AICCRA Reports
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Item Bootcamp AICCRA-ITC Renforcement des capacités des acteurs de la chaine de valeur anacarde(Report, 2025-07-08) Atadokpede, Marine; Siagbe, Golli; Marius, Assogba Guy; Ouedraogo, Mathieu; Ouedraogo, Issa; Derenoncourt, Marie Ena PascaleFrom June 17 to 20, 2025, the Nema Kadior Hotel in Ziguinchor, Senegal, hosted the AICCRA-ITC Bootcamp Workshop: Capacity Building for Stakeholders in the Cashew Value Chain in Senegal, bringing together 23 participants, including eight women. These participants came from various organizations: the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC), cashew producer organizations, Agropole-Sud, the Interprofession Cajou du Sénégal (ICAS), the private sector, NGOs (Shelter for Life), and international partners (ITC, Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT). The main objective of the workshop was to raise awareness and train actors in the cashew value chain on climate issues and adaptation solutions, while integrating an inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to promote the sustainability and resilience of the cashew sector in Senegal. Exchanges focused on strengthening the capacities of actors in the cashew value chain in the use of Climate Information Services (CIS) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) solutions, with a particular focus on integrating gender-sensitive approaches to strengthen their resilience and implement sustainable practices using green finance. The workshop was participatory and included videos, interactive presentations, and group work followed by plenary presentations. Participants deepened their understanding of basic concepts related to climate change, climate variability, and green finance. They then analyzed the impacts of climate change on their economic activities, evaluated existing adaptation strategies, and identified areas for improvement tailored to their respective contexts. On this basis, they co-constructed a green economic model framework integrating the climate solutions discussed. Evaluations revealed that the workshop promoted knowledge gain among participants, who went from 57% correct answers on the pre-training evaluation questionnaire to 85% after the training. The majority (94%) expressed satisfaction with the conduct, organization, and delivery of the training. The workshop concluded with a projection exercise: participants were invited to formulate their vision for the future, identify obstacles to be overcome, and define the next steps to be taken for a resilient cashew nut sector. The main recommendation of this workshop is to ensure that stakeholders develop and successfully implement strategic plans for managing the climate risks they have identified in the cashew value chain.Item Syllabus Cours Gestion des Risques Climatiques(Manual, 2025-06-25) SOW, SadibouThe Climate Risk Management course, taught as part of the Master 1 in Agricultural and Rural Development at ISFAR's Alioune Diop University in Bambey, aims to equip students with the tools they need to understand and manage the effects of climate change in the agricultural sector. It is coordinated by Dr Sadibou Sow and forms part of the "Environmental Management" teaching unit. The 25-hour programme (15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of tutorials) aims to familiarise students with climate concepts, available data, forecasts and adaptation strategies in an uncertain context. Students will learn to identify relevant sources of climatic information, interpret meteorological data, understand decision-making mechanisms in the face of climatic hazards, and use risk management tools adapted to Senegalese agricultural realities. Particular attention is paid to climate communication, gender mainstreaming and the specificities of the livestock sector in the face of climate change. Teaching methods alternate between lectures, case studies, simulations, and group work. Assessment combines exams (60%) and case studies (40%). This course is fundamental to strengthening the resilience of the rural world in the face of growing climate challenges.Item Scaling up of drought-tolerant varieties and intensive rice cropping system through capacity building, field schools and multi-stakeholder platforms in the Office du Niger area(Report, 2025-06) Sidibe, Mahamadou; Keita, Bamoye; Dossou-Yovo, ElliottItem Technical Support and Capacity Building for Mali-Météo in Data Sharing Tool (DST) and Enhancing National Climate Services initiative (ENACTS)(Report, 2025-06) Dinh, Dannie; Dinku, Tufa; Faniriantsoa, RijaThis report presents the technical assistance and capacity