Based on an International Workshop held in New Delhi, India, this work should be of interest to all organizations and agencies interested in improved risk management in agriculture. In many parts of the world, weather and climate are one of the biggest production risks and uncertainty factors impacting on agricultural systems performance and management. Both structural and non-structural measures can be used to reduce the impacts of the variability (including extremes) of climate resources on crop production.

Weather and climate risk is a very broad and complex subject. One of our biggest challenges is to recognise the complexity of climate science and at the same time, implement practical ways of adapting and managing the impact of weather and climate on a farm business. This book explains daily and seasonal weather events; discusses the drivers of weather and climate and the longer term scientific models that measure and monitor our variable climate; and describes how to manage the risks that weather and climate present to your farm business. How to use this information to guide on-farm decision-making is the point of this book. It covers three key principles: 1. All farming systems involve change and adaption. 2. Variability in weather or climate brings unpredictability, uncertainty, and even disasters. These introduce risk into our farming systems. 3. Managing this risk is a planning process. There are tools and techniques that can keep risk in perspective, as a motivator rather than a stressor. Managing climate risk on your farm is based on the work of two previous publications from Tocal College; Weather and climate in farming, managing risks for profit (2000) Bayley, D and NBN Weather Book (2006) Bayley, D and Brouwer, D. Also used extensively in this book, A Farmer’s Guide to Managing Climate Risk, 8th edition 2008 by Michael Cashen, Advisory Officer Climatology. Recognition is given to the authors above for their important and significant contribution to this publication.

Climate change presents an unprecedented challenge to the productivity and profitability of agriculture in North America. More variable weather, drought, and flooding create the most obvious damage, but hot summer nights, warmer winters, longer growing seasons, and other environmental changes have more subtle but far-reaching effects on plant and livestock growth and development. Resilient Agriculture recognizes the critical role that sustainable agriculture will play in the coming decades and beyond. The latest science on climate risk, resilience, and climate change adaptation is blended with the personal experience of farmers and ranchers to explore: The "strange changes" in weather recorded over the last decade The associated shifts in crop and livestock behavior The actions producers have taken to maintain productivity in a changing climate The climate change challenge is real and it is here now. To enjoy the sustained production of food, fiber, and fuel well into the twenty-first century, we must begin now to make changes that will enhance the adaptive capacity and resilience of North American agriculture. The rich knowledge base presented in Resilient Agriculture is poised to serve as the cornerstone of an evolving, climate-ready food system. Laura Lengnick is a researcher, policymaker, activist, educator, and farmer whose work explores the community-enhancing potential of agriculture and food systems. She directs the academic program in sustainable agriculture at Warren Wilson College and was a lead author of the report Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States: Effects and Adaptation.

This book examines the implications of risk management for policy in agriculture. Opening with a chapter on risk management principles and guidelines for policy design in agriculture, the book goes on to look at quantitative analysis of risk and then at policy in various countries.

Climate change is becoming a source of significant additional risks for agriculture and food systems. Climate projections suggest that impacts will include shifting average growing conditions, increase climate and weather variability, and more uncertainty in predicting tomorrow's climate and weather conditions. Agricultural risk management (ARM) is ideally placed to support stakeholders in building resilience to these increased risks in short and medium term. ARM can also play an important role in the transition to a climate-smarter agriculture system by offering a useful entry point for dialogue. The clear initial focus on the management of shorter term risks and their economic impact can help create a sense of urgency and attract stakeholder involvement that then paves the way for broader discussions around climate-smart agriculture. This study seeks to understand the climate change impacts on agricultural risk - how do risks change? - and on ARM - how can agricultural risk managers respond? This response has two elements: First, what role can ARM play in meeting the climate change challenge? Second, how will ARM need to adapt its methodology to the new normal of climate change? Chapter one briefly sketches a conceptualization of climate change impacts on agricultural risk. Chapter two assesses the impact of climate change on production risks, including temperature fluctuations, drought events, heavy rainfall (including floods), and other direct weather events, such as cyclones and storms, as well as indirect implications of climate change, such as pests and diseases. Chapter three discusses risk repercussions at the market level. Chapter four focuses on the implications of climate change risks on the enabling environment. Chapter five assesses the implications of climate change impacts for agricultural risk management.

Risk Management and the Environment: Agriculture in Perspective is a modern academic work that seeks to bring out both to the private and the policy sectors the importance of risk management in relation to the envi ronment in agriculture, as the world moves towards freer markets. Many efforts were pooled together in making this book. Three years ago, an attempt was made by one of the editors to get a project on 'Agri cultural Risk Management and Sustainabilty' (ARMAS) funded by the European Commission. Probably deeming the proposal as prematurely novel for Europe, the Commission's screening experts abandoned its evaluation. Following that experience it became apparent that the literature on the theme ought to be strengthened and emphasized through a book by a well known publishing house. The editorial team was formed relatively quickly and an invitation to known experts in the field for contributions was issued. Subsequently, Kluwer Academic Publishers, evaluated an edited volume proposal package, and final revisions were made prior to submitting the entire manuscript for publication. We are gratefully acknowledging the moral support of several individu als as well as the patience of our publishers.