The research, published in Nature Climate Change, examined region-by-region the likely effect of different climate change scenarios on nine crops that constitute 50% of food production in sub-Saharan Africa.
The study found up to 30% of areas growing maize and bananas, and up to 60% of those producing beans could become unviable by the end of the century in moderate to extreme climate change scenarios.
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 950 million people, with more than 200 million people hungry or undernourished. Almost two thirds of the population depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. These are already being affected negatively by climate changes.
The international team outlined the best way that the risks could be addressed. Some regions will need to change the types of crop grown, while others might need to change the location of cropping.
However, according to co-author Professor Mark Howden, who is with the CSIRO and director of ANU's Climate Change Institute, some solutions such as breeding improved crops can take a minimum of 15 years to complete,
The research identified specific priorities for each region.
Recommendations include improving irrigation options and agro-climatic advisory services for farmers, breeding crops with increased resistance to climate change, switching to alternative crops with higher tolerance to heat and drought, and exploring alternative livelihood strategies, such as the introduction of livestock.