Impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity: a scoping review

Abstract Climate change has emerged as a major global challenge affecting agricultural productivity through shifts in temperature, rainfall variability, and the frequency of extreme weather events. These impacts threaten food security, reduce crop yields, and disrupt farming systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study conducts a scoping review to systematically map and synthesize recent literature on the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, relevant peer-reviewed research articles published between 2021 and 2024 were retrieved from Scopus, AGRIS, and EBSCOHost databases using comprehensive Boolean search terms. A total of 81 articles met the inclusion criteria. The thematic analysis identified seven key areas of impact: (1) decline in crop yields due to climatic stressors, (2) variations in climate effects across crops and regions, (3) reduced production efficiency and economic losses, (4) changes in cropping patterns and planting seasons, (5) vulnerability of farming systems to extreme climate events, (6) adaptation and mitigation strategies to sustain productivity, and (7) implications for food security and farmer livelihoods. The findings emphasize the need for integrated, localized adaptation strategies that combine climate-smart agriculture, technological innovation, and policy support. This review contributes to identifying knowledge gaps and supporting evidence-based decision-making to enhance agricultural resilience amid climate change.