Improving food security requires development of farmer-preferred varieties that are more nutritious and adapted to specific agro-ecologies and changing climatic conditions. Challinor et al. report that the time from initiating breeding for a trait to adoption of the resulting variety is 18 years, broadly agreeing with other findings that an average age of varieties in use in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is 20 years2 — too long compared to the time frame in which climate models predict varietal characteristics will need to change.
Barnett, J; Tschakert, P; Head, L; Adger, WN
A science of loss
Nature Climate Change