building provided by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) at Columbia University to Mali’s National Meteorological Agency (Mali-Météo) for the deployment and operationalization of the Data Sharing Tool (DST) and the Enhancing National Climate Services (ENACTS) tools. Recognizing the challenges of limited meteorological data in sub-Saharan Africa, ENACTS aims to improve data quality by integrating ground-based and satellite observations to produce spatially complete climate datasets. To enhance the usability and dissemination of these datasets, IRI developed a DST tailored to Mali Météo needs, enabling secure and selective data sharing with trusted partners. This report outlines the steps taken to install and test the DST, the capacity-building activities conducted—including the training of six Mali-Météo staff (two women)—and the core features of the DST that support user-specific data access. The report also details planned next steps, including enabling external access to the DST via a public IP and updating the system with the most recent ENACTS datasets. This initiative significantly strengthens Mali-Météo capacity to deliver user-responsive climate services and contributes to the broader objective of enhancing climate-informed decision-making in Mali’s agricultural and environmental sectors.Item Adoption and impact of drought-tolerant rice varieties, flood-tolerant rice varieties, RiceAdvice app, mechanization, and climate information services on farmers’ rice yield and householddiet diversity(Report, 2025-06) Suh, Neville; Diallo, Aboubacar; Dossou-Yovo, ElliottFrequent and unpredictable weather events continue to adversely affect agricultural livelihoods, requiring the need for climate action. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and climate information services (CIS) have emerged as key climate adaptation strategies to help farmers curb the impact of climate threats on their livelihoods. Mali is one of the countries benefiting from the AICCRA project that aims to improve climate resilience and livelihoods of rice farmers. Between 2021 and 2025, the AICCRA Mali cluster has exposed farmers to different CSA and CIS technologies. Specifically, through the AICCRA Mali project, 427,155 rice farmers received climate information services (i.e., 253039 males and 174116 females), 6124 received drought-tolerant rice varieties (i.e., 4611 females and 1513 males), 41596 used the RiceAdvice app (i.e., 23607 males and 17989 females), and 17165 received mechanization services such as complementary irrigation, rice husker, threshing, harvesting, tractor, and tiller (i.e., 9784 males and 7381 females). The aim of this report is to assess the drivers of adoption of those CSA and CIS innovations, and their impacts on rice yield and household dietary diversity. Data were collected in the Segou, Sikasso, and Koulikoro regions using a randomized controlled experimental design (RCT). The RCT experiment was set up in 2021, and farmers in the treatment communes have been continuously exposed to different CSA and CIS technologies. Although heterogeneous for some interventions, the results underscore the importance of female household heads, younger household heads, households with larger farm size, households whose rice fields are closer to the markets, households that own a TV, households that have access to electricity, households vulnerable to weather shocks in recent years (flood, drought, and irregular rainfall patterns), households that received advise from extension agents, households that received material or cash support, households that received subsidies from governments, and households that have access to credit services as key drivers that positively influence the adoption of CSA technologies. Similarly, households with larger farm sizes, households whose rice fields are closer to the markets, households cultivating rice mainly for commercial purposes, households with access to the internet, and households who experienced a weather shock were also major drivers for the adoption of CIS technologies. The adopters of flood-tolerant rice varieties, drought-tolerant rice varieties, RiceAdvice, mechanization services, and climate information services reported on average a higher yield of 1881 kg/ha, 1597 kg/ha, 1687 kg/ha, 1707 kg/ha, 1148 kg/ha, respectively, compared to non-adopters. Meanwhile, the adopters of flood-tolerant rice varieties, drought-tolerant rice varieties, RiceAdvice, mechanization services, and climate information services consumed on average one additional food group compared to non-adopters. Overall, we conclude that the results show a robust impact for the adoption of