CLIMATE-RESILIENT AND

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND AGRICULTURE

OR ldquoCLIMATE-SMARTrdquo AGRICULTURE

Information package for government

authorities

Introduction to the information package

The future of humankind and the planet relies on human activities becoming more

efficient the food chain being no exception This online information package was

written with the idea of providing an overview of the challenges that the agriculture

sectormdashand to a certain extent the food production chainmdashfaces to feed the world

while becoming more efficient It also explores ways to address these challenges

Through simplified concepts and relevant resources and examples we explore the

impacts of global change on agriculture the impacts of agriculture on ecosystems

and possible technical and policy considerations that can help building food security

under current and future challenges

The technical and policy considerations explored are meant to contribute towards

climate-resilient and environmentally sound or ldquoclimate-smartrdquo agriculturemdash

agriculture that increases productivity enhances resilience to global change stops

ecosystem services deterioration and produces economic and social benefits

The information presented here comes from findings experience and ideas from all

over the world as we believe there are already elements to catalyse change We

also believe this change has to come largely from local communities for which

reason wherever possible we provide examples at local levels

See how to use the information package

Introduction to the information package

The future of humankind and the planet relies on human activities becoming more

efficient the food chain being no exception This online information package was

written with the idea of providing an overview of the challenges that the agriculture

sectormdashand to a certain extent the food production chainmdashfaces to feed the world

while becoming more efficient It also explores ways to address these challenges

Through simplified concepts and relevant resources and examples we explore the

impacts of global change on agriculture the impacts of agriculture on ecosystems

and possible technical and policy considerations that can help building food security

under current and future challenges

The technical and policy considerations explored are meant to contribute towards

climate-resilient and environmentally sound or ldquoclimate-smartrdquo agriculturemdash

agriculture that increases productivity enhances resilience to global change stops

ecosystem services deterioration and produces economic and social benefits

The information presented here comes from findings experience and ideas from all

over the world as we believe there are already elements to catalyse change We

also believe this change has to come largely from local communities for which

reason wherever possible we provide examples at local levels

See how to use the information package

PART I

AGRICULTURE FOOD SECURITY AND ECOSYSTEMS CURRENT

AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

PART II

ADDRESSING CHALLENGES

PACKAGE CONTENT

MODULE 6

C-RESAPCLIMATE-SMART

AGRICULTURE

SUPPORTING TOOLS AND POLICIES

Module objectives and structure

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Objectives

This module looks at areas that authorities need to consider from a policy perspective in order

to promote climate-resilient and environmentally sound agriculture or smart agriculture both at

national and subnational levels The module builds on achievements of different areas of

agricultural policies and consider that smart agriculture can only be developed when looked at

from a multidisciplinary perspective

Structure

The module opens with an introduction on the need to use cost-effective solutions for many

challenges Then it divides in four units starting with the roles of different sectors and the

importance of their involvement in planning and implementing climate-smart agriculture The

next two units focus on direct support to farmers first their need to access key resources and

then policy considerations for enhancing field capacity The last unit covers macro-level policy

considerations on investment incentives and legal frameworks The module ends up with

reflections on action planning Clicking on illustrations will take you to linked to resources

Caveat

As with technology policies have to be looked at in the specific contexts examples presented

here are to show progress in different areas towards a framework for climate-smart agriculture

Supporting climate-smart agriculture

bull Challenges and risks for agriculture are occurring faster and with larger impacts

than ever

bull Food security and smart agriculture will need more support than just

technological change

Farmers have adapted over centuries but new environmental changes and accompanied risks

are too fast and larger than before

In order to better adapt to multiple challenges technological change is not enough climate-

smart agriculture and food security will depend on the support that farmers herders

pastoralists fisher folks and communities get to produce preserve and distribute good quality

and safe food Strong support should also result in economic savings and in formulas to tackle

many problems with fewer resources in general more cost-effective answers This support

includes

bull An enabling policy and regulatory environment

bull Full participation and coordination of different sectors and actors in decisions and actions

bull Empowerment of different actors to enhance their role towards a more effective and

resource-saving food chain while dealing with risks

bull Faster and more effective transfer of information and research to and from the field

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

The roles of different actors and

benefits of their participation in

decision making processes and

actions

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Using a participatory approach

Planning for

bull Different actors and sectors need to participate in planning for improved

agriculture in particular at local level

In order to be successful in planning for climate-smart agriculture

different sectors and actors need to be involved in particular at

local level where actions are needed

Those who ultimately carry out actions need to be convinced they

are sound and in accordance with the reality of the situation For

this reason involving them effectively throughout the decision and

action taking is of primary importance

A wide range of methodologies for involving different actors in

decision making have been experimented over the years In

general they require inclusion of all affected groups equality

transparency sharing of responsibilities empowerment and

cooperation

Participation of different actors can strengthen the capacity of local

authorities to implement sound strategies and plans

Examples of participatory

approaches in FAOrsquos web tool

Community based adaptation to

climate change

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Supporting climate-smart agriculture

bull Challenges and risks for agriculture are occurring faster and with larger impacts

than ever

bull Food security and smart agriculture will need more support than just

technological change

Farmers have adapted over centuries but new environmental changes and accompanied risks

are too fast and larger than before

In order to better adapt to multiple challenges technological change is not enough climate-

smart agriculture and food security will depend on the support that farmers herders

pastoralists fisher folks and communities get to produce preserve and distribute good quality

and safe food Strong support should also result in economic savings and in formulas to tackle

many problems with fewer resources in general more cost-effective answers This support

includes

bull An enabling policy and regulatory environment

bull Full participation and coordination of different sectors and actors in decisions and actions

bull Empowerment of different actors to enhance their role towards a more effective and

resource-saving food chain while dealing with risks

bull Faster and more effective transfer of information and research to and from the field

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

The roles of different actors and

benefits of their participation in

decision making processes and

actions

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Using a participatory approach

Planning for

bull Different actors and sectors need to participate in planning for improved

agriculture in particular at local level

In order to be successful in planning for climate-smart agriculture

different sectors and actors need to be involved in particular at

local level where actions are needed

Those who ultimately carry out actions need to be convinced they

are sound and in accordance with the reality of the situation For

this reason involving them effectively throughout the decision and

action taking is of primary importance

A wide range of methodologies for involving different actors in

decision making have been experimented over the years In

general they require inclusion of all affected groups equality

transparency sharing of responsibilities empowerment and

cooperation

Participation of different actors can strengthen the capacity of local

authorities to implement sound strategies and plans

Examples of participatory

approaches in FAOrsquos web tool

Community based adaptation to

climate change

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

The roles of different actors and

benefits of their participation in

decision making processes and

actions

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Using a participatory approach

Planning for

bull Different actors and sectors need to participate in planning for improved

agriculture in particular at local level

In order to be successful in planning for climate-smart agriculture

different sectors and actors need to be involved in particular at

local level where actions are needed

Those who ultimately carry out actions need to be convinced they

are sound and in accordance with the reality of the situation For

this reason involving them effectively throughout the decision and

action taking is of primary importance

A wide range of methodologies for involving different actors in

decision making have been experimented over the years In

general they require inclusion of all affected groups equality

transparency sharing of responsibilities empowerment and

cooperation

Participation of different actors can strengthen the capacity of local

authorities to implement sound strategies and plans

Examples of participatory

approaches in FAOrsquos web tool

Community based adaptation to

climate change

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Using a participatory approach

