Among other considerations, projections by the International Food Policy Research Institute point to world market price increases of as much as 50 percent for cereals and other basic food commodities over the period to 2050. Markets in Africa and Asia are likely to be particularly affected as temperatures rise and natural disasters, including floods, in countries like Thailand, India and parts of Africa become more frequent, forcing traditional farming methods to change.

A research report released last month by the U.S. National Climate Assessment said: “Critical thresholds are already being exceeded. Many regions will experience declines in crop and livestock production from increased stress due to weeds, diseases, insect pests and other climate change-induced stresses. Climate disruptions to agricultural production have increased in the past and are projected to increase further.”

With the Gulf region reliant on imports from countries that are vulnerable to climate change for some 90 percent of its food consumption, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, established in 2005, is working to strengthen awareness about food safety, environmental protection and good agricultural practices through workshops for farmers and the general public.

“We do not believe we can change the way things are just by rigorous enforcement” of water conservation, said Mohamed Jalal al-Rayssi, the authority’s director of communication and community service. “We have an entire department dedicated to organizing awareness drives, targeting different segments of society.”

The control authority focuses much attention on reducing the use of water in irrigation through high-technology irrigation techniques and water metering.

“Saving water is especially important in the arid climatic conditions of the emirates, and conserving precious water resources is crucial to all sustainability efforts,” Mr. Rayssi said. “Given the fact that groundwater renewal is meager here, coupled with the ever increasing demand for water for agricultural purposes, we need to seriously think about the coming generations.”

Rising water salinity in the Gulf, as a result of decades of salt dumping by desalination plants producing freshwater for human consumption, adds to the complexity of the challenge.