flood-tolerant rice varieties, drought-tolerant rice varieties, RiceAdvice recommendations, mechanizations and CIS technologies on rice yield and household dietary diversity, suggesting that policies and interventions that aim to improve vulnerable farming households livelihood outcomes should promote the widespread adoption of CSA and CIS technologies.Item AICCRA Communications Strategy 2024-2026(Report, 2024-12-12) Bucknall-Williams, Rhys; Harrys, AmyThis AICCRA Communications Strategy (2024 – 2026) presents a detailed strategy and workplan to guide the work of its global communications team, as they build on the legacy of AICCRA’s inaugural phase (2021 – 2023) to deepen and broaden their partnerships across Africa in scaling CIS and CSA through the project’s additional finance phase (2024-2026). The strategy itself is informed by the experience and lessons learned from that first phase, as AICCRA initially took a flexible, iterative, and experiential approach to communications – testing what worked and what didn’t. As partnerships were forged and implementation gathered pace, so we enhanced the communications team, defined (and refined) our strategic and operational approach, and found our voice. This strategy supports the team in raising our ambition in additional finance to produce targeted, informative, and ultimately persuasive stories which catalyze the uptake and use of CGIAR innovations on a massive scale to address the climate crisis in Africa.Item Echanges sur les possibilities de collaboration entre les projets AICCRA et securite alimentaire de Enabel(Report, 2025-06-27) Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa; Agence belge de coopération internationale - EnabelLa réunion a porté sur la collaboration entre AICCRA-Sen et ses partenaires pour améliorer la résilience des agriculteurs face au changement climatique au Sénégal, en mettant l'accent sur l'innovation technologique, la formation des producteurs et la diffusion d'informations climatiques. Les participants ont discuté de l'importance de renforcer les services agricoles, d'inclure les femmes et les jeunes dans le secteur, et de développer des systèmes d'information efficaces pour les agriculteurs. La réunion a également abordé la nécessité d'une synergie entre les différentes initiatives, l'amélioration de la qualité des semences et l'évaluation de l'impact des informations climatiques sur les agriculteurs.Item Rapport de progression des activités de KSDE en partenariat avec le projet AICCRA (2025)(Report, 2025-06-26) Ka, Binetou; Said Layad, Shakira; Diedhiou, Lamine; Worou, NadineFace aux effets croissants du changement climatique, le projet AICCRA-Sénégal (Accélérer les impacts de la recherche climatique du CGIAR pour l’Afrique) renforce les capacités des petits éleveurs et agro-éleveurs via le groupage SIC-AIC (Services d’Information Climatique et pratiques climato-intelligentes). Ce dispositif facilite l’accès à des conseils agro-climatiques sur les prévisions saisonnières, la gestion du fourrage, les maladies animales, l’hygiène laitière, le prix du marché, le confort thermique ou encore les feux de brousse. Une Communauté de Pratique publique-privée co-produit ces services pour une prise de décision éclairée. En collaboration avec la KSDE / Laiterie du Berger, AICCRA soutient les filières laitières du département de Dagana et du bassin de collecte de la LDB, via des formations, alertes précoces et vidéos didactiques diffusées à large échelle par l’APAFIL. L’objectif : accroître la résilience des systèmes d’élevage par l’amélioration de l’accès, la compréhension et l’usage de l’information climatique.Item Jokalante CIS e-Learning Module Development Consultation(Report, 2025-06-26) Hansen, James; Trzaska, Silwia; Kebe, Amy; Seck, Babacar; Fall, Serigne; Thiaw, Moussa; Worou, NadineThis report summarizes a consultation held in May 2025 between Jokalante, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), and ILRI under the AICCRA project, to co-develop an e-learning module on Climate Information Services (CIS) tailored for the Senegalese context. The course aims to strengthen the capacity of agricultural professionals—particularly those with limited formal education—to understand, use, and communicate climate information in support of farmers and pastoralists. The partners agreed to adapt RUFORUM’s “Introduction to Climate Services for Agriculture” curriculum into two versions: a free-access format and a paid, certificate-based version with competency assessments. A SWOT analysis identified key strengths (e.g., strategic partnerships, contextual adaptation), challenges (e.g., market demand, digital access), and opportunities