Planning for

bull Different actors and sectors need to participate in planning for improved

agriculture in particular at local level

In order to be successful in planning for climate-smart agriculture

different sectors and actors need to be involved in particular at

local level where actions are needed

Those who ultimately carry out actions need to be convinced they

are sound and in accordance with the reality of the situation For

this reason involving them effectively throughout the decision and

action taking is of primary importance

A wide range of methodologies for involving different actors in

decision making have been experimented over the years In

general they require inclusion of all affected groups equality

transparency sharing of responsibilities empowerment and

cooperation

Participation of different actors can strengthen the capacity of local

authorities to implement sound strategies and plans

Examples of participatory

approaches in FAOrsquos web tool

Community based adaptation to

climate change

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Using a participatory approach

Examples

Building on experience from

different institutions

Several institutions on different

continents have documented their

work on participatory approaches

(PA) These PA can be tailored for

climate-smart agriculture To

mention a few

bull A Handbook for Trainers on

Participatory Local Development

bull Participatory Processes Towards

Co-Management of Natural

Resources in Pastoral Areas of

the Middle East

bull RCPLA network- Resources

Centres for Participatory

Learning and Action

Resource Centers for

Participatory Learning and

Action (RCPLA) Network

A publication on reflections on

participatory approaches from

the International Institute on

Sustainable Development (iisd)

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Role of government authorities

bull The role of authorities to provide direction to solve multiple challenges is

fundamental for adapting agriculture to climate change and respond to society

needs

Authorities are fundamental in supporting the development of farmers

and rural communities Their role as providers of direction and

administrators of resources is essential to tackle multiple challenges for

different sectors

Government authorities who fully understand the problems needs and

possible ways forward in their communities will be the champions of

change

Within an era of communication and information dissemination

authorities will also have the fundamental role of making communities to

get and understand information and its implication for their development

Local authorities more than ever will be important catalysers of a

climate-smart agriculture In addition strengthened coordination among

agencies with different mandates will facilitate information sharing

planning and taking actions in a cost-effective way

World Resources Report

2010-2011 a new

publication for decision

makers

Source World Resources

Institute

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Farmers

bull Involving farmers in planning and taking actions is fundamental for increasing the

resilience of agriculture and increase efficiency

bull This entails empowering them through different actions at different levels

Farmers will play a fundamental role in pursuing climate-resilient and

environmentally sound agriculture given the diversity of challenges

that agriculture could experience under specific circumstances

Involving farmers in planning and practising climate-smart agriculture

should be a priority This entails

bull Providing training so they can recognise risks and address them

bull Involving them in preparing and implementing action plans

bull Involving them in setting up and implementing risk reduction

strategies and emergency response programmes

bull Supporting their dialogue with researchers field technicians and

the private sector to exchange technologies and empower them

to disseminate their own innovations

bull Helping them to identify needs for a climate-smart agriculture

Farmers building a levee to

control the tidal flows in the

marshlands and improve the

survival of their crops in Rwanda

Photo FAO G Napolitano

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Farmers

Examples

Information and technology to

empower farmers to make

decisions

Farmers normally take decisions

to deal with climate and market

variability They choose farming

systems crop varieties and

methods according to their local

circumstances

Given sufficient information about

climate change threats

environmental economic and

political challenges well‐informed

farmers will be capable of making

appropriate choices for a smarter

agriculture

Efforts to inform farmers of

climate change and

adaptation options in

Benin

Source Joto Afrika Issue 1

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Women

bull Women constitute 20ndash50 of the agricultural labour force in developing

countries If they had equal access to resources as men the number of hungry

people in the world could be reduced by 12ndash17

Women comprise about 43 of the agricultural labour force in

developing countries (from 20 in Latin America to 50 in eastern

Asia and sub-Saharan Africa) Still in general they have less access

than men to productive resources and opportunities

If women had the same access to resources as men they could

increase yields on their farms by 20ndash30 contributing to raise total

agricultural output in developing countries by 25ndash4 and reducing

the number of hungry people in the world by 12ndash17 To close the

gap areas for intervention include

bull Eliminating barriers of women access to agricultural resources

education extension financial services and labour markets

bull Investing in labour-saving and high productivity technologies

bull Facilitating their participation in flexible efficient and fair rural

labour markets See morehellip

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

The state of food and

agriculture 2010ndash2011 Women

in agriculture FAO

Women

Examples

Female farmers at the forefront of agriculture

in China

In China as in many other countries men often

migrate to cities to look for jobs while women

remain in rural areas Over the last decades

women have become an important part of the

work force in many agricultural areas

The project Enhanced Strategies for Climate-

Resilient and Environmentally Sound Agricultural

Production (C-RESAP) in the Yellow River Basin

highlighted that female farmer population is

increasing in Henan Ningxia Shaanxi and

Shandong

Education and training programmes are now

also being addressed towards women in rural

areas in order to improve their capacityFemale farmers in their fields in Shandong China

Photo C-RESAP project

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Research and extension services

bull The involvement of researchers in climate-smart agriculture will be important for

faster field oriented innovation

The complexity of challenges that agriculture is facing requires

researchers to come up with technologies in a faster and more

focused way

Bringing researchers and extension services closer to farmers field

and policy makers will be an important way to foster field oriented

innovation

The participation of researchers and extension services in decision

making and effective feedback mechanisms will be fundamental to

facilitate the faster technological change that is needed

Extension services in particular can facilitate the discussion of

advantages and disadvantages of technologies from the perspective

of farmers as well as recognise the needs of farmers in the specific

agro-ecosystems where they work

Animal diseases

research in Tanzania

Photo FAOG Bizzarri

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Research involvement and coordination

Examples

Efforts of the European Union to

coordinate research

The EU Standing Committee on

Agricultural Research (SCAR) started a

foresight process in 2006 as ministers

felt that better coordination of research

was essential to enable Europe to

successfully face the profound changes

that lie ahead for the agricultural sector

The foresight process aims to identify

scenarios for European agriculture (20ndash

30 year perspective) to be used in the

identification of mediumlong term

research priorities to support the

development of a European

knowledge-based bio-economy

Second SCAR

foresight exercise

(EU SCAR) a form of

dialogue between

researchers and

policy makers

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Non-governmental organizations

bull Local NGOs can offer strong localized networks that link multiple communities

and other organizations

bull If well trained their efforts are invaluable to support farmers activities

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a major role

in promoting sustainable development at international level They

have also actively helped to improve rural living conditions

NGOs can facilitate community adaptive capacity by promoting

interactions across scales and providing opportunities for collective

learning At the same time local NGOs may not be able to access

resources or translate information without assistance and may

need to work closely with larger organizations or stakeholders to

connect community and national development needs and priorities

Local NGOs can offer strong localized networks that link multiple

communities and other organizations placing them as vehicles for

collection and distribution of information and resources that are

transmitted across scales If well trained local NGOs may also be

able to assist farmers in the application of new technologies

Brochure of the GEF-NGO

networkmdashefforts from the Global

Environment Facility to involve

NGOs in environmental work

See also the GEF-NGO website

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Non-governmental organizations

