Increasing the Resilience of the Food Systems
In Islamic States in Face of Future Food Crises
78
using low-emissionmanure spreadingmethods—to increase the retention of soil carbon stocks.
The Targeted Agricultural Modernization Schemes helps farmers to create or improve their
facilities. The National Afforestation Programprovides incentives to farmers to encourage them
to plant forests on their land. The Farm Carbon Navigator assesses farms’ adoption of
technologies to reduce GHG emissions, evaluates their performance, and sets targets for
improvement.307
The Smart Farming Initiative, a knowledge transfer program, seeks to enhance farm returns
through efficient resource management in areas such as soil fertility, energy, grassland, water
and feed. Origin Green, Ireland’s national sustainability program for the food and drink industry,
sets andmeasures farmers’ and food producers’ sustainability targets to reduce environmental
impact, including carbon footprint, water, energy, and biodiversity.308 Within the framework of
the EU's common agricultural policy (CAP), Ireland has also adopted Cross Compliance and
Green Direct Payment Cross Compliance measures. In compliance with EU regulations on the
environment, food safety, animal health and welfare, and plant health, Ireland implemented
measures to improve nitrogen use efficiency. The Compulsory Green Direct Payment gives
incentives to farmers who abide by three mandatory agricultural practices; it does this by
maintaining permanent grassland, identifying ecological focus areas, and diversifying crops to
protect soil carbon pools.309
In 2012, the first National Climate Change Adaptation Framework was adopted to tackle the
expected impacts of climate change. It identified the government departments responsible for
creating adaptation plans in key sectors. Based on the framework, a National Adaptation
Steering Committee was established in 2014 to give guidance to the various sectors in
developing adaptation plans. The sectoral plans developed include a plan for developing climate
change resilience in the agriculture and forest sectors. The plan outlines the changes that
occurred as a result of climate change, identifies vulnerability areas, and develops adaptation
measures to reduce vulnerability and build resilience. The “Adaptation Planning – Developing
Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Agriculture and Forest Sector” was developed in
consultationwith civil society. A “National Dialogue on Climate Action”was created in 2017 and
projected to run until 2019; its purpose is to create awareness and engage people and build
consensus on climate and energy policy. A Climate Change Ambassadors Program, which
stemmed from the national dialogue, was created to raise awareness of climate-related issues
awareness in schools and at the community level. 310
Adaptation: Social Safety Nets
Regarding social protection and the provision of safety nets for vulnerable groups, Ireland has a
number of initiatives that support farmers and low-income groups. The government initiatives
that support low-income groups access to food include the Healthy Food for All and Community
Food Initiatives. The Healthy Food for All initiative tackles food poverty, mainly among low-
income groups by supporting local food initiatives in schools and communities.311 The Healthy
307 “A Climate-Smart Pathway for Irish Agricultural Development | Exploring the Leadership Opportunity.” Climate-Smart
Agriculture Leadership Forum. July 2016.
308 Ibid.
309 “National Mitigation Plan 2017.” DCCAE. July 18, 201
310 “National Adaptation Framework.” DCCAE. Jan 19, 201
311 Department of Employment Affairs and Social Welfarewebsit