The impacts of climate change induced droughts on smallholder farmers in Latin America and the caribbean: poverty, food insecurity and drought adaptation strategies

Extreme weather events caused by climate change have serious implications. Drought, a natural disaster, has been worsened by climate change, and has had major consequences on the agricultural industry. While many farmers can adapt to major droughts, small-scale farmers in developing countries struggle to do so as they lack resources and monetary means. In regions such as Latin America where large share of population depend on agriculture for livelihood and food security, climate change can be devastating for rural farmer's wellbeing, forcing them to adopt new farming practices and drought management strategies. These practices are primarily coping mechanisms allowing farmers to get through dry seasons and are not sustainable practices. As climate change continues to worsen, droughts are expected to become more frequent and more intense. In order to help rural Latin American farmers cope with poverty that is exacerbated by climate change induced droughts, local regional governments need to encourage adaptation measures that are sustainable long term.