Farming is entering a new climate era
For decades, gardeners relied on fairly predictable growing seasons.
Today, those patterns are changing.
Heatwaves arrive earlier, droughts last longer and rainfall has become increasingly irregular. These changes are pushing farmers, researchers and policymakers to rethink one fundamental question: are we still growing the right crops for tomorrow's climate?
This topic is one of the key themes discussed during the 30th Session of the FAO Committee on Agriculture (COAG), held in Rome from 20 to 24 July 2026. Delegates are addressing climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable land and water management and agricultural innovation.
Adapting crops instead of fighting the climate
The goal is no longer simply to increase production.
It is to produce more intelligently.
That means developing crop varieties capable of tolerating higher temperatures, using water more efficiently and remaining productive under increasingly difficult conditions.
France's Ministry of Agriculture recently launched a new programme supporting innovation in legume breeding as part of the country's climate adaptation strategy.
Home gardens are changing too
Gardeners are already noticing the difference.
Some tomato varieties continue producing during heatwaves while others stop almost completely.
Lettuces bolt earlier.
Beans struggle during flowering.
Meanwhile, Mediterranean crops such as chickpeas, sweet potatoes, eggplants and certain peppers often perform better in hotter summers.
Diversifying varieties reduces the risk of losing an entire harvest to a single weather event.
Diversity is one of the best insurance policies
Growing different species and varieties improves resilience.
If one crop struggles during a heatwave, another may still perform well.
The FAO considers crop diversification one of the most effective ways to strengthen food systems against climate shocks while protecting biodiversity and food security.
Technology is helping farmers choose
Earlier this month, the FAO launched CropSuit, a digital platform combining soil, climate and landscape information to recommend crops best suited to local conditions.
Although designed for agriculture, this illustrates a broader trend: future growing decisions will increasingly rely on environmental data.
Gardeners can already benefit from weather forecasts, drought monitoring and careful observation of their own harvests.
Stronger local food systems
Choosing better-adapted crops is only part of the solution.
Every summer, thousands of kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables are lost simply because they cannot be consumed in time.
This is where Seeed helps.
The app allows neighbours and small producers to give, sell or exchange locally grown food, reducing waste while strengthening local food networks.
Climate adaptation is not only about changing what we grow.
It is also about making better use of every harvest.
Sources FAO – Committee on Agriculture (COAG) FAO – CropSuit launch FAO – Climate Change News French Ministry of Agriculture – Ecological Planning FAO–IPCC Expert Meeting on Agriculture and Food