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Agronomy QUESTION #2106
Question 1
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is defined by FAO as an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses three objectives. Which correctly identifies all three pillars?
  • Maximizing synthetic input use, eliminating smallholder farming, and industrializing food systems
  • Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes (food security), adapting and building resilience to climate change (adaptation), and reducing greenhouse gas emissions where possible (mitigation) — with food security as the primary priority✔️
  • Exclusively reducing agricultural GHG emissions regardless of impact on food security
  • Promoting organic farming, eliminating livestock, and rewilding agricultural land
Correct Answer Explanation
FAO's CSA framework has three pillars: (1) Productivity — sustainably increasing agricultural output and farmer incomes to achieve food security; (2) Adaptation — reducing vulnerability and building resilience to climate shocks; (3) Mitigation — reducing GHG emissions per unit food produced and sequestering carbon in soils/biomass. The three objectives must be pursued together, with explicit recognition of trade-offs, particularly between mitigation and food security for vulnerable smallholders.