Abstract:

Climate change has emerged as a major constraint to sustainable development in many low- and middle-income countries, where agriculture plays a central role in livelihoods, food security, and trade performance. Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, flooding, and extreme climate events continue to reduce crop yields, degrade natural resources, and disrupt supply chains. These impacts further weaken the competitiveness of agricultural exports and exacerbate economic vulnerabilities. This review synthesises current evidence on how climate change affects agriculture and trade in developing regions and evaluates the effectiveness of key economic adaptation strategies. Particular emphasis is placed on climate-smart agricultural practices, resilient technological innovations, improved market access, integrated water and soil management, and financial instruments such as crop insurance, credit access, and early-warning systems. The review also highlights the importance of strong institutional frameworks, supportive trade policies, and regional cooperation in enhancing adaptation capacity. The findings suggest that a combination of technological adoption, economic diversification, and policy-driven interventions is essential for building climate-resilient agricultural systems and strengthening trade competitiveness across developing regions.