CSA to Foster Food Production WFO General Assembly 2016 Workshop on “Farmers as agents of Solutions to the Climate Change Achuo Enow GACSA Facilitation Unit

Food Security Threat With the current world population of about 7 billion, 800 million people are malnourished and the trend is projected to get worse by Huge pressure on natural resources to produce food for the growing population with changing consumption habits and patterns. Inefficiency of current production systems (substantial yield gaps between actual yields, and the technically feasible maximum yields), particularly for small scale farmers in developing countries. Declining productivity of current agricultural systems, exacerbated by Climate Change and land degradation. High vulnerability of production systems, especially small-scale farmers, and particularly women and youth. Implications on economic growth and development – a vicious cycle

Call to Action In the present situation, ensuring food security requires producing more food but this has to be done on increasingly decreasing amounts of arable land with declining productivity Action would require :  adapting production approaches to the changing environment (including climate)  reducing the detrimental effects of current practices and approaches So we have to Produce More with Less – a smarter approach to food production  More food on less land  More food with less fertilizers and pesticides  More food with less water  Transformation from Business as usual to Business Unusual

The Concept of “Smart” Knowledge based:  All kinds of knowledge systems, including IKS Innovative thinking:  Developing more efficient systems  Improving efficiency of existing systems  Developing new technologies and strategies  Improving operational frameworks Fast in learning:  Learning by doing (own experiences)  Learning by seeing (see what others are doing)  Learning by hearing (listening to the stories of others) Looking at the bigger picture:  Value chain integrated approach

Climate-Smart Agriculture CSA is an approach to help guide actions to transform and reorient agricultural systems to effectively and sustainably support development and food security under a changing climate  Identifying best suited production systems and enabling institutions  Looking at the CC challenges in a location – specific context  Maintain and enhance the capacity of agriculture to support food security in a sustainable way. Concept developed on three major pillars:  Sustainably increasing food security by increasing agricultural productivity and incomes;  Building resilience and adapting to climate change  Developing opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to expected trends

GACSA’s Approach GACSA is voluntary coalition of entities committed to incorporating climate-smart approaches at all scales and types of agricultural systems across all climates and approaches to farming including crop, livestock, fishery and forestry activities GACSA Vision: Improve food security, nutrition and resilience in the face of climate change GACSA Mission: Help adjust agricultural, forestry and fisheries practices, food systems and social policies to the challenges of climate change, and promote the efficient use of natural resources GACSA Values:  Diversity  Inclusiveness  Transparency

GACSA’s Approach Delivery through Action Groups (currently 3) Knowledge AG: focuses on increasing and promoting knowledge, research, and development into technologies, practices, and policy approaches for CSA Enabling Environment Action Group: is promoting the integration of CSA into policy, strategies, and planning at regional, national, and local levels and across landscapes. Investment Action Group: is improving the effectiveness of public and private investments that support the three pillars of CSA

GACSA’s First Products Country Case Studies (EEAG) Understanding the perceptions of CSA in different countries Establish the links (or lack thereof) between policy frameworks and the practice of CSA Identify gaps in knowledge and other enabling parameters for CSA Identify best practices as well as challenges from which lessons can be learned. Provide a basis for developing frameworks for scaling up CSA, bearing in mind context specificity in the various constituencies.

GACSA’s First Products KAG Practice Briefs: 1.INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT : Combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers + other soil amendments and proper agronomic management practices.  Knowledge on mineral fertilizer management – formulation, rates, timing  Informed (evidence-based) fertilizer application rates – soil fertility status  Improved yield with less fertilizer inputs  Better fertilizer use efficiency (reduced GHG emissions)  Organic inputs make bigger impact in degraded soils  Carbon sequestration through organic incorporation in the soil  Better soil nutrient retention through improved soil structure.

GACSA’s First Products KAG Practice Briefs: 2.SITE-SPECIFIC NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT : Applying the right inputs (fertilizer, pesticide, etc.) at the right place, right time and right dose (4R principle).  Knowledge-based approach – soil type & status; crop type & growth stage  Improved fertilizer use efficiency – reduced wasteful applications  Improved soil conservation – not too much and not too less  Reduced pollution – wash off or leaching to surface and ground water  Reduced GHG emissions – N volatilization, especially N 2 O  Economic benefit to farmers – the fertilizer price factor especially in Developing countries

GACSA’s First Products KAG Practice Briefs: 3.COFFEE – BANANA INTERCROPPING (CBI)  Based on indigenous knowledge.  Increases farmer incomes, improves resilience to climatic impacts – spreading the risk through diversification.  Higher carbon sequestration compared to mono-cropping systems.  Beneficial to rural women and for household nutrition.  Generates 50% more revenue than either coffee or banana monocrop  Other agronomic benefits, e.g. weed control, soil moisture conservation, regulation of microclimate, etc.  Transformational changes are needed in the attitude towards CBI, to support scaling up of the practice.

GACSA’s First Products KAG Practice Briefs: 4.A GENDER-RESPONSIVE APPROACH TO CSA Adoption of a gender-responsive approach in an effort to close the gender gap when developing site-specific CSA practices. A framework for recognizing and adequately addressing the particular needs, priorities, and realities of men and women when designing and applying CSA, to ensure equitable benefits.  Gender-responsive technologies applicable under a CSA approach  Regular access to, and use of weather data, climate information services, and price information  Improved Livelihood, income, nutrition, wellbeing, social status or empowerment

GACSA into the Future Scaling up, informed by lessons learned so far Alignment with major global agendas – e.g. Agenda 2030; Paris Agreement Partnerships for action – seeking practical solutions Integration across regions and across sectors Strengthen inclusiveness – Leave no one behind Empowering the farmer – Agricultural development WITH the farmer, not FOR the farmer.

How do we get there? Collective effort No one can do it alone

What is the Added value? Gain Knowledge Learn from one another Find Solutions Develop Initiatives Value Different Perspectives Encourage Debate Build Partnerships Create synergies Inspire Action

Food for thought