Adaptation measures for agriculture

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A natural hazard needs not to become a disaster and this can be avoided with the creation of instruments and institutional framework to ensure the implementation of them.

4.1.1 Adaptation measures for agriculture

In the agricultural area of proposed adaptation measures are divided into three types:

structural measures, nonstructural measures, and agronomic measures. (MARN, 2007) 4.1.1.1 Structural measures

Such measures are literally referred to the execution of civil works such as construction of infrastructure to protect the population or the land. Among the main structural measures that can help reduce the vulnerability of the country we have (MARN, 2007):

a. Construction of canals and drains in flood prone areas.

b. Construction of huts for retaining the swollen rivers and the ocean.

c. Construction of structures to protect against flooding in the coastal zone and the upper basin rivers.

d. Design of structures for the implementation of irrigation and drainage districts.

4.1.1.2 Non Structural measures

Non-structural measures are related to the implementation of interventions aimed to reduce the problems of the high vulnerability of the area but do not require the implementation of civil works. Among these are:

a. State and citizen efforts for proper land use and management of major river basins and coastal areas vulnerable to flooding.

b. Joint planning of local organizations and state governments. Reforestation of watersheds and other areas through technical criteria in relation to biophysical and agro-climatic conditions of the region.

c. Implementation of Satellite Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

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d. Programs to increase the planting area of corn, orderly and planned, with the goal of doubling production gradually, including credit and insurance to support all those small and medium farmers before any event or crisis that may arise and affect their crops.

e. Maximization of land use currently engaged in basic grains through investment in technology and efficient technical assistance under public-private mechanisms (competitive with defined performance targets Example: 80qq/Mz.)

4.1.1.3 Agronomic Measures

Agronomic measures are related to the set of practices necessary to develop crops and that can be adapted to climate behavior.

Changes in land use such as deforestation or increasing of desertification have caused changes in the climate exposed nationally. The humidity level in the soil is a defining key to provide more accurate forecasting of rainfall anomalies. The changes experienced in climate behavior related to misuse of land may be more significant than those produced by global warming.

That is why in the case of El Salvador's proposal to reforest corresponds to a situation where everyone wins because:

 CO2 is captured.

 It encourages more moisture in the soil and possibly more rain

 Recover the country's forests

 Protect the river basins

 It protects the water table of the country, ensuring the proper supply of water.

It is essential to consider as a measure of adaptation the implementation of schemes of territorial reorganization, with this it can better control use of land and reduce the

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vulnerability of populations exposed to hydrological and meteorological phenomena arising from climate change.

Another aspect of vital importance to reduce the vulnerability of agricultural systems, is taking measures to make the right decisions and consider preventive actions, some of these measures are:

a. Pest control through comprehensive mechanisms to obtain optimal performance treatments without polluting the environment and soil.

b. Integral land management in post-harvest seasons.

c. Use of plant varieties resistant to drought and salinity.

d. Changes in planting dates, implementation of mechanical water systems and change in land use.

e. Diversification of crops, harvests oriented to reduce the food risks.

f. Implement training and assistance programs, aimed to achieve an agriculture more efficient and technical.

g. Modification of soil preparation techniques.

h. Reduce soil erosion, especially on hillsides.

i. Increased vegetation cover in El Salvador‟s soil. .

j. Grant autonomy and budgetary reinforcement to the National Research Territorial Service(SNET), in order to facilitate gradual adaptation measures, and for the protection of lives and property from sudden and drastic changes in weather conditions.

k. Reactivation of the National Center for Agricultural Technology (CENTA)

l. Establish government programs that are responsible for monitoring Food security in El Salvador.

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m. Promote agricultural investment, infrastructure and services.

n. Promote the implementation of a statewide program of Insurance and Reinsurance of crops.

o. Promote scientific research.

p. Establishment of economic measures to encourage and protect the production of basic grains, as well as economic practices aimed to reduce GHG emissions and vulnerability to climatic events in El Salvador.

q. Promoting sustainable agriculture

r. Sustained in the ecology and the preservation of biodiversity and resources natural.

s. Create laws and institutions that promote Food Security and Sufficiency as keystones for the Salvadoran Government.

Table 14 Comparative Table of Adaptation Measures and Vulnerability reduction

MEASURE ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE

-There is vacant land that can be reused (343 thousand hectares.

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public or private mechanisms.

Government Program of Price coverage for Corn in a bag to wholesalers, that would ensure supply so that it can be traded with wholesalers

-Allows fixing prices before sudden increases.

-Allows sending a sign to the market that supply is being reassured.

Continuity of the plan to deliver improved seed

-Possibility to find alternatives for the most vulnerable population

-Deviation of the corn demand with some impact in price.

None Found

State program promotion tour search for supply opportunities abroad (promoting planting by contract, identification of direct business with producers, purchase

-Strengthtening of net value of basic grains

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package and its application

In this chapter, we examined how climate change from natural disturbances may increase the vulnerability of food accessible to poor families Salvadoran. While it is true that El Salvador ranks first in Central America in matters of corn performance, it is necessary to implement structural changes that are associated with the phenomenon of security Food in El Salvador, such as better income distribution, to ensure greater coverage of the basic basket of the population living in rural areas, which are most affected.

As well, a change in the productive structure of the economy for the agricultural sector is no longer displayed as a sterile area and has the tools needed to develop crops, with more organized production processes and modern technology, which would ensure achieving greater productivity and ability to cover the land cultivated by these grains.