Examples

Civil Society Movement on Climate Change in

Nepal

Local Initiatives for Biodiversity Research and

Development (LI‐BIRD) is a national NGO of

Nepal established in 1995 It is committed to

capitalize on local initiatives for sustainable

management of renewable natural resources and

to improve the livelihoods of resource poor and

marginalized people

LI‐BIRD is implementing climate change projects

to strengthen the institutional capacity of NGOs to

be more credible and effective in policy advocacy

and building active climate networks at the

national level towards raising awareness building

capacity piloting and implementing climate-

resilient projects and programmes to the most

vulnerable communities of Nepal See morehellip

Top Agricultural innovations for livelihood security

programme

Bottom Capacity building activities organized by LI-

BIRD

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Farmersrsquo organizations

bull Farmersrsquo associations can benefit communities by giving them access to

knowledge technology and inputs

Farmersrsquo and rural producersrsquo organizations (FOs) refer to

independent non-governmental membership-based rural

organizations Their memberships consist of part- or full-time self-

employed smallholders and family farmers pastoralists artisanal

fishers agricultural workers women small entrepreneurs or

indigenous peoples They range from formal groups covered by

national legislation such as cooperatives and national farmersrsquo

unions to informal self-help groups and associations

FOs can help farmers gain skills access inputs form enterprises

process and market their products more effectively

Their participation in local planning for climate-smart agriculture

can benefit communities as they can get better access to

technologies knowledge and inputs needed with lower costs to

communities They can also support continuous training

Farmerslsquo association discussing

the importance of tree

conservation in Guamote

Ecuador

Photo FAOR Faidutti

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Farmersrsquo organizations

Examples

A successful mango producers

association in Peru

Promango a Peruvian mango

farmer organization represents a

number of producers in Peru

which account for approximately

30 of the countryrsquos mango

exports

They have engaged in capacity

building and training for the

adoption of Good Agricultural

Practices (GAPs)

The association is aiming to

continue increasing their

production and helping their

members to eliminate

intermediariesPromango promotes Good Agricultural Practices and strengthens

production and marketing of their membersrsquo produce

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Farmersrsquo organizations

Examples

A successful mango producers

association in Peru

Promango a Peruvian mango

farmer organization represents a

number of producers in Peru

which account for approximately

30 of the countryrsquos mango

exports

They have engaged in capacity

building and training for the

adoption of Good Agricultural

Practices (GAPs)

The association is aiming to

continue increasing their

production and helping their

members to eliminate

intermediariesPromango promotes Good Agricultural Practices and strengthens

production and marketing of their membersrsquo produce

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Private sector

bull Private sector action is an important complement to secure commitments and

concerted action by governments

The ability to determine investment flows gives the private sector

great influence over the pace of innovation technological change

and adaptation

Private sector action is an important complement to secure

commitments and concerted action by governments Many areas of

adaptation and the implementation of smarter agriculture can be

carried out together with the private sector

The private sector in particular can contribute to the assessment of

risks disaster risk management technology development and

transfer and financing of a smarter agriculture

It will be down to policy makers to establish clear rules and a

conducive environment to maximise the contribution of the private

sector to a smarter agriculture and to capitalise in productive

partnerships at local level

The exposure of business to

climate change risk and

opportunity a rationale for

action

Source Business leadership on

climate change adaptation-

Encouraging engagement and

action PwC

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Private sector

Examples

ldquoAdaptation for Smallholders to Climate Changerdquo

(AdapCC) supports coffee and tea farmers in

developing strategies to cope with the risks and

impacts of climate change

The initiative was implemented as a Public-Private

Partnership (PPP) by the British Fairtrade company

Cafeacutedirect and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuumlr

Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German

Technical Cooperation) Financing of the project was

shared by Cafeacutedirect (52) and the PPP programme

(48) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation

and Development (BMZ)

The pilot project (2007ndash2010) will be extended and

continued by Cafeacutedirect and several regional and

international public and private institutions

See morehellipReport of the public-private partnership

Adap-CC

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Knowledge brokers

bull Reputed knowledge brokers experience can be valuable for training of

communities to recognise the challenges and potential solutions

Access to reliable information and data and the ability to share

lessons and experience are necessary to foster the needed

change

Apart from conventional knowledge holders like extension services

academia government and international organizations a good

number of associations web portals and online networking

platforms have been set up to take on a lsquoknowledge brokeragersquo role

over the last decade

Reputed knowledge brokers experience can be valuable for training

of communities to recognise the challenges and potential solutions

At global level they can assist to identify climate-smart systems at

have been tested all over the world At subnational level knowledge

brokers can also gather and disseminate knowledge specific for

local conditionsAdaptation learning mechanism

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Knowledge brokers

Examples

From global to local knowledge brokers can

speed up information dissemination

Some examples of knowledge brokers include

Adaptation and mitigation knowledge network- for

accessing and sharing agricultural adaptation and

mitigation knowledge from the CGIAR and its

partners

Climate and Development Knowledge Network-

Supports decision-makers in designing and delivering

climate compatible development

Africa Adapt - to facilitate the flow of climate change

adaptation knowledge between researchers policy

makers NGOs and communities See also images

Asia-Pacific Network on Climate Change-

knowledge-based on-line clearing house for Asia-

Pacific region on climate change issues

TECA Sharing practical information and helping

small producers in the field It has also exchange

groups to discuss specific issues

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Providing sound access to key

resources

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Land

bull Improving the land and water rights of farmers (including female farmers) is

fundamental for technological change as they can embark in investments only

when there are benefits for them for a sufficiently long period

Climate-smart agriculture requires investments in natural resources

management Farmers will invest in them only if they are entitled to

benefit from these for a sufficiently long period Often however their

rights are poorly defined or not formalized Improving the land and water

rights of farmers will be a catalyst for technological change

Land tenure programmes in many developing countries have focused on

formalizing and privatizing rights to land with little regard for customary

and collective systems of tenure Still these systems where they

provide a degree of security can also provide effective incentives for

investments

There is no single ldquobest practicerdquo model for recognizing customary land

tenure but there may be possibilities for selecting alternative policy

responses based on the capacity of the customary tenure system

Adapted from Save and Grow See also Fitzpatrick 2005

Governing land for

women and men

Practical guidance on

responsible governance of

tenure

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Land

bull Improving the land and water rights of farmers (including female farmers) is

