Building the resilience of the United States’ agricultural sector to extreme floods
Agricultural producers in the United States have significant experience in managing
the risk of natural hazard-induced disasters (NHID), but the 2019 Midwestern Floods
and Hurricane Florence in 2018 highlighted the importance of increasing resilience
to extreme floods. A number of current practices already build resilience. Producers
can access science-based information on adaptation to climate and weather-related
risks, preparedness and recovery, including through the USDA Climate Hubs. Formal
networks build relationships and capabilities before a disaster, improving the effectiveness
of disaster preparedness and response. USDA conservation programmes and various soil
health initiatives help farmers to mitigate the impacts of floods on production. However,
most farm support is directed to agricultural risk management policies and disaster
assistance that help producers cope with the impacts of NHID. Integrating resilience
objectives into these programmes would send a clearer signal to producers about the
need to adapt and increase resilience. Policy makers should also engage with trusted
stakeholders – including farm organisations and extension agents – to promote the
benefits of practices that build resilience to NHID ID.
Published on June 01, 2021
In series:OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Papersview more titles