate, making it a crucial resource for food security.
However, participants emphasised the growing threats posed by climate change and the encroachment of industrial agriculture. Preserving traditional food systems is essential not only for reducing dependency on imported food but also for ensuring the nutritional well-being of the local population. The dialogue underscored that food security in Jaffna hinges on the ability to sustain traditional agricultural practices despite the environmental pressures brought on by climate change.
Climate change is placing immense pressure on traditional food systems, and the participants outlined various ways in which changing weather patterns are affecting agricultural practices. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and the spread of pests and diseases are disrupting the cultivation of traditional crops, raising concerns about the long-term viability of these systems.
The discussions highlighted the challenges faced by local farmers, who are finding it increasingly difficult to rely on traditional methods in the face of these climatic changes. For instance the spread of rice blast disease has forced many farmers to switch to less traditional but more resilient crop varieties, which may not align with the community’s cultural preferences. This shift is leading to a gradual erosion of traditional knowledge and practices, exacerbating the vulnerability of local food systems.
The adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices was a key focus of the discussions. Participants explored various strategies to enhance the resilience of traditional food systems by integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques. CSA offers the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change while preserving agricultural productivity.
The dialogue highlighted several CSA strategies, including the adoption of resilient crop varieties, improved water management techniques, and the adjustment of planting cycles. The introduction of drought-resistant crops and the use of efficient irrigation systems were identified as essential measures to ensure the sustainability of traditional food systems. Participants also stressed the importance of equipping local farmers with the knowledge and resources to implement these practices effectively.
Research plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on traditional food systems. Participants emphasised the need for targeted research that focuses on the specific challenges faced by local farmers in Jaffna. This research is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies tailored to the region’s unique conditions.
However, the discussions also highlighted the importance of translating research into actionable strategies that can be implemented at the local level. Effective implementation requires collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and local communities to ensure that the knowledge generated through research is accessible to those who need it most. Capacity-building initiatives are also vital to equip local farmers with the skills necessary to adopt these strategies and enhance the resilience of their food systems.
The discussions with students from the University of Jaffna underscored the critical importance of preserving traditional food systems in the face of climate change. These systems are not only essential for food security but also represent a vital part of the region's cultural heritage. As climate change continues to challenge the viability of these systems, it is crucial to develop and implement strategies that protect and sustain them for future generations.
By fostering collaboration between researches, policy makers, and local communities, and by combining traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices, Jaffna can build a more resilient food system that honours its heritage while adapting to the challenges posed by a changing climate.
ClimaComms is an initiative of SLYCAN Trust aimed at supporting and empowering communicators in enhancing evidence-driven and science-based communication on climate change. This initiative aims to better engage journalists, media professionals, and communicators from across the world to build climate awareness, raise climate literacy and contribute to scaling up evidence and science-driven climate action at all levels.
SLYCAN Trust Youth is a global initiative of SLYCAN Trust aiming to connect and empower youth to better engage in policy and action at all levels. Its work focuses on climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, animal welfare, social justice, entrepreneurship, and transformative resilience-building.
Written by: Shifaz Ameer