fundamental for technological change as they can embark in investments only

when there are benefits for them for a sufficiently long period

Climate-smart agriculture requires investments in natural resources

management Farmers will invest in them only if they are entitled to

benefit from these for a sufficiently long period Often however their

rights are poorly defined or not formalized Improving the land and water

rights of farmers will be a catalyst for technological change

Land tenure programmes in many developing countries have focused on

formalizing and privatizing rights to land with little regard for customary

and collective systems of tenure Still these systems where they

provide a degree of security can also provide effective incentives for

investments

There is no single ldquobest practicerdquo model for recognizing customary land

tenure but there may be possibilities for selecting alternative policy

responses based on the capacity of the customary tenure system

Adapted from Save and Grow See also Fitzpatrick 2005

Governing land for

women and men

Practical guidance on

responsible governance of

tenure

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Land

Examples

Communal tenure for indigenous communities in Asian

countries

The communal tenure ldquopermanent titlerdquo model implies that the

state fully and permanently hands the land over to local

indigenous communities for private collective ownership In this

situation the resource system is often multi-facetted

comprising agricultural lands as well as forest water and

pasture land

Examples of permanent title in Asia include the Philippines and

Cambodia where legislation provides for collective rights of

indigenous communities In many instances such as

Cambodia Philippines or for instance Papua New Guinea the

indigenous groups or communities that are eligible by law for

private and permanent communal tenure need to become a

legal entity to be recognized as a communal right-holder by the

state

Communal tenure and the

Governance of common

property resources in Asia-

Lessons from experiences in

selected countries FAO

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Plant genetic resources

bull Governments should make sure that there are mechanisms to safeguard access

to plant genetic resources at local national and global levels which will enable

climate-smart agriculture

During the Green Revolution the international system that generated

new crop varieties was based on open access to plant genetic

resources (PGR) Today national and international policies increasingly

support the privatization of PGR and plant breeding through the use of

intellectual property rights (IPRs)

Plant variety protection systems typically grant a temporary exclusive

right to the breeders of a new variety to prevent others from reproducing

and selling seed of that variety

IPRs have stimulated rapid growth in private sector funding of

agricultural research and development but to ensure that they profit

from developments governments should make sure that there are

mechanisms to safeguard access to PGR at local national and global

levels which will enable the application of climate-smart agriculture and

sustainable crop production intensification Morehellip

A farmer in Zambia in a

demonstration plot for a

new maize variety

Photo FAOP Lowrey

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Animal genetic resources

bull Climate-smart agriculture will also need that farmers and herders have access to

breeds that can be more efficient and perform well under climatic challenges

Animal genetic resources for food and agriculture provide crucial

options for the sustainable development of livestock production

The erosion of animal genetic resources globally and particularly in

many developing countries has accelerated in recent years as a

consequence of the rapid changes affecting livestock production

systems (intensification and industrialization) as they respond to

surging global demand for animal products Disease outbreaks other

disasters and emergencies and the degradation of grazing land are

also threats to preserve these resources

Climate-smart agriculture will also need that farmers and herders have

access to breeds that can be more efficient and perform well under

climatic challenges As with plant genetic resources governments

should ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms for the

distribution and use of animal genetic resources See morehellip

Karakul sheep are well

adapted to the sparse desert

pastures and climate of the

Uzbek desert

Source Management use and

conservation of Karakul sheep

in traditional livestock farming

systems in Uzbekistan

Photo Julie DeVlieg Rice WA

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Seeds and seed sector regulation

bull The seed sector should be properly regulated to fulfil farmersrsquo needs under future

challenges

Farmers require access to quality seeds of varieties that meet their

production consumption and marketing needs Access implies

affordability availability of a range of appropriate varieties and

information on how to use them

The seed sector should be properly regulated to fulfil farmers needs

under future challenges An effective system should use and link the

formal sectormdashcharacterised by an structured system which is

genetically uniform uses scientific plant-breeding techniques

meets quality standardsmdashand the informal sectormdashwhich provides

traditional farmer-bred varieties and saved seeds

An effective seed system should also have provisions for

propagation and distribution of seeds of stress-resistant varieties at

normal times and during emergencies and ways of disseminating

knowledge on how to use these improved varieties See morehellip

Harvesting controlling quality

and cleaning seed in different

seed operations in Afghanistan

Mozambique and Nepal

Photos

FAONapolitanoThekisoBizzarri

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Genetic resources

Reflections

No country is self-sufficient in plant genetic resources all depend on genetic diversity from other

countries and regions The fair sharing of benefits from plant genetic resources have been

practically implemented at the international level through the International Treaty on Plant Genetic

Resources for Food and Agriculture and its Standard Material Transfer Agreement

In addition the Interlaken Declaration on Animal Genetic Resources and the Global Plan of Action

for Animal Genetic Resources makes provisions for facilitating access to animal genetic

resources and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from their use

The Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB) aims to enhance the

capacity of developing countries to improve crops for food security and sustainable development

through better plant breeding and delivery systems

Do you know how your country participates in these Treaties and initiatives

Do you know which institutes can support you with improved cropanimal breeds

Which are the mechanisms to provide farmers with improved varieties and breeds

Are they efficient in the light of climate variability and change concerns

How do seed systems operate in your area How could they be improved

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Seed systems

Examples

Promoting smallholder seed enterprises quality seed

production of rice maize sorghum and millet in

northern Cameroon

Two projects were carried out in Cameroon to improve seed

production of rice maize sorghum and millet by

smallholder seed enterprises (SSEs) Farmer groups were

strengthened or new ones formed and then trained

The groups were then linked to the Extension Service the

Agriculture Research for Development Institution the

National Seed Service and to financial institutions

According to evaluations two and three years after the

project ended 60 of the groups had continued with their

activities Total certified rice seed for one of the projects had

increased from 267 t to 800 t and for the other cereals

project total certified seed had increased from 497 t to

7192 t

See morehellip

Seed systems in emergencies another

important aspect to consider in

strengthening seed systems

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Linking with market opportunities

bull New market opportunities in the light of expected global change challenges

should also be created especially for smallholders

Market access opportunities have always determined the success of

agriculture and the change from subsistence to commercial

agriculture New opportunities on the light of expected global change

challenges should also be created especially for smallholders

At local level the design and implementation of strategies to provide

farmers particularly women with better access to new market

opportunities and the capacity to take advantage of these openings

should be a priority These strategies should especially give access

to farmers to markets for high-value agricultural products eco-

friendly agricultural products those from low carbon footprint

operations and other rewarding climate change mitigation efforts

Agricultural planning at local level should analyse possible markets

and opportunities both an national regional and international level A CIAT publication on

market opportunities in

the MEAS project website

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Technology knowledge and extension

bull Climate-smart agriculture is knowledge intensive so efforts are needed to

establish effective mechanisms for information exchange for farmers to benefit

from scientific developments

Successful adoption of climate-smart agriculture will depend on the

capacity of farmers to make wise technology choices taking into

account both short- and long-term impacts

Rural advisory and agricultural extension services were once the

main channel for the flow of new knowledge between research and

the field However public extension systems in many developing

countries have long been in decline and the private sector has failed

to meet the needs of low-income producers

Extension services for so long neglected should be revitalised and

modernised in order to cope with farmers demand for knowledge

More than ever efforts are needed to establish effective mechanisms

for information exchange so farmers can benefit from scientific

developments they can communicate their needs for a more applied

research and share their own innovations

Extension workers

facilitating sharing of

knowledge and

experiences among farmers

in a Farmer Field School in

Egypt

Photo FAOG Napolitano

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Technology knowledge and extension

