Scaling Profile Scaling climate-smart innovations in Senegal From vision to action: Pathways, progress and prospects for resilient agriculture November 2025 Key messages ◼ Since 2021, over 1.2 million farmers and value chain actors have accessed climate- smart agriculture (CSA) technologies and climate information services (CIS), proving the potential of bundled innovations to build resilience. This achievement demonstrates the viability of scaling climate-smart innovations through institutional partnerships and bundled approaches that combine improved seeds, soil management, livestock practices, and climate forecasts. ◼ Sustainability is driven by embedding CSA and CIS into national systems (ANACIM, ANCAR, CERAAS, MASAE) and digital platforms like the AgDataHub and iSAT while ensuring inclusive access through radio, training, and curricula. ◼ Scaling efforts in Senegal emphasize responsible, gender-responsive, and participatory pathways, with communities, women, and youth engaged through tailored services, finance, and hybrid communication systems. Country overview and context Senegal’s climate is marked by high variability and increasing extremes, posing growing risks to agriculture. The country lies in a transition zone between tropical and Sahelian climates, meaning rainfall is uneven in time and space, and rising temperatures intensify evapotranspiration and drought stress [1]. Because agriculture remains a backbone of the economy—employing over 70 % of the active population and contributing around 15 % of GDP [2] —these climatic pressures translate directly into rural vulnerability, food insecurity, and income volatility. Low levels of financial access, limited irrigation (less than 5 % of land), and weak infrastructure constrain farmers’ adaptive capacity [3]. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is increasingly championed in Senegal as a pathway to resilience. The World Bank estimates that robust climate adaptation could add at least 2 % to Senegal’s GDP by 2030 while reducing climate-induced poverty by 40 % [4]. The Senegal scaling vision By the end of 2023, AICCRA Senegal’s scaling vision aimed to positively impact more than 300,000 farmers and value chain actors through climate-informed agro-advisories, strengthened climate information services (CIS), and bundled climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies [5]. The vision was embedded in SENEGAL 2050 NATIONAL AGENDA OF TRANSFORMATION, which emphasizes climate adaptation and resilience. Scaling approaches are implemented through partnerships with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NARES)— including ANACIM, ANCAR, DIREL (MASAE) and CERAAS—as well as private sector actors. Demonstration plots and technology parks provide entry points for participatory learning on improved crop varieties, soil fertility management, fodder AICCRA INFO NOTE 2 production, and bundled agro-advisories that integrate seasonal forecasts, rainfall onset and cessation, and dry-spell predictions. Scaling also leverages mass media such as community radio, agri-tech platforms, and tailored training curricula to broaden reach in inclusive and cost-effective ways. Three outcomes are central: farmers and pastoralists adopting CSA practices supported by CIS; value chain actors offering climate-smart inputs and services; and improved institutional performance through digital platforms like AgDataHub and SAIDA. Together, these pathways embed CSA and CIS within Senegal’s agricultural systems, enabling sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient growth (see figure 1 below). Figure 1. AICCRA Senegal scaling framework (Whitbread et al., 2023) Senegal’s scaling strategy was anchored in the three-way partnership between the national agencies which have the mandates for climate and meteorology (ANACIM), agricultural extension (ANCAR), and agronomic and crop research (CERAAS). This was accelerated further by the broad outreach of the private sector (Jokalante, an agri-tech partner) compounded with the national digital platform (SAIDA app with a potential reach of 84,000 producers) managed by ANCAR and FAO and mass media (radio broadcast) to utilize diverse dissemination pathways to reach a greater scale. Scaling Pathways and Mechanisms The scaling pathways in Senegal since 2023 are built on strong partnerships between ANACIM (climate services), ANCAR (extension), and CERAAS (research). Private sector partners such as Jokalante complement these efforts with digital tools, while the SAIDA platform links public and private actors. Mass media, including rural radio and voice messages in local languages, extend reach to remote communities. This layered approach has enabled Senegal to pursue effective institutionalization of its approaches in ways that secure sustainability beyond project closure. In Senegal, AICCRA scales innovations by applying the following approaches: 1) participatory CIS-CSA innovations through the installation of demonstration sites, farmer field schools and larger ‘technology parks’ across initially three regions, allowing farmers, lead farmers, and extension agents to have direct access to technical advice and skills on best production practices in crop production (millet, groundnut, and cowpea) as well as across livestock production to boost the milk and meat value chains [6]; 2) Community-based and multi-stakeholder processes, such as a livestock feed community of practice (CoP). The CoP brings