for scaling. The report outlines a roadmap for contextualizing content, piloting the course, and building a sustainable digital learning offer to expand climate literacy among agricultural stakeholders in Senegal.Item Syllabus cours gestion des risques climatiques licence 3(Manual, 2025-06-26) Sow, SadibouThis course aims to equip students to understand and manage the risks associated with climate change, particularly in the Senegalese agricultural context. It covers basic climate concepts, forecasting, decision-making under uncertainty and adaptation strategies. Specific themes include climate communication, gender and livestock farming in the face of climate change. The course adopts an active teaching approach (case studies, simulations, group work) and is assessed by an examination (60%) and a case study (40%). It is part of the ‘Value Chain and Risks’ unit, with a timetable of 15 hours. This module is essential for mastering current climate issues and providing effective support to producers in the face of hazards.Item Ethiopian Agroclimate Advisory Platform (Edacap-V2): Forecast module co-learning with national partners(Report, 2025-06-25) Ahmed, Jemal; Degefie, Tibebe; Desta, Lulseged ; Teshome, Asaminew; Dessalegn, Olika; Grossi, Amanda; Ghosh, AniruddhaThis report presents the outcomes and reflections from the national Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on the Forecast Module of the Ethiopian Digital Agro-Climate Advisory Platform (EDACaP-v2), held from June 16–18, 2025, at the ILRI campus in Addis Ababa. EDACaP is a nationally owned, end-to-end digital system designed to transform complex weather and climate data into timely, localized, and actionable advisories for Ethiopian farmers and agricultural planners. The training brought together technical experts from the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), with support from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the AICCRA project. Over three days, participants engaged in a mix of expert presentations, hands-on technical sessions, and institutional dialogue focused on the operationalization of sub-seasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) forecasts for agricultural decision-making. The training introduced the principles of NextGen climate forecasting, tools for accessing and downscaling multi-model ensembles, integration with DSSAT crop simulation models, and techniques for generating and communicating advisory products. It also facilitated discussions on institutional roles, data readiness, and sustainability strategies. This report documents the technical content, highlights of the discussion, lessons learned, and strategic recommendations aimed at ensuring national ownership, deployment, and long-term scalability of EDACaP’s forecast-based advisory services.Item MALI Scaling week workshop report(Report, 2025-05) Ewell, Hanna Louise Deborah; Marius, Assogba Guy; Ouedraogo, Mathieu; Dossou Yovo, Elliott Ronald; Toure, Haissa; Diabate, Fatoumata; Bengaly, Oumar; Coulibaly, Issouf; Sangare, ModiboThe AICCRA Mali Scaling Week workshop, held from May 5–7, 2025, in Bamako, brought together 38 participants from research, government, and development sectors to explore strategies for responsibly scaling Climate Information Services (CIS) and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) innovations. Through participatory sessions, the workshop deepened participants' understanding of the AICCRA Scaling Framework, encouraged reflection on barriers and enablers of scaling, and promoted systems thinking. The event focused on developing actionable roadmaps for four priority innovation bundles: Climate-Smart Rice Intensification, Integrated Resilient Rice-Fish Systems, Smart-Valley Development, and Inclusive Climate-Smart Rice Processing. Key outcomes included the identification of social and environmental risks, the articulation of responsible scaling pathways, and strengthened collaboration among actors. The workshop reinforced the importance of inclusive, context-specific solutions to achieve sustainable climate resilience and improved livelihoods in Mali.Item Rapport D'atelier de programmation des emissions radiophoniques dans le cadre du projet AICCRA Senegal(Report, 2025-06-26) Diedhiou, Lamine; Ka, Binetou; Dieng, Talla; Worou, NadineL’atelier tenu à Kaolack les 10 et 11 mai 2025 a réuni 19 participants issus des radios communautaires partenaires du projet AICCRA, de l’URAC, du RESOPP et de l’équipe ILRI. Son objectif principal était de planifier la campagne radiophonique 2025, en mettant l’accent sur les pratiques agricoles et pastorales résilientes au climat. Les travaux ont permis de valider