Examples

A consortium effort to modernize extension and

advisory services

The Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services project

components include

TEACH - Disseminating modern approaches to extension

through user-friendly materials for dissemination and training

programs that promote new strategies and approaches to

rural extension and advisory service delivery

LEARN - Documenting lessons learned and Good Practice

through success stories case studies evaluations pilot

projects and action research

APPLY - Designing modern extension and advisory services

program through assistance to selected host country

organizationsmdashpublic and privatemdashfor the analysis design

evaluation and reform of rural extension and advisory

servicesWebsite of the project modernizing

extension and advisory services project

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Technology knowledge and extension

Examples

A consortium effort to modernize extension and

advisory services

The Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services project

components include

TEACH - Disseminating modern approaches to extension

through user-friendly materials for dissemination and training

programs that promote new strategies and approaches to

rural extension and advisory service delivery

LEARN - Documenting lessons learned and Good Practice

through success stories case studies evaluations pilot

projects and action research

APPLY - Designing modern extension and advisory services

program through assistance to selected host country

organizationsmdashpublic and privatemdashfor the analysis design

evaluation and reform of rural extension and advisory

servicesWebsite of the project modernizing

extension and advisory services project

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Input and output pricing

bull Input and output price policies should aim to support farmers in making profits

from climate-smart practices

Farmers will only accept practices that give them a profit and better

life opportunities

Input prices are important for climate-smart practices While access

to good quality and fairly priced inputs is necessary governments

should make sure that access policies do not result in

environmentally harmful or ldquoperverserdquo subsidies In the long run

these cause more damage to the environment and economies

(world-wide unintended perverse subsidies cost from US$500 billion

to US$15 trillion a year)

Stabilizing agricultural output prices is also important for farmers

especially after the commodity price fluctuation in recent years For

farmers depending on agricultural income price volatility means

large income fluctuations and greater risk which reduces their

capacity to invest in climate-smart systems

An example of a framework to

investigate the effect of

agricultural subsidies impacts

Source Rethinking Agricultural

Input Subsidies in Poor Rural

Economies

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Input and output pricing

Examples

Abolishment of agricultural subsidies in New

Zealand

The economic crises which hit New Zealand in the

1980s led to a reform in government intervention in all

economic activities

Since 1984 the government has abolished input

subsidies phased out farm credit concessions

increased charges for government services reduced

distortions in taxation provisions and charged more

realistic interest rates on marketing board trading

The New Zealand experience suggests that most of the

supposed objectives of agricultural subsidies and

market protectionsmdashto maintain a traditional

countryside ensure food security combat food

scarcity support family farms and slow the corporate

take-over of agriculturemdashare better achieved by their

absence Source Farming without subsidies

New Zealand dairy scene east of Rotorua

Output and net incomes for the New Zealand

dairy industry are higher now than before

subsidies endedmdashand the cost of milk

production is among the lowest in the world

Source Farming without subsidies Some

lessons from New Zealand

Photo Courtesy of the Rodale Institute

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Enhancing field capacity

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Multidisciplinary training for farmers

bull Farmers will need more solid multidisciplinary training in order to be able to

choose and carry out climate-smart practices

bull Attracting back young generations to farmers should be part of a wider

agriculture education strategy

Adaptation to climate change and mitigation efforts in agriculture

together with keeping up with production challenges will require

more skilful farmers herders and fisher folk Formal and informal

training resources will need to be widely available to them

Training can be in the form of visits to communities from local

agriculture fisheries and natural resources institutes regular

training from extension services or NGOs or participation of

producers in specific schemes outside their areas

Training should include strategic thinking for identifying and

managing risk and climate variability impacts technical knowledge

for climate-smart agricultural practices ecosystem management

and monitoring business management decisions all with a

ldquoproblem solvingrdquo focus Training programmes should also aim to

attract younger generations to agriculture

Young farmer harvesting export

quality strawberry in his fields

Gaza Education and training

should attract younger farmers

to agriculture

Photo FAOB Lahia

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Multidisciplinary training for farmers

Examples

Education strategies for farmers in Australia

The Australian Government DAFF and the

National Farmers Federation work together to

improve training opportunities for farmers

including

bull Promoting farm apprenticeships inclusion in

Technical Colleges and Trade Training Centres

and Skills incentive schemes

bull Improving and providing training in the Institute

for Trade Skills Excellence

bull Promoting enrolments in agricultural sciences

in the universities

bull Making FarmReady and Rural Skills Australia

programmes compatible with farmers needs

See morehellip

The Australian Governments FarmReady programme

aims to boost training opportunities for primary

producers and Indigenous land managers and enable

industry farming groups and natural resource

management groups develop strategies to adapt and

respond to the impacts of climate change

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Multidisciplinary training for farmers

bull Farmers will need more solid multidisciplinary training in order to be able to

choose and carry out climate-smart practices

bull Attracting back young generations to farmers should be part of a wider

agriculture education strategy

Adaptation to climate change and mitigation efforts in agriculture

together with keeping up with production challenges will require

more skilful farmers herders and fisher folk Formal and informal

training resources will need to be widely available to them

Training can be in the form of visits to communities from local

agriculture fisheries and natural resources institutes regular

training from extension services or NGOs or participation of

producers in specific schemes outside their areas

Training should include strategic thinking for identifying and

managing risk and climate variability impacts technical knowledge

for climate-smart agricultural practices ecosystem management

and monitoring business management decisions all with a

ldquoproblem solvingrdquo focus Training programmes should also aim to

attract younger generations to agriculture

Young farmer harvesting export

quality strawberry in his fields

Gaza Education and training

should attract younger farmers

to agriculture

Photo FAOB Lahia

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Multidisciplinary training for farmers

Examples

Education strategies for farmers in Australia

The Australian Government DAFF and the

National Farmers Federation work together to

improve training opportunities for farmers

including

bull Promoting farm apprenticeships inclusion in

Technical Colleges and Trade Training Centres

and Skills incentive schemes

bull Improving and providing training in the Institute

for Trade Skills Excellence

bull Promoting enrolments in agricultural sciences

in the universities

bull Making FarmReady and Rural Skills Australia

programmes compatible with farmers needs

See morehellip

The Australian Governments FarmReady programme

aims to boost training opportunities for primary

producers and Indigenous land managers and enable

industry farming groups and natural resource

management groups develop strategies to adapt and

respond to the impacts of climate change

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Multidisciplinary training for farmers

Examples

Education strategies for farmers in Australia

The Australian Government DAFF and the

National Farmers Federation work together to

improve training opportunities for farmers

including

bull Promoting farm apprenticeships inclusion in

Technical Colleges and Trade Training Centres

and Skills incentive schemes

bull Improving and providing training in the Institute

for Trade Skills Excellence

bull Promoting enrolments in agricultural sciences

in the universities

bull Making FarmReady and Rural Skills Australia

programmes compatible with farmers needs

See morehellip

The Australian Governments FarmReady programme

aims to boost training opportunities for primary

producers and Indigenous land managers and enable

industry farming groups and natural resource

management groups develop strategies to adapt and

respond to the impacts of climate change

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Useful weather information

bull Better ways of transferring weather information should be used if farmers are to

benefit of early warning systems

Farmers can reduce crop losses if they have information in

advance through weather forecasts (2ndash10 days) and outlooks

(weeksndashseasons)

