The long-term weather patterns affecting agricultural regions.
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Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a region, typically averaged over 30 years or more, encompassing temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and seasonal variability. It differs from weather, which describes short-term atmospheric conditions. Climate determines which crops can be grown where, the length of growing seasons, irrigation needs, and the risk of drought, frost, or flooding. The Köppen classification groups climates into tropical, arid, temperate, continental, and polar types, each supporting distinct agricultural systems. Agriculture both depends on and influences climate: farming contributes roughly 20–25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions through methane, nitrous oxide, and land-use change. Climate change is altering growing zones, shifting planting dates, intensifying extreme events, and threatening food security in vulnerable regions. Adaptation strategies include drought-tolerant varieties, changed cropping calendars, water harvesting, and diversified farming systems. Climate-smart agriculture, promoted by the FAO and World Bank, integrates mitigation and adaptation goals.
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