Farming for the future: How farmers around the world are adapting to a changing climate: Agroecology

Agroecology isn’t a new trend, it’s a way of farming that puts people and the planet first.

At its core, it’s about producing food sustainably, protecting the environment, and ensuring that farmers and communities can thrive in the face of climate change. It’s rooted in care for the land.

As the global climate crisis deepens, agroecology offers a lifeline for farmers, particularly those in vulnerable regions. One such place is Guatemala, where the impact of climate change is increasingly devastating local communities.

Adapting to a changing climate in Guatemala

Amelia, a 24-year-old farmer from the Alta Verapaz region in Guatemala, lives with her husband and two young children. Amelia grows a variety of crops: bananas, cassava and peppers, to provide her family with a balanced diet and protect them from malnutrition.

But in recent years, unpredictable weather patterns, including prolonged heatwaves and erratic rainfall, have devastated her harvests, leaving her family relying on rice and tortillas as their main diet.

‘My first priority is to feed my family. I worry about what my children will eat,’ Amelia explained.

The river that runs through Amelia’s farm has also been affected.

‘As a child, I remember the river was deeper and bigger, there were crabs, shrimp and big fishes. I learned to swim here,’ Amelia recalled. ‘The river is getting lower and most of the water sources are just dust. The river used to reach to the waist, now it is very shallow at ankle height.’

As the river runs dry and water becomes scarce, the vital crops that Amelia depends on wither and die before her eyes.

However, there is hope. With support from Congcoop, a local organisation partnered with international charity Christian Aid, Amelia and other farmers in her community are being trained in agroecology. By learning sustainable farming techniques that respect both the land and their cultural heritage, Amelia is fighting back against the climate crisis.

What agroecology can teach us

Agroecology promotes farming methods that protect the environment, conserve water and use organic practices to keep the soil healthy. These methods are especially valuable in the face of the climate crisis, as they help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather patterns.

In Guatemala, agroecology aligns with Indigenous Mayan values, which have long emphasised harmony with nature. Communities are being supported to return to traditional farming practices that conserve their land, culture and livelihood. Farmers are learning how to grow native seeds better suited to the changing climate, including corn, beans and medicinal herbs. They’re also building rainwater collection systems and making organic fertilisers to help their crops thrive, even in challenging conditions.

By embracing agroecology, farmers can improve their harvests, protect the land and preserve traditional knowledge for future generations.

How you can take action

While the challenges in Guatemala are severe, Christian Aid and its partners are helping farmers adapt to the climate crisis through agroecology, providing them with the tools to thrive.

You can stand in solidarity with farmers like Amelia by supporting Christian Aid’s work in Guatemala and other communities around the world. Your support can help bring sustainable farming practices to those who need them most.

This Christian Aid Week, people are coming together to stand with farmers like Amelia—and to take action where they are, too.

To find out how you can take part, visit caweek.org.

this is a collaborative post.