Most farmers use traditional knowledge rather than formal climate

forecasts often due to a lack of understandable information Even

if weather forecasting will never be an exact science information

on risks can be better transferred by converting scientific data into

more field-useful information for example farmers should know

bull Expected start and end of the rainy season

bull Forecasts or outlooks of storms floods and droughts

bull Expected impacts of forecasted events and actions to take

The effectiveness of forecasts depends on farmers receiving

accurate and timely information that they can use Example of a weather outlook

website in the USA

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Useful weather information

Examples

Climate Forecasting for Agricultural Resources

A 1997ndash2000 project by the Tufts University and the University

of Georgia studied how farmers in Burkina Faso could use

climate monitoring and forecasts They found that farmers

bull Want and value scientific information including climate

forecasts

bull Perceived local forecasts had lost reliability due to

increased climate variability

bull Need seasonal outlooks several weeks before the expected

onset of the rainy season

bull Need information on impacts and trade-offs

bull Want forecasts to be delivered by credible sources and

identified local language radio programs as a good way to

deliver forecasts

bull Do not fully appreciate the probabilistic nature of the

forecast and need better ways to interpret information

Listening to forecasts

Source Opportunities and constraints

to using seasonal precipitation

forecasting to improve agricultural

production systems and livelihood

security in the Sahel-Sudan region A

case study of Burkina Faso

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Identifying risks

bull For farmers herders and fisher folk knowing which kind of risks are associated to

specific areas is important in order to create responses that address these risks

The change in climatic features including the frequency and

intensity of climate events will pose different risks For farmers

herders and fisher folk knowing which kind of risks are associated

to specific areas is important in order to create responses that

address these risks

Although climate change projections are still coarse and uncertain

a number of trends and threats for agriculture may be discernible at

local level Risks related to the status of natural resources trends in

occurrence of weather events expected agricultural production

constraints challenges to post harvest operations and risks shared

with other sectors should be looked at

Identifying risks together with communities should be part of efforts

for planning at community level and create risk disaster

management strategies

Women in a farmer field school

Source Livelihood Adaptation to

Climate Change Project

Photo FAOG Napolitano

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Identifying risks

Examples

Identifying risks in fishing communities

Policy support for adaptation of fisheries includes

supporting measures to reduce exposure of fishing

people to climate-related risks through

bull Assessing climate-change risks including future fish

stock variation and cross-sectoral factors which

could affect fisheries

bull Engaging communities with disaster management

and risk reduction planning especially concerning

planning coastal or flood defences

bull Supporting risk reduction initiatives within fishing

communities using lsquosoft engineeringrsquo solutions where

possible eg the conservation of natural storm

barriers floodplains erodible shorelines to manage

costs and damage impacts

bull Implementing early warning systems

This fishing community in Aido Beach Benin

has adopted the use of an experimental net

featuring larger mesh that does not catch

juvenile fish

Photo FAOD Minkoh

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Preparing disaster risk management plans

bull Disaster risk management plans include provisions to reduce the impacts of

hazards and rehabilitate areas hit by disaster in a more effective way

The purpose of disaster risk management (DRM) is to reduce the

potential impacts of hazards to prepare for events which bring

those hazards and to initiate an immediate response should the

impacts be so large that disaster strikes The DRM framework

encompasses

bull The preparation phase which should provide timely and reliable

hazard forecasts and identify actions to avoid or limit adverse

effects of hazards

bull The response phase to protect lives and assets through a

series of established coordinated actions

bull The post-disaster phase focused on recovery and rehabilitation

DRM planning implies strong coordination and gives more

opportunities to increase community resilience and rehabilitate

disaster stricken areas without wasting time or resources

Example of elements of DRM

framework

Source Disaster risk

management systems analysis- A

guide book

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Preparing disaster risk management plans

bull Disaster risk management plans include provisions to reduce the impacts of

hazards and rehabilitate areas hit by disaster in a more effective way

The purpose of disaster risk management (DRM) is to reduce the

potential impacts of hazards to prepare for events which bring

those hazards and to initiate an immediate response should the

impacts be so large that disaster strikes The DRM framework

encompasses

bull The preparation phase which should provide timely and reliable

hazard forecasts and identify actions to avoid or limit adverse

effects of hazards

bull The response phase to protect lives and assets through a

series of established coordinated actions

bull The post-disaster phase focused on recovery and rehabilitation

DRM planning implies strong coordination and gives more

opportunities to increase community resilience and rehabilitate

disaster stricken areas without wasting time or resources

Example of elements of DRM

framework

Source Disaster risk

management systems analysis- A

guide book

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Preparing disaster risk management plans

Examples

Planning to reduce drought impacts

Drought planning involves identifying objectives

and strategies to effectively and equitably

prepare for respond to and recover from the

effects of drought as well as the development of

a plan to implement the strategies

To reduce the likelihood of drought impacts

being repeated in the future increased emphasis

is being placed on developing drought plans that

outline proactive strategies that can be

implemented before during and after drought to

increase societal and environmental resiliency

and enhance drought response and recovery

capabilities Several countries in the Near East

and Africa have already begun the process of

developing national drought plans Their valuable

experience can be used in other countries

Drought Planning

in the Near East

Preparing for drought

in eastern Kenya

Photo FAOT Hug

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Strategies for biosecurity

bull Plant and animal disease containment as well as measures to reduce food and

water safety threats and produce safe food should be part of agricultural

community risk reduction management plans

The success of climate-smart practices will depend highly on a well set

framework for biosecurity by identifying and containing animal and plant

diseases as well as reducing hazards posed by food and food

operations to humans Often frameworks are available at national level

but poorly implemented at local scales

As part of agricultural community risk reduction management plans

plant and animal disease containment as well as measures to reduce

food and water safety threats and produce safe food should be

included

Education programmes eg through the inclusion in farmer field

schools that disseminate information about surveillance and practices

to contain disease and contamination outbreaks (and ways to handle

them) are necessary to support farmersrsquo work in particular to contain

potential threats brought by climate change

Transferring animal

health knowledge in

Togo

Photo FAOK Pratt

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Strategies for biosecurity

Examples

Early warning systems in place can contribute

to climate-smart strategies

Protection against animal and plant diseases and

pests and against food safety threats and

preventing their spread is one of the keys to

fighting hunger malnutrition and poverty The

Emergency Prevention Systems (EMPRES)

address prevention and early warning across the

entire food chain through EMPRES Animal

Health EMPRES Plant Protection and EMPRES

Food Safety

Another example is the Global Early Warning

System (GLEWS) for Major Animal Diseases

including Zoonosis (an infectious disease that

can be transmitted from animals to humans)

The networks and structures created by these

systems can be used to incorporate climate

concerns and link to local planning processes

EMPRES

website

GLEWS

website

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Strategies for biosecurity

Examples

Early warning systems in place can contribute

to climate-smart strategies

Protection against animal and plant diseases and

pests and against food safety threats and

preventing their spread is one of the keys to

fighting hunger malnutrition and poverty The

Emergency Prevention Systems (EMPRES)

address prevention and early warning across the

entire food chain through EMPRES Animal

Health EMPRES Plant Protection and EMPRES

Food Safety

Another example is the Global Early Warning

System (GLEWS) for Major Animal Diseases

including Zoonosis (an infectious disease that

can be transmitted from animals to humans)

