During the Food, Agriculture, and Water Day at COP29, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) and the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), with the support of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and the Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO), released a report presenting ten case studies on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives led by farmers across Africa.
The case studies featured in the report were selected from various regions across Africa, representing nine different countries (with two studies selected from Rwanda), highlighting innovative practices in agricultural resilience and climate change adaptation. This project, in collaboration with local communities and NGOs, sheds light on solutions that integrate traditional knowledge and scientific expertise to preserve the livelihoods of farmers.
“As a federation dedicated to representing farmers’ interests, we have seen firsthand how farmers are innovating to overcome the challenges posed by climate change. Whether it is adapting their crops to unpredictable weather patterns or finding ways to conserve precious water resources, these actions highlight a fundamental truth: farmers are not just beneficiaries of climate adaptation; they are the key drivers of change and action,”
– Stephen Muchiri, CEO, EAFF
The case studies presented were selected from 55 submissions responding to the AICCRA and EAFF’s call for examples of farmer-led adaptation. The case studies vary across regions and communities but all are based on farmer-driven actions to tackle climate risks.
The selected case studies provide insights into various climate adaptation and resilience-building practices, including:
- Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and technologies, both modern and traditional
- Integrated water management, water efficiency, and conservation approaches
- Soil health conservation and sustainable farming methods
- Collaborative partnerships between farmers, farmer organizations, government agencies, protected area authorities, research agencies, NGOs, and the private sector
“Our work goes beyond simply cataloging successful adaptations; it seeks to foster an enabling environment where science and local knowledge converge to tackle one of Africa’s most pressing challenges—climate change. This report highlights the critical role of co-development in informing and empowering local solutions, emphasizing AICCRA’s commitment to making scientific advancements accessible and practical while ensuring the inclusion of proven local knowledge,”
– Robert Zougmoré, AICCRA Director
Article from PAFO’s webiste