together 14 institutions to develop climate services tailored to livestock farmers [7]. This platform has made it possible to reach more than 78,000 agro-pastoralists through appropriate channels such as rural radio and voice messages in local languages, with the support of the WENDOU tool developed by the Ecological Monitoring Centre (CSE) through its NASA SERVIR-AO program. Concrete results include improved pastoral practices and reduced animal losses during periods of drought. The CoP model, recognised for its effectiveness, is currently being integrated into the national strategy via the PRAPS2 project, with the aim of reaching 3 million beneficiaries 2) strengthening partnerships through technology (iSAT, rain gauges, analytic tools, and models) transfer and exchange between an international research consortium with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems and the private sector to enhance capacities and upgrade existing CIS platforms. The Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE), for example, is being integrated into the formal extension education system. After training 75 agents and 20 trainers from 16 Ministry of Agriculture AICCRA INFO NOTE 3 institutions, the program was institutionalized in two universities - Université du Sine- Saloum El Hadji Ibrahima Niass (USSEIN) and Université Alioune Diop de Bambey (UADB) - and 16 vocational training centres, with the creation of four new bachelor's and master's degree courses [8]; 3) developing an “AgDataHub” for public and private extension and farmer organizations engaged in the co-production of tailored agro- advisory for farmers to have access to live climate data, and linking it to agricultural extension as well as the existing SAIDA platform for broader dissemination [9]; 4) AICCRA collaborates closely with national partners to provide targeted agricultural and climate advice. At the national level, this strategy relies on a broad partnership with farmers organizations which act as next-users and are a crucial pillar for disseminating the approaches, techniques, and climate change adaptation options developed through AICCRA. The next-users have established innovations and close ties for implementing capacity building for resilience and adaptation to climate change [10]; and 5) increased access to markets and finance by bringing in funding opportunities for women through the Gender Accelerator Program to develop capacities of women-led businesses in upscaling process of CSA technologies and practices [11] and building capacities of cooperatives in seeds marketing [12] . Learnings from overcoming scaling challenges Since 2021, AICCRA Senegal has accumulated valuable experience on how climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and climate information services (CIS) can be effectively scaled in diverse farming systems. One of the most important lessons has been the necessity of embedding climate services within local institutions. Early in the project, it became evident that short-term pilots could not guarantee sustainability. By integrating the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) module into the curricula of universities such as USSEIN and UADB, as well as 16 vocational training centers, AICCRA ensured that future extension officers and agricultural professionals would carry climate risk management knowledge into their careers. This institutional anchoring demonstrated that embedding climate solutions into formal systems is essential for long-term resilience. Another key lesson emerged from the Community of Practice (CoP) model. The livestock-focused CoP, which linked 14 institutions and directly reached 78,000 agro-pastoralists, proved that multi-actor collaboration enables innovations to be adapted to local needs. By delivering weather and advisory information in Wolof and Pulaar through accessible channels such as rural radios and voice messaging, the CoP helped reduce livestock losses during drought. The lesson here is that when farmer organizations, extension agencies, and research institutions co-own the process, the services become more legitimate, trusted, and impactful. However, sustaining CoPs requires ongoing institutional support and financing to avoid fragmentation once external funding winds down. Scaling efforts also revealed that digital and media ecosystems are most effective when blended with traditional channels. Platforms like SAIDA (developed with ANCAR and FAO), the AgDataHub, and partnerships with Jokalante expanded digital outreach to more than 84,000 producers. Yet it was the complementary use of rural radio networks under URAC, combined with SMS and voice messages, that ensured inclusivity for farmers with low literacy or limited digital access. This reinforced the lesson that technology alone is insufficient; hybrid systems that merge high-tech tools with community-based communication reach the widest audience. A fourth lesson lies in the importance of bundled CSA and CIS interventions. Farmers engaged through demonstration plots and technology parks consistently preferred receiving integrated packages—such as improved millet seed coupled with seasonal rainfall forecasts and soil fertility guidance—over single interventions. Bundling provided immediate value and practical decision- making support, leading to higher uptake. The implication for future scaling is that bundling should remain a guiding principle, even though it AICCRA INFO NOTE 4 requires