Deltas - Salinity and Drought

In deltas all over the world, food systems are under pressure from climate change, population growth, changing dietary habits and rapid urbanisation. This, in turn, is making it much more difficult to achieve SDG2 (‘Zero Hunger’). Production is a fundamental aspect of this, and is being affected by salinisation and soil desiccation. These are significant factors that pose a threat to current and future food supplies in deltas, and based on current scientific knowledge – including data from the IPCC – these factors are likely to become more severe in the future rather than less. National governments, national/international organisations and the private sector are all actively looking for solutions to help address these complex problems in deltas, both now and in the future. Ideally, this would involve an integrated approach, with a view to coordination with other SDG objectives.

This research will contribute to the identification of current and future problems, and to the formulation of solutions to food-related challenges. Case studies in Bangladesh and Vietnam will be used to develop tools that could also be used in other deltas. Food system analyses will be used to identify visions of the future, scenarios and transition pathways for agriculture and livestock systems already affected by (or prone to) salinisation and soil desiccation, in collaboration with stakeholders from governments, NGOs, research organisations and the private sector. The aim is to contribute to insights into current and future situations and to develop strategies for the transition to a sustainable future.