But technology changes can bring risks too. For instance, greater use of modern irrigation technologies to save water and raise yields could cause pressures in fragile lands, such as increasing risks of flooding and soil erosion.
Anticipating changes in climate is also becoming important, as this is projected to alter the seasonal timing of rainfall and snow pack melt and lead to the higher incidence and severity of floods and droughts. Policymakers will need to adopt mitigation and adaptation measures to deal with this.