careful coordination among extension services, input suppliers, and financial institutions. Finally, Senegal’s experience showed that gender- sensitive approaches are indispensable. Women’s participation in CSA scaling was strengthened through targeted programs such as the Gender Accelerator, which linked women to finance, markets, and innovations, and through the deliberate formation of radio listener groups that engaged women in climate discussions. The evidence is clear: gender-targeted entry points significantly enhance both reach and empowerment. Moreover, gender and youth inequities persist, with women and younger farmers often excluded from access to inputs, credit, and advisory services. This highlights the need for gender responsiveness not as an optional add-on, but as a systematic element with dedicated resources and accountability mechanisms. Coordination across diverse actors—including government agencies, farmer organizations, private sector firms, and research institutions— remains complex and often fragmented. Many innovations are piloted in isolation, which limits coherence and scalability. Sustaining hubs, tools, and platforms beyond project cycles poses another barrier, with financial resources and institutional ownership still fragile. Digital literacy and infrastructure constraints, particularly in rural areas, restrict the effectiveness of mobile-based CIS delivery. Institutionalizing CSA/CIS within national frameworks requires ongoing effort, especially in aligning climate solutions with extension systems and local governance structures. The challenge also lies in translating climate data into actionable advice and ensuring that bundles of seeds, finance, inputs, and services are both affordable and accessible to smallholders Taken together, these lessons underscore that AICCRA Senegal’s success lies not only in the innovations introduced but in the way they were institutionalized, co-produced, bundled, communicated, and made inclusive. The experience has provided a clear blueprint: sustainable scaling requires systemic embedding, participatory design, multi-channel delivery, integration of technical and institutional innovations, and a deliberate focus on equity. Opportunities for scaling Despite these challenges, significant opportunities exist for Senegal to scale CSA and CIS more effectively. The ‘Scaling Week’ held in February 2025 highlighted the potential of bundled innovations—combining climate information, improved crop varieties, animal feed hubs, and financial services—to generate real farmer uptake and resilience. The district-level hub model provides a replicable structure for anchoring these solutions closer to communities while fostering synergies among public and private partners. Integration of CSA into curricula of institutions such as ANCAR ensures that knowledge continues to circulate within the national advisory system. Partnerships with regional bodies like CORAF and development programs supported by the World Bank create avenues for resource mobilization and technical reinforcement. The expansion of radio-based advisories and digital platforms such as Jokalante offers scalable communication channels, especially when localized in farmers’ languages. Leveraging cooperatives and women’s groups also enhances social buy-in. These opportunities position Senegal to deepen farmer trust, expand reach, and create sustainable pathways for scaling. Figure 2. Community meeting to ‘downscale’ the AgDataHub outcomes to local level realities (ILRI/Lamine Diedhiou) ‘Responsible Scaling’ as a guiding principle Responsible scaling was emphasized during the Scaling Week workshop as critical to ensuring that innovations in Senegal do not inadvertently exacerbate inequalities or environmental risks. The workshop underscored four dimensions: AICCRA INFO NOTE 5 anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion, and responsiveness. Anticipation involves identifying possible unintended outcomes, such as benefits being captured mainly by wealthier farmers. Reflexivity requires researchers and practitioners to examine their own assumptions and biases, ensuring that scaling pathways remain context- sensitive. Inclusion demands deliberate engagement of women, youth, and marginalized groups, as well as adaptation of CIS into local languages and delivery methods accessible to low-literacy farmers. Finally, responsiveness means that innovations and institutions must adapt iteratively as new challenges emerge. Participants highlighted that successful scaling will depend on socio-technical bundles, where climate information is delivered alongside seeds, inputs, financial tools, and farmer-to-farmer learning mechanisms. This holistic approach ensures that scaling is not just about numbers reached, but about embedding equitable, sustainable, and socially responsible systems of change. Ways Forward Building on early gains, Senegal’s AICCRA work is poised to deepen impact by anchoring innovations in systems, scaling out proven bundles, and widening participation. First, there is a strong imperative to embed climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and climate information services (CIS) into national policy and extension systems. To move forward, demonstration plots and technology parks should be expanded across more regions, especially beyond the three key regions used so far, to ensure geographic and agro- ecological diversity. Furthermore, future scaling should