une liste de thématiques prioritaires, d’élaborer un calendrier de diffusion, d’harmoniser les outils de suivi des émissions et de clarifier le rôle des clubs d’écoute. Une session de formation a également permis de renforcer les capacités des animateurs sur les conditions d’une émission réussie. L’atelier a mis en lumière les bonnes pratiques, identifié les points d’amélioration et formulé des recommandations concrètes pour améliorer l’impact des émissions à venir.Item AICCRA Partners’ satisfaction survey results for 2024(Report, 2025-03) Giombini, Valentina; Calì, Davide; Schuetz, TonyaAccelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) supports climate-smart agriculture and climate information services through six country teams and thematic clusters. Its 2024 Partners’ Satisfaction and Partnership Efficacy survey collected 417 responses from 227 stakeholders across 12 clusters, achieving a 70% response rate. AICCRA uses this feedback to strengthen partnerships, improve service delivery, and inform performance metrics such as Intermediary Progress Indicator on ‘Use or adaptation of AICCRA-funded climate relevant knowledge products, decision-making tools and services confirmed by surveyed partners and stakeholders. The survey assessed 46 AICCRA services, reporting an average usage rate of 84% and a satisfaction score of 88%. Services were perceived as demand-driven by 67% of respondents. Capacity strengthening (43% of services) reached over 70,000 people, while tools and technologies (35%) reached nearly 9,000. Technical assistance (22%) scored highest in satisfaction (90%). The survey also indicated improved integration of climate-smart Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) (87%). The multilingual survey supports citizen engagement and captures diverse perspectives across Africa's climate resilience landscape.Item Partnering for Impact: Jameel Observatory’s 5th Annual Community of Practice on Anticipatory Action in Africa's Drylands(Report, 2025-05-30) Grossi, Amanda; Ahmed, Jemal Seid; Degefie, Degefie Tibebe; Demissie, TeferiIn May 2025, the Jameel Observatory held its fifth Community of Practice workshop—its first ever in Ethiopia—at ILRI in Addis Ababa. With support from the AICCRA project, which helped convene key national stakeholders, the workshop focused on advancing early warning and anticipatory action for dryland resilience. The event aligned closely with AICCRA’s Theme 4 on Climate Information Services, emphasizing equitable access to climate data, capacity-building for next users, and inclusion of pastoralist communities. Over 100 participants engaged across sessions exploring resilience, forecasts, locally led action, and data use. Two featured sessions examined Ethiopia’s role in the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative and explored the role of capacity development in advancing locally led adaptation. The event reinforced AICCRA’s goals to strengthen national and regional systems, promote anticipatory action, and empower advisory service providers to make climate information actionable across Africa’s drylands.Item Report on the introduction of Climate Information Services (CIS) within the AGNES leadership course(Report, 2025-04-02) Gamoyo, Majambo; Seid, Jemal; Koech, Grace; Grossi, Amanda; Ghosh, AniruddhaItem Rapport de validation du programme d'accélération de l'élevage sensible au genre-chaine de valeur lait(Report, 2025-06-24) Siagbe, Golli; Derenoncourt, Marie Ena Pascale; Atadokpede, Marine; Ouedraogo, IssaThe implementation of an acceleration program requires a participatory and inclusive approach to determining objectives, business selection criteria, and training content, as well as identifying opportunities for collaboration. For the Gender Smart Livestock Accelerator (GSLA), led by the Alliance Bioversity & CIAT Alliance in collaboration with ILRI under the AICCRA program, the program design was finalized through a one-day validation workshop attended by nearly 30 resource persons. This workshop refined the program’s objectives, areas of intervention, training content, and potential partnerships for delivering training and financing companies. Prior to the workshop, stakeholder consultations were held from the last quarter of 2024 until April 2025, to gather their opinions on the program, identify the training modules, and define collaboration areas. Participants in the program include Individuals, Sole Proprietorships, Single-member, Limited Liability Company, Cooperatives, and Economic Interest Groups operating throughout the dairy value chain. The selected training modules are: Technical modules: · Climate change, climate-smart agriculture—climate