Nairobi: Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) member countries have gathered in Nairobi to validate the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Scaling Strategy. The CSA Strategy aims to scale tested and proven CSA technologies, innovations, management practices, and services within ASARECA's mandate area.
According to Kenya News Agency, this strategy serves as a roadmap to catalyze systemic transformation in agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods in East and Central Africa (ECA). It will guide national governments, research institutes, farmers, the private sector, and partners in scaling up climate-resilient agricultural transformation across the 15 member countries. Dr. Sylvester Baguma, Executive Director of ASARECA, highlighted the strategy's role in identifying and scaling technologies to help farmers be resilient to climate changes while producing crops sustainably.
Dr. Baguma emphasized the importance of member countries implementing the strategy, noting that each country would find relevant context to help its farmers identify appropriate technologies. He stated the aim to increase productivity and create surplus for sale by scaling technologies related to Climate Smart Agriculture. The strategy also benefits stakeholders along the commodity value chain amidst climate change by enhancing food security and nutritional intake.
Dr. John Recha, a research scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), explained that the strategy provides guidance based on climate change challenges unique to each country's geographical setting. The strategy outlines options for climate-smart practices in crop and livestock production, soil and water management, and marketing.
Julian Barungi, Programme Officer for Policy at ASARECA, pointed out that climate change undermines agricultural productivity and food security in the region. Despite innovations in climate-smart agriculture technologies, many farmers have not adopted them due to awareness, affordability, and access issues. The CSA scaling strategy aims to provide a guiding framework to ensure widespread adoption among farmers in Eastern and Central Africa.
Barungi added that the strategy offers solutions tailored to specific agroecological zones and emphasizes the need for institutions to mainstream climate-smart agriculture within policies. She noted that the strategy spans over a decade, providing guidance up to 2035, with plans to finalize and launch it by the end of the year.
ASARECA, established in 1994, supports and improves agricultural research effectiveness in Eastern and Central Africa through cooperation among national agricultural research institutes to address shared agricultural concerns.