systematically include bundles that address barriers around finance, input access, and localized advisory. Third, strengthening the digital and media ecosystems, especially through platforms like the AgDataHub and SAIDA, promises larger reach. These platforms, when connected via APIs and supported by local languages and multimedia content, can help ensure that climate advisories are timely, actionable, and accessible to low- literacy or remote farming communities. Fourth, institutional capacity and partnerships must expand. Capacity-building for extension workers, researchers, and private sector actors should deepen, especially around climate risk management and co-innovation. Regional and subnational actors must be better supported to co-design solutions, monitor results, and iterate implementation. Initiatives such as science-policy dialogues, participatory valuation, and gender & nutrition-sensitive technology fairs (e.g. MITA) offer useful templates. Finally, financing and sustainability deserve more focused strategy. To sustain hubs, platforms, and innovations beyond project cycles, Senegal should explore public budget commitments, results-based financing, private sector co-investment, and blended finance tools. Monitoring frameworks should track not just reach but equity, environmental impact, gender outcomes, and sustained behavior change. References [1]. “Climate-Smart Agriculture in Senegal,” World Bank / Climate Knowledge Portal CSA profile. https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sit es/default/files/2019- 06/SENEGAL_CSA_Profile.pdf?utm_source=chatgp t.com [2]. Senegal | UNDP Climate Change Adaptation [3]. FP262: Green Climate Finance Facility for Fostering Climate-Smart Agriculture in Senegal | Green Climate Fund [4]. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press- release/2024/11/05/climate-action-essential-to- senegal-upper-middle-income-country- aspiration?utm_source=chatgpt.com [5]. AICCRA County Vision- Senegal [6]. Senegalese Farmers Embrace Climate-Smart Agricultural Innovations in AICCRA Project [7]. Community of Practice (CoP) on climate informed advisory services for livestock farmers: The process of co-development and dissemination in Senegal | AICCRA [8]. 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Integration of national Ag-Data Hubs with advisory platforms expands reach and services for over 250,000 farmers - CGIAR [10] LE PARTENARIAT INTERINSTITUTIONNEL EFFICACE POUR LA MISE À L’ÉCHELLE DES SERVICES D’INFORMATION CLIMATIQUE ET L’AGRICULTURE INTELLIGENTE FACE AU CLIMAT [11]. AICCRA Senegal launch gender-smart accelerator challenge | AICCRA [12] Sénégal : les semences climato-intelligentes séduisent les producteurs | APAnews - Agence de Presse Africaine This series of InfoNotes summarizes the lessons learned, current scaling mechanisms and pathways from each AICCRA country cluster, identifies the scaling challenges and opportunities, responsible scaling opportunities and ways forward. This InfoNote is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-ND 4.0). For more information about this license visit creativecommons.org/licenses About the Authors Hanna Ewell is a Research Specialist at the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT where she coordinates scaling efforts across six AICCRA countries and promotes responsible scaling approaches that balance social and environmental outcomes. Angelica Barlis is a Research Specialist at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, serving as AICCRA Science Officer where she supports program governance, monitoring and advancement of climate information services to help farmers adapt and thrive in the face of climate change. Nadine Omonlola Worou is Scientific Coordinator with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Lamine Diedhiou is Communications Officer for AICCRA with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Abdrahmane Wane is Regional Director for West and Central Africa at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and cluster lead for AICCRA Senegal. Robert Zougmore is a principal scientist at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, serving as current Director of the AICCRA Program https://www.cgiar.org/research/publication/integration-national-ag-data-hubs-advisory-platforms-expands-reach-services-250000-farmers/ https://www.cgiar.org/research/publication/integration-national-ag-data-hubs-advisory-platforms-expands-reach-services-250000-farmers/ https://www.cgiar.org/research/publication/integration-national-ag-data-hubs-advisory-platforms-expands-reach-services-250000-farmers/ https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/2e9bbed2-79dd-4e51-8733-49143d957f95 https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/2e9bbed2-79dd-4e51-8733-49143d957f95 https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/2e9bbed2-79dd-4e51-8733-49143d957f95 https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/2e9bbed2-79dd-4e51-8733-49143d957f95 https://aiccra.cgiar.org/news/aiccra-senegal-launch-gender-smart-accelerator-challenge https://aiccra.cgiar.org/news/aiccra-senegal-launch-gender-smart-accelerator-challenge https://fr.apanews.net/news/senegal-les-semences-climato-intelligentes-seduisent-les-producteurs/ https://fr.apanews.net/news/senegal-les-semences-climato-intelligentes-seduisent-les-producteurs/ https://fr.apanews.net/news/senegal-les-semences-climato-intelligentes-seduisent-les-producteurs/