information service related to livestock farming. · Animal health. · Feeding. · Good practices (milk quality, processing, and storage). · Circular economy. Business development and leadership modules: · Leadership · Business management, simplified accounting/market access/calculation/pricing · Business creation (formalization process). · Financial intermediation. · Awareness of existing policies and programs supporting livestock farming in Senegal. · Guide for women entrepreneurs. · Organizational dynamics. The key recommendation is to foster effective collaboration between livestock sector stakeholders and financial institutions to ensure high-quality training and improved access to finance by the end of the program.Item Harmonizing Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) Curricula Targeting Livestock Systems(Report, 2025-04-05) Grossi, Amanda; Borthwick, Fiona; Simm, Geoff; Menéndez, Martín Del Valle; Worou, Nadine; Crane, Todd; Belay, Berhanu; Hansen, JamesThis report presents the outcomes of a regional harmonization workshop held in Nairobi in April 2024 to adapt the Climate Risk Management in Agriculture Education (CRMAE) curriculum for livestock systems across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Senegal. Bringing together meteorological agencies, research institutions, universities, regional institutions, and grassroots and development organizations representing and working with pastoralists, the workshop aimed to align climate risk management competencies and learning outcomes with the realities of pastoralist communities. Through participatory exercises, discussions, and diagnostic tools, the workshop identified key knowledge gaps and opportunities for contextualizing training, integrating local and indigenous knowledge, and improving access to climate information services (CIS). Tools like KAZNET, EDACaP, and WENDOU were examined for their potential in bridging CIS with extension services, while challenges such as digital access, trust, and coordination were discussed. The workshop culminated in consensus on a harmonized set of core competencies and next steps for co-developing localized curriculum materials, thereby strengthening climate-resilient extension for pastoralist systems in East and West Africa.Item Cost-Benefit Analysis for Climate Information Services: Training for County Directors of Meteorological Services (CDMS)(Report, 2025-03-31) Murage, Paul; Braun, Mélody; Smith Ruiz, Paulina; Mwai, Zacharia; Kimani, Margaret; Kangila, Isaac; Muriuki, Edward; Chemaiyo, Pascaline; Kramer, BerberThis report summarizes the findings of a 3-day training program for eighteen (18) Kenyan Meteorological Department County Directors of Meteorological Services (CDMS), on Cost Benefit Analysis for Climate Information Services (CBA for CIS), in Nakuru, Kenya on March 12-14th 2025. The program was jointly organized by the “Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa” (AICCRA) program and the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR) at the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). The training aimed at building the capacity of CDMS to think critically through ways to quantify and evaluate the monetary and non-monetary costs and benefits of the climate information services developed in their counties, with a strong focus on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI). Training materials built on an online training conducted by IFPRI, AICCRA and the CGIAR Gender Platform in November and December 2024, and were tailored to the CDMS context during a validation workshop held on March 10th and 11th, 2025.Item Training Workshop on RiceAdvice Lite for NARES and Private Sector: Delivering Site-Specific Rice Recommendations in Mali(Report, 2025-05) Suh, Neville; Ahouantan, Kokou; Dossou-Yovo, ElliottRice plays a vital role in Mali’s food security and rural employment, but production faces growing challenges from climate variability, poor soil fertility, and limited farmer capacity to adopt climate-smart practices. The AICCRA Mali project addresses these challenges by promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) tools such as RiceAdvice Lite to improve sustainable rice production. In 2025, AICCRA conducted two capacity-building sessions, training three Extension Officers and 16 Field Assistants from NARES, private sector, and multiple regions in generating site-specific fertilizer recommendations using RiceAdvice Lite. A total of 19 trainers of trainers, including six women, were equipped to support lead farmers, strengthen institutional capacity, and ensure the long-term adoption of CSA and climate information services in Mali.