The networks and structures created by these

systems can be used to incorporate climate

concerns and link to local planning processes

EMPRES

website

GLEWS

website

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

More applied research delivered to the field

bull More support to research should be given so they can respond better and faster

to farmer needs connect to extension services and where relevant collect and

spread farmer innovation

Many agricultural research systems are not sufficiently development-

oriented and have often failed to integrate the needs and priorities of

farmers especially smallholders in their work In addition research

systems are often under-resourced

To support more applied research and a faster transfer to the field it

is important to

bull Increase funding in particular that for local institutes to

strengthen agricultural research and promote technology transfer

programmes to smallholders

bull Improve feedback mechanisms to connect farmers innovation

with scientific research as well as strengthen extension services

bull Support programmes that foster integration of disciplines to adopt

more systematic approaches to agriculture and natural resource

management

Inspecting a new wheat

variety responding to

farmersrsquo needs

Photo FAOJ Spaull

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

More applied research delivered to the field

Examples

Researchers as training and technology brokers in the

Yellow River Basin

The project Climate-resilient and Environmentally Sound

Agriculture (C-RESAP) has demonstrated technologies

devised by local research institutes and trained

approximately 1500 farmers in 4 provinces in China

Researchers from universities and national and provincial

agricultural research academies took the lead in working

with farmers to demonstrate practices and deliver

multidisciplinary training

This experience set new precedents and saw Chinese

scientists embarking on field extension work It was a good

opportunity for scientists to learn new skills like delivering

and preparing information for different audiences They also

had the opportunity to receive feedback from farmers on the

C-RESAP practices demonstrated

A field technician advises farmers on

soil quality in Ningxia China

Photo C-RESAP project

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

More applied research delivered to the field

Examples

Researchers as training and technology brokers in the

Yellow River Basin

The project Climate-resilient and Environmentally Sound

Agriculture (C-RESAP) has demonstrated technologies

devised by local research institutes and trained

approximately 1500 farmers in 4 provinces in China

Researchers from universities and national and provincial

agricultural research academies took the lead in working

with farmers to demonstrate practices and deliver

multidisciplinary training

This experience set new precedents and saw Chinese

scientists embarking on field extension work It was a good

opportunity for scientists to learn new skills like delivering

and preparing information for different audiences They also

had the opportunity to receive feedback from farmers on the

C-RESAP practices demonstrated

A field technician advises farmers on

soil quality in Ningxia China

Photo C-RESAP project

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Access to financing

bull Innovative access to financing is needed for farmers to be able to implement

climate-smart practicesmdashfinancing should help farmers and not hinder their

development possibilities

Credit financing for smallholders is traditionally considered a high

risk business and involves high transaction and supervision costs

Innovative financing schemes have approaches and practices to

address these problems

Value chain financing responds to problems tied with access to

credit by interlinking two separate transactions as a substitute for

collateral For instance loans for purchase of inputs are linked to

the sale of output as a condition for the loan Some examples of

innovative financing include warehouse receipts contract farming

trade finance other commodity-finance instruments such as

repurchase agreements and export receivable financing

Credit delivery mechanisms link informal financial intermediaries

with formal ones is a widespread practice in many countries

Source IFAD

Innovations in financing

food security by PIDS

discussing different financing

models for small scale

farmers

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Access to financing

Examples

Examples of innovative financing

A number of initiatives to support farmers have appeared in the

last decades among them

bull Self-help groups (SHGs) linked to banking in India SHGs

are a village-based financial intermediary usually

composed of 10ndash20 local women Many SHGs are linked

to banks for the delivery of microcredit See examplehellip

bull Unit Desas are village banks of the Bank Rakyat

Indonesia The strength of Unit Desas is savings

mobilization Each is managed by 4 to 11 personnel at a

ratio of one loan staff per 400 borrowers and one cashier

per 150 daily transactions See morehellip

bull Bank Finance against Warehouse Cheese Loans against

Parmesan are offered by four banks in the Italyrsquos northern

Emilia-Romagna region The cheese is stored in climate-

controlled warehouses as collateral for the term of the

loan See morehellip

Parmesan warehouses in Italy

Source Innovative financing in

agriculture II-Lending against

warehouse stored cheese as collateral

Photo R Mohite FTKMC

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

The macro-level picture investment

incentives and legal frameworks

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Financing and investment

bull Climate-smart agriculture needs adequate investment for enabling farmers to be

more efficient in their production and adapt to climate change

bull Public and private sources should be combined in innovative ways to meet

requirements

Climate change adaptation and mitigation costs in rural areas are

expected to be high therefore climate-smart agriculture needs

adequate investment both in public infrastructure and in funding for

enabling farmers to be more efficient in their production and adapt

to climate change

Considerable investment is required in filling data and knowledge

gaps and in research and development of technologies

methodologies as well as the conservation and production of

suitable varieties and breeds

Public and private sources as well as those earmarked for climate

change and food security should be combined to meet the

investment requirements of the agricultural sector See also

Financing and Investments for Climate-smart Agriculture and

Private Sector Finance and Climate Change Adaptation

Investment needs versus available

resources (in blue) in developing

countries A funding gap

Source ldquoClimate-Smartrdquo

Agriculture FAO

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Financing and investment

bull Climate-smart agriculture needs adequate investment for enabling farmers to be

more efficient in their production and adapt to climate change

bull Public and private sources should be combined in innovative ways to meet

requirements

Climate change adaptation and mitigation costs in rural areas are

expected to be high therefore climate-smart agriculture needs

adequate investment both in public infrastructure and in funding for

enabling farmers to be more efficient in their production and adapt

to climate change

Considerable investment is required in filling data and knowledge

gaps and in research and development of technologies

methodologies as well as the conservation and production of

suitable varieties and breeds

Public and private sources as well as those earmarked for climate

change and food security should be combined to meet the

investment requirements of the agricultural sector See also

Financing and Investments for Climate-smart Agriculture and

Private Sector Finance and Climate Change Adaptation

Investment needs versus available

resources (in blue) in developing

countries A funding gap

Source ldquoClimate-Smartrdquo

Agriculture FAO

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Financing and investment

Examples

Adapt yesterdayrsquos irrigation to tomorrowrsquos needs

Irrigation is critical to meet global food needs but the era of

rapid expansion of large-scale public irrigated agriculture is

over A major new task is adapting yesterdayrsquos irrigation

systems to tomorrowrsquos needs

Investments in irrigation must become more strategic

Irrigation has to be seen in the context of other development

investments and consider the full spectrum of irrigation

optionsmdashfrom large-scale systems to small-scale technologies

supplying water to bridge dry spells in rainfed areas together

with the integration of water for crop livestock and fish

The challenge for irrigated agriculture is to improve equity

reduce environmental damage increase ecosystem services

and enhance water and land productivity in existing and new

irrigated systems

Source Water for food water for life A comprehensive assessment

of water management in agriculture (CAWMA)

