Climate change and its effects on agriculture in developing nations is a highly relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to continue being an important subject in future tests. The intersection of climate change, agriculture, and economic development provides fertile ground for discussion of complex global issues – making it an ideal topic for assessing candidates’ analytical and writing skills.
Based on analysis of past IELTS exams, here is a relevant Task 2 question on this subject:
Climate change is having significant impacts on agriculture in developing countries. What are some of the main effects, and what measures can be taken to address this issue?
Let’s examine this question and look at sample essays of varying band scores to illustrate effective approaches.
Question Analysis
This question has two main tasks:
- Describe the main effects of climate change on agriculture in developing countries
- Suggest measures to address these impacts
To fully answer the question, candidates should:
- Identify 2-3 major effects of climate change on agriculture in developing nations
- Explain how these effects specifically impact developing countries
- Propose 2-3 concrete measures to mitigate or adapt to these impacts
- Provide examples and details to support main points
Now let’s look at sample essays demonstrating responses at different band levels.
Band 9 Sample Essay
Climate change is having profound effects on agricultural systems worldwide, with developing countries particularly vulnerable due to their economic reliance on farming and limited adaptive capacity. This essay will examine two critical impacts – shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures – and propose measures to build resilience in developing nations’ agricultural sectors.
One of the most significant effects of climate change on agriculture in developing countries is the disruption of traditional rainfall patterns. Many regions are experiencing more frequent droughts interspersed with periods of intense rainfall and flooding. For subsistence farmers who rely on predictable seasonal rains, these shifts can be devastating. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 95% of farmland is rainfed, erratic precipitation has led to crop failures and food insecurity for millions. Similarly, in South Asia, changing monsoon patterns have reduced rice yields in countries like India and Bangladesh.
Rising temperatures represent another major threat to agriculture in the developing world. Heat stress can damage crops, reduce yields, and create favorable conditions for pests and diseases. In tropical and subtropical regions, where many crops are already grown near their heat tolerance thresholds, even small temperature increases can have outsized impacts. Studies in Southeast Asia have shown that rice yields decline by about 10% for every 1°C increase in growing-season minimum temperature. This is particularly concerning for countries like Vietnam and Thailand, where rice cultivation is a cornerstone of both food security and the export economy.
To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is needed. One crucial measure is investing in climate-resilient crop varieties through research and development. Drought-tolerant maize developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center has already shown promise in parts of Africa, helping smallholder farmers maintain yields in dry conditions. Similar efforts to breed heat-tolerant varieties of staple crops like rice and wheat could help buffer against rising temperatures.
Climate change’s effects on global food production underscore the need for another key measure: improving water management and irrigation systems. Developing countries should prioritize infrastructure investments to capture and store rainwater, as well as more efficient irrigation technologies like drip systems. In India, for instance, the construction of small-scale water harvesting structures has helped some communities maintain agricultural productivity despite increasingly erratic rainfall.
In conclusion, while climate change poses serious threats to agriculture in developing countries, there are concrete steps that can be taken to build resilience. By focusing on adaptive measures like climate-smart crop varieties and improved water management, developing nations can work to secure their food production systems in the face of a changing climate. However, these efforts must be paired with global action to mitigate climate change itself to truly safeguard agriculture in the long term.
(Word count: 456)
Climate-resilient agriculture practices in developing countries
Band 7 Sample Essay
Climate change is having big impacts on farming in developing countries. This essay will look at two main effects and suggest some ways to deal with the problem.
One major effect of climate change on agriculture in poor countries is changes in rainfall. Many places are getting less rain overall, but when it does rain, it’s often very heavy. This is bad for farmers who depend on regular rain patterns. For example, in Africa, many farmers are seeing their crops fail because the rains don’t come when expected. This leads to food shortages and economic problems.
Another important impact is higher temperatures. As it gets hotter, some crops can’t grow as well. Heat can damage plants and make it easier for pests and diseases to spread. In countries like India, studies have shown that rice doesn’t produce as much grain when nighttime temperatures are higher. This is a big problem because rice is a staple food for many people.
To address these issues, there are several things that can be done. One important step is to develop new types of crops that can handle drought and heat better. Scientists are working on creating varieties of corn, wheat, and rice that can grow with less water and in hotter conditions. These new crops could help farmers in developing countries keep producing food even as the climate changes.
How climate change is affecting agriculture in developing nations highlights the need for better water management. Countries should invest in systems to collect and store rainwater, and in more efficient ways of watering crops. Drip irrigation, which delivers water directly to plant roots, can help farmers use less water. Governments could provide support to help farmers adopt these technologies.
