In a speech to the president of the Philippines - primarily about Filipinos love for rice and the projected impact of climate change on rice production - Senator Loren Legarda has discussed how agroforestry provides an effective solution to agricultural and environmental problems.

“With the absence of robust adaptation strategies, climate change will further imperil our food security,” says Legarda.

Like most forms of agriculture, rice production will be adversely impacted by climate change, with increased flooding in some areas, drier conditions in others and more extreme weather events.

With 2013 having been declared the National year of Rice in the Philippines, attention has been given to “ensuring more investments in agricultural research and infrastructure, improving water governance and land use policies, providing better forecasting tools and early warning systems, creating a strengthened extension system that will assist farmers to achieve economic diversification, and access to credit and crop insurance to make significant improvements in the country's food security goals.”

Agroforestry, says Legarda, can address food security while also maintaining a balanced ecosystem. It improves the quality of soil, water and air, and augments farmers’ incomes

Legarda highlighted a new exhibition at the National Museum of the Philippines on Rice, Biodiversity and Climate Change: Celebrating the National Year of Rice. The exhibition looks at the need to address biodiversity loss and climate change in relation to rice production.

Read the full story: Senator Loren Legarda: Privilege Speech on Rice, Biodiversity and Climate Change