Climate change is expected to lower the global potential for agricultural production by more than 15 percent by the 2080s, the World Bank said on Tuesday.

The Little Green Data Book 2008, the ninth edition of a yearly publication prepared by the World Bank, was launched here with a focus on the impacts of climate change on agriculture and rural development.

It showed that, with a 20 percent loss in agricultural productivity, developing countries are to bear the brunt of the adverse effects of climate change, if compared to the 6 percent drop suffered by their industrialized partners.

At the heart of the problem are worldwide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: the world today produces 27.7 percent more CO2 than in 1990, it said.

As the planet warms up, climate variability and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts become more likely, with negative impacts on agricultural productivity.

The negative effect of warming is particularly strong in countries close to the equator, where average temperatures are already above the optimum for most crop production.

The negative effects of increasing weather variability and extreme events are accentuated in low income countries, where the capacity to adapt is limited.

The situation is particularly critical in Sub-Saharan Africa, where adaptation capacity in agriculture is minimal owing to the lack of infrastructure, assets and incomes.

In poor countries, the impacts of falling agricultural productivity can go beyond the negative effect on local economies and the environment.

As agriculture delivers lower yields, food prices will go up and levels of malnutrition and related human diseases will increase. Impacts will be most felt in South East Asia and Sub- Saharan Africa.

"Dealing with climate change impacts is possible and win-win opportunities can be found," said Warren Evans, director of environment of World Bank, citing examples such as planting more trees to counter attacks by extreme weather patterns, prevent soil erosion and improve water storage.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)