In conclusion, climate change is causing serious problems for agriculture in developing countries, mainly through changes in rainfall and higher temperatures. By creating more resilient crops and improving water use, these countries can try to protect their food production. However, the whole world needs to work on reducing climate change to fully solve the problem.
(Word count: 345)
Band 6 Sample Essay
Climate change is causing many problems for farming in poor countries. In this essay I will talk about some effects and ways to fix them.
First, climate change is making the weather very different. Sometimes there is not enough rain, and other times there is too much rain. This is very bad for farmers. They don’t know when to plant their crops. In Africa, many farmers are having trouble because the rain doesn’t come at the right time. This means they can’t grow enough food.
Another problem is that it is getting hotter. When it is too hot, plants don’t grow well. Also, more insects come and eat the plants. In India, people are finding that rice doesn’t grow as well when it is very hot at night. This is a big problem because many people eat rice every day.
To fix these problems, we need to do several things. One idea is to make new types of plants that can grow with less water and in hot weather. Scientists are trying to make better corn and rice that can handle the new weather. This could help farmers grow more food.
Impact of climate change on global agricultural production shows we also need to use water better. Countries should build ways to save rain water. They should also teach farmers how to water their plants using less water. This can help when there isn’t much rain.
In conclusion, climate change is making it hard for farmers in poor countries to grow food. The weather is changing and it’s getting hotter. We can try to fix this by making better plants and using water more carefully. But everyone in the world needs to help stop climate change to really solve the problem.
(Word count: 287)
Improved water management techniques in agriculture for developing countries
Analysis of Sample Essays
Band 9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence across all marking criteria:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended and supported ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately.
- Lexical Resource: Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
Key strengths:
- Clearly outlines two main effects (rainfall changes and rising temperatures) with specific examples
- Proposes concrete measures (climate-resilient crops and water management) with details
- Uses sophisticated vocabulary (e.g., “adaptive capacity,” “heat tolerance thresholds”)
- Employs a variety of complex sentence structures
- Maintains a formal, academic tone throughout
Band 7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good control of the language, addressing the task effectively:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are organized logically. Uses a range of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a variety of complex structures, though with some errors.
Key points:
- Clearly presents two main effects and suggests solutions
- Uses some less common vocabulary (e.g., “drip irrigation”)
- Generally well-organized, though transitions could be smoother
- Some complex sentences, but less variety than the Band 9 essay
Band 6 Essay
This essay addresses the task, but with some shortcomings:
- Task Response: Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally arranged coherently, but with limited use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Uses an adequate range of vocabulary, but with some inaccuracy in word choice and spelling.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but with frequent grammatical errors.
Key observations:
- Covers main points but lacks depth and specific examples
- Simple vocabulary with some repetition
- Basic organizational structure
- Mostly simple sentences with some errors
Key Vocabulary
Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
Erratic (adjective) /ɪˈrætɪk/ – Not consistent or regular; unpredictable
Subsistence farming (noun phrase) /səbˈsɪstəns ˈfɑːmɪŋ/ – Farming that provides for the basic needs of the farmer without surplus for trade
Heat stress (noun phrase) /hiːt stres/ – Physiological strain on an organism due to excessively high temperatures
Adaptive capacity (noun phrase) /əˈdæptɪv kəˈpæsəti/ – The ability of a system to adjust to potential damage or take advantage of opportunities
Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – The action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something
Food security (noun phrase) /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/ – The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food
Drought-tolerant (adjective) /draʊt ˈtɒlərənt/ – Able to withstand long periods without water
Water harvesting (noun phrase) /ˈwɔːtə ˈhɑːvɪstɪŋ/ – The collection and storage of rainwater for reuse
Climate-smart (adjective) /ˈklaɪmət smɑːt/ – Referring to agricultural practices that sustainably increase productivity while adapting to climate change
Conclusion
Climate change’s impact on agriculture in developing countries is a complex topic that allows IELTS candidates to demonstrate their analytical and writing skills. The sample essays provided illustrate how to effectively address this type of question at different band levels.
To prepare for similar questions, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of technology in adapting agriculture to climate change
- The economic impacts of climate-related crop failures in developing nations
- International cooperation in addressing climate change effects on global food security
Remember to focus on clearly addressing all parts of the question, organizing your ideas logically, using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and providing specific examples to support your points.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on the topic provided in this article. Share your essay in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners. This active practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your IELTS Writing skills.