Projections of capital investment in

irrigation development and rehabilitation

Source Reinventing irrigation CAWMA

Rehabilitation of an old reservoir

for irrigation Morocco

Photo FAO R Messori

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Insurance

bull Index insurance products where payments are based on an independent

measure highly correlated with farm-level yield or revenue outcomes could be

considered to support farmers

Various forms of insurance exist in agriculture However these can

involve high opportunity costs in the form of foregone development

The increasing incidence of weather shocks are even further

reducing efficacy of local insurance arrangements

The traditional agricultural reinsurance is not considered a success

Index insurance products where payments are based on an

independent measure highly correlated with farm-level yield or

revenue outcomes are explored as alternatives Index insurance

makes use of variables exogenous to the policyholdermdashsuch as

area-level yield or an objective weather event or measure such as

temperature or rainfallmdashbut have a strong correlation to farm-level

losses

Source Managing agricultural production risk (The World Bank)

See also New approaches to crop yield insurance in developing

countries (IFPRI)

Some advantages of index

insurance contracts

Source Managing agricultural

production risk The World Bank

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Insurance

Examples

Weather index insurance two cases Mexico and Kenya

bull Since 2002ndash03 Mexico has used an insurance scheme

managed by a government owned insurer to improve relief

efforts in the event of drought Vulnerable smallholder

farmers are identified in advance and payments can be

made as soon as a predetermined threshold is crossed

(using a weather-based index which correlates local rainfall

with crop yields) The scheme puts relief funding on a more

predictable footing and transfers part of the risk to the

international reinsurance market Morehellip

bull Kilimo Salama (ldquoSafe Agriculturerdquo) insures farm inputs

against drought and excess rain The project a private

sector initiative offer farmers who plant on as little as one

acre insurance policies to shield them from significant

financial losses when drought or excess rain are expected

to wreak havoc on their harvests They use mobile phone

registry and payment system and distribution through rural

retailers that are micro-insurance firsts Morehellip

AGROASEMEX (Mexico) and Kilimo

Salama (Kenya) insurance schemes

websites

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Incentives for climate-smart agriculture

bull Farmers need incentives to change their practices towards climate-resilient and

environmentally sound agriculture

Ideally change towards a more climate-resilient and

environmentally sound agriculture should happen as a result of the

compelling need of becoming more efficient and resilient Still at

the beginning farmers may need smart incentives to change their

practices especially in areas where investment is low These may

come for example in the form of incentives

bull Make agricultural operations more energy efficient

bull Mitigate GHG emissions through energy generation or waste

recycling

bull Payment for ecosystem services

bull Preferential prices for commodities produced by sustainable

production intensification through certification schemes

The state of food and

agriculture 2007 ndash Paying

farmers for

environmental services

FAO

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Incentives for climate-smart agriculture

Examples

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

USA

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program

(EQIP) administered by USDArsquos Natural

Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a

voluntary program that provides financial and

technical assistance to agricultural producers

through contracts up to a maximum term of ten

years in length

These contracts provide financial assistance to

help plan and implement conservation practices

that address natural resource concerns and for

opportunities to improve soil water plant animal

air and related resources on agricultural land and

non-industrial private forestland See moreThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

website

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Legislation and regulation

bull Reforms in laws and regulationmdashand the way they are interconnectedmdashwill be

called for if countries are to have a more efficient food chain

bull Of particular importance will be better mechanisms to implement these

frameworks at local levels

The interests and mitigation and adaptation targets of different

sectors in a country vary widely Until now the tendency has been

to legislate and regulate sectors separately which often has created

contradictory provisions and difficulty to implement at local levels

Reforms in for example water land use and tenure environment

biodiversity agriculture forestry social and economic laws and

regulationmdashand the way they are interconnectedmdashwill be called for

if countries are to have a more efficient food chain Provisions for

better access to resources or rights eg seed systems genetic

resources and contractual farming arrangements are also needed

Of particular importance will be better mechanisms to implement

these frameworks at local levels

The GLOBE climate legislation study presents examples of efforts

in different countries to establish legislation frameworks

Climate change conference for

Mexican climate legislation

Source UNDP Mexico

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Preparing a climate-smart action plan

Preparing and implementing a climate-smart action plan ensures actions result in improved

adaptive capacity and more resilient communities Aspects that need to be considered include

bull Identifying actors Those affected by potential actions need to be involved since the

beginning

bull Building capacity of actors for planning by informing them of challenges the need to become

more efficient and reducing risks (eg through training awareness campaigns meetings)

bull Inviting actors to determine risks and opportunities This also involves external support to

present scientific findings regarding potential risks in your community Risk and opportunity

identification should cover environmental and economic threats and opportunities (current

and future) and not being limited to agriculture but driven by a multidisciplinary perspective

to development

bull Identifying mechanisms for disaster risk management in all sectors including roles and

responsibilities of different actors establishment of early warning and monitoring systems

securing support and funding from central governments For agriculture this entails providing

specific sectoral solutions that are compatible with development priorities and other sectors

bull It should also include finding common ground for actions with neighbouring communities to

ensure planning is done in the context of a larger picture eg that your local responses link

to subnational national and hopefully global economic and environmental priorities

bull Revising and improving continuously through monitoring and evaluation of activities

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Resources

References used in this module and further reading

This list contains the references used in this module You can access the full text of some of

these references through this information package or through their respective websites by

clicking on references hyperlinks or images In the case of material for which we cannot

include the full text due to special copyrights we provide a link to its abstract in the Internet

Institutions dealing with the issues covered in the module

In this list you will find contact details of national and international institutions that might hold

information on the topics covered

Glossary abbreviations and acronyms

In this glossary you can find the most common terms as used in the context of climate change

In addition the FAOTERM portal contains agricultural terms in different languages Acronyms of

institutions and abbreviations used throughout the package are included here

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Resources

References used in this module and further reading

This list contains the references used in this module You can access the full text of some of

these references through this information package or through their respective websites by

clicking on references hyperlinks or images In the case of material for which we cannot

include the full text due to special copyrights we provide a link to its abstract in the Internet

Institutions dealing with the issues covered in the module

In this list you will find contact details of national and international institutions that might hold

information on the topics covered

Glossary abbreviations and acronyms

In this glossary you can find the most common terms as used in the context of climate change

In addition the FAOTERM portal contains agricultural terms in different languages Acronyms of

institutions and abbreviations used throughout the package are included here

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies

Accessing other modules

Part I - Agriculture food security and ecosystems current and future challenges

Module 1 An introduction to current and future challenges

Module 2 Climate variability and climate change

Module 3 Impacts of climate change on agro-ecosystems and food production

Module 4 Agriculture environment and health

Part II - Addressing challenges

Module 5 C-RESAPclimate-smart agriculture technical considerations and

examples of production systems

Module 6 C-RESAPclimate-smart agriculture supporting tools and policies

About the information package

How to use

Credits

Contact us

How to cite the information package

C Licona Manzur and Rhodri P Thomas (2011) Climate resilient and environmentally sound agriculture

or ldquoclimate-smartrdquo agriculture An information package for government authorities Institute of Agricultural

Resources and Regional Planning Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations

Module 6 Supporting tools and policies