Climate-Adaptive Farming: Strategies for Food Security and Adaptation Models Amid Rising Droughts and Population Pressures

Climate change poses an escalating threat to global food security, particularly through intensifying heat stress and drought events that compromise both crop productivity and livestock performance in mixed farming systems. This review synthesises current evidence on the mechanisms by which combined heat and drought stressors affect integrated crop–livestock systems, and critically evaluates the adaptation strategies that have been proposed or implemented across diverse agro-ecological zones. A systematic search of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted using the following academic databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature published primarily between 2000 and 2026, the review examines physiological responses of livestock to thermal stress, crop–pasture interactions under water deficit, and the synergistic vulnerabilities that emerge when multiple stressors co-occur. The paper evaluates a spectrum of adaptation pathways—including heat-tolerant breed selection, modified grazing management, agroforestry integration, supplementary irrigation, and diversified crop–forage rotations—and assesses their efficacy in reducing production losses and sustaining livelihoods. Particular attention is paid to the role of systemic integration, whereby crop residues, by-products, and shared water resources are managed collectively to enhance whole-farm resilience. The review also addresses socio-economic and policy dimensions, recognising that technical adaptation options are insufficient without enabling institutional frameworks. Evidence gaps are identified, and a forward-looking research agenda is outlined to guide future inquiry. It is concluded that no single intervention is adequate; rather, portfolios of complementary, context-specific measures—embedded within supportive policy environments—offer the most promising pathway to climate-adaptive mixed farming under heat and drought stress.