Climate-Smart Horticulture: Emerging Strategies for Sustainable Fruit and Vegetable Production

Abstract

The convergence of anthropogenic climate change and global food security demands represents one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Horticulture—encompassing fruit and vegetable production—is uniquely vulnerable to climatic perturbations due to the biological sensitivity of horticultural crops to temperature extremes, irregular precipitation, and shifting pest dynamics. Simultaneously, horticultural systems offer considerable potential for adaptation and mitigation through diversified, resource-efficient production models. This narrative review synthesises emerging evidence on climate-smart strategies for sustainable fruit and vegetable production, drawing on peer-reviewed literature and authoritative international reports published predominantly between 2000 and 2026. Literature searches were conducted using multiple academic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, AGRIS (the agricultural science and technology information database maintained by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), CAB Abstracts, and the CGIAR research portal. The review examines the multidimensional impacts of climate change on horticultural systems and evaluates a suite of responses spanning crop genetic improvement, precision irrigation, soil carbon management, protected agriculture, agroforestry, digital technologies, and policy frameworks. Evidence indicates that no single strategy is sufficient; rather, transformative change requires integrated, context-specific combinations of adaptation and mitigation interventions supported by enabling policy environments. The review identifies key knowledge gaps and advocates for greater investment in transdisciplinary research, smallholder inclusion, and digital innovation to accelerate the transition to climate-smart horticulture globally.