Countries at the ongoing United Nations (UN) climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany, adopted a draft agreement on agriculture that is expected to lead to actual implementation of policies to address both climate change and food security.

Negotiators agreed to tackle immediate climate change commitments that were not covered under the Paris Agreement. This made crucial strides in tackling issues at the intersection of agriculture and climate change even as the United States’ imminent departure from the Paris Agreement loomed over these talks.

According to international news wires monitored in Lusaka, ministers are expected to ratify the agreement today, marking a milestone for the COP23 climate talks.

Experts say the decision came at a critical time, with global hunger growing again after more than a decade of decline. Exacerbating the situation are rising temperatures that are having a negative impact on smallholder farmers in developing countries such as Zambia.

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The new draft decision means that scientific and technical talks about agriculture can translate into action, and the UN system can provide more strategic support to countries that need it.

The move to introduce new strategies to address adaptation and mitigation of climate change within the agricultural sector started more than 5 years ago, says Sara Lickel, the right to food advocacy officer with Caritas France.

“Moving to implementation means putting money on the table and having funds for adaptation,” Lickel said.

Meanwhile heads of state and ministers are expected to share their vision of what the world must do to mitigate climate change, adapt to its impacts and maintain an agreement between high emitting and highly vulnerable countries.

Also read: Time for farmers to act on climate change