INFONOTE DECEMBER 2022 Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies and innovations in West and Central Africa through regional spillover mechanisms Experiences from CORAF and way forward Alcade C. Segnon | Esdras Obossou | Niéyidouba Lamien | Robert B. Zougmoré Key messages • Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) • CSA innovation pitches and B2B approaches have technologies and innovations is essential to created awareness and resulted in a high level address climate change impacts in agriculture of interest in CSA technologies beyond AICCRA and food systems in West Africa. anchored countries. • Through engagement with existing regional • Regional engagement and consultation has led institutions such as CORAF, AICCRA piloted to the adoption of CSA institutional innovations innovative approaches to scaling up CSA in Central Africa. The regional Science-Policy technologies and innovations in West Africa, dialogue platform, an institutional innovation for including innovation pitching, business-to-business mainstreaming CSA into agricultural development (B2B) talk, and regional consultation workshops. plans and investments, is formalized in the Central African region based on the experience of West African Alliance for CSA and the national science- policy dialogue platforms in West Africa. • Regional Science-Policy dialogue platforms are potential channels through which regional organizations can express their demands for CSA technologies in different countries. • As CSA technologies are increasingly reaching more countries, there is a further need to monitor the extent to which the intentions and interests are translated into concrete actions at national and regional level. Background and regional level across Africa to scale up proven CSA options to reach millions of smallholder Climate change remains a major threat to farmers in Africa. AICCRA works in six countries agriculture and food systems in West Africa, in two regions: East and Southern Africa (Ethiopia, resulting in reduced crop productivity and Kenya and Zambia) and West Africa (Senegal, incomes, increased livestock mortality and price Ghana, and Mali). Through collaboration and shocks, reduced availability of fodder and pasture, engagement with the West and Central African and reduced fisheries catches and livelihoods (Carr Council for Agricultural Research (CORAF), AICCRA et al., 2022; Trisos et al., 2022). Addressing these West Africa cluster has been working to scale up challenges will require a large-scale expansion CSA technologies in West and Central Africa. The of climate resilient approaches in agriculture and purpose of this Info Note is to provide a synthesis food systems. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) of AICCRA engagement to scaling-up CSA beyond holds the promise of optimizing food system AICCRA-anchored countries through CORAF-led sustainability by improving agricultural spillover events. productivity, increasing adaptation, and reducing carbon footprints (Lipper et al., 2014; Totin et al., By scaling up CSA, we mean packaging and 2018). Despite multiple interventions in recent widely dissemination of evidenced CSA practices, years to promote CSA, the adoption of CSA technologies and institutional options to influence technologies remains low in West Africa (Partey large-scale (e.g. national, regional) investment et al., 2018). The low uptake of CSA technologies plans, mainstreaming institutional changes, and/or calls for concerted efforts and innovations informing policies (Aggarwal et al., 2018; Kpadonou to effectively scale up CSA technologies. et al., 2022). One of the main conditions for successful scaling up of CSA, and also an integral Building on 50 years of CGIAR research and part of the AICCRA strategy, is the building of innovation, the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR appropriate partnerships with various regional Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project has organizations for sustainable implementation of been working with various partners at national specific theory of change for scaling (Campbell et al., 2023; Sseguya et al., 2022). These partnerships can be formal or informal, but they fundamentally involve an agreement between the partners to work together towards a common goal, and through specific pathways with each partner mobilizing and contributing complementary resources (Campbell et al., 2023). We present three cases of CORAF-led events where CSA technologies and innovations have been promoted for large-scale dissemination and uptake. We used data collected during the three events to illustrate how AICCRA engagement has contributed to disseminating CSA technologies and innovations across countries and regions. Each event brought together various stakeholders with different profiles from different countries in West and Central Africa. Data were collected through a short survey administered to participants after they were exposed to the events. Their intentions and how they intent to use the new knowledge gained from the events were also assessed. 2 • A I C C R A I N FON O T E Case 1: Using business pitching to scale up CSA innovations FIGURE 1: Categories of participants in the side event at the CORAF Symposium in Cotonou, Benin In collaboration with country clusters (Ghana, Mali and Senegal), AICCRA West Africa cluster organized a side event during the Symposium 6% on the State of Agricultural Research in West 5% and Central Africa organized by CORAF. The 32% symposium was held in Cotonou from July 19 to 14% 21, 2022 and brought together 107 participants from 19 CORAF member countries (Benin, Chad, Burkina-Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea- Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Gambia, Gabon, Congo) with a strong representation (43%) of National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARS). 43% Other participants represented universities and research laboratories, the private sector and civil Universities/Research Labs NARS society, CGIAR Centres, and Intergovernmental CGIAR Centers and others Private sector/ agencies (Figure 1). Inter/Governmental Entities Enterprises The side event was organized to showcase the achievements and lessons learned in scaling up demonstrated as feasible and effective CSA proven CSA and climate information services in options for various agricultural value chains in AICCRA-anchored countries in West Africa. The West Africa, focusing on dry land cereals and objective was to share knowledge and information livestock in Senegal, rice-based systems in Mali on technologies and practices that have been and roots and tubers in Ghana. To achieve this, TABLE 1: Potential CSA options for scaling AICCRA-anchored countries Countries CSA Innovation Description Improved seeds Stress tolerant crop varieties (drought tolerant, early maturing, striga tolerant, pest and disease tolerance, and low N tolerance) Ghana Enhanced biopesticide and Biological soil and seed treatment (neem extract); Phytoseids to control biocontrol use red spider mites; Beauveria bassiana to control Enhanced organic fertilizer use BSF technology for organic waste and Farmyard Manure Management Rice Advice Android-based app that provides farm-specific advice on rice management practices Smart Valleys Low-cost, and bottom-up approach for water control in inland valleys Gem Parboiler Improved rice parboiling technique which produces rice of high Mali physical and nutritional quality A DSS for rice-based system Automated approach for mapping inland valleys with their suitability development and ecosystem for rice-based systems development services preservation in lowlands Drought and submergence NERICA L-19 sub1, and WITA-4 sub1, tolerant to submergence for 7 tolerant rice varieties weeks. NERICA4 and ARICA18 tolerant to drought Improved management of live- Formulating feed from locally available harvest residues and grazing to stock in the dry season improve meat (sheep and cattle) and milk (cattle) production Integrating CSA and CIS CSA packages deployed supported with seasonal yield forecasting: Examples include combining pearl millet and groundnut cultivars with ISFM approach; Technology parks to promote adapted improved varie- Senegal ties of millet, groundnut, and cowpea compared to local variety as well as different production techniques Ag-Data-Hub Platform to integrate climate data into agriculture decision-making Intelligent Agricultural Systems Dissemination of site-specific weekly agro-advisory (late June - Sept) Advisory Tool (ISAT) based on the seasonal and in-season rainfall forecast 3 • A I C C R A I N FON O T E FIGURE 2: Knowledge gained by participants after being exposed to the side event Others General Knowledge 3.1 Mechanisms for Scaling-up CSA technologies 20 Climate Information Services and Tools 12.3 Existing Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies/Initiatives 60 Climate Smart Agriculture: Concept and Pillars 29.2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 FIGURE 3: Participants’ interests to CSA technologies and innovations presented Rice Advice Mobile App 35.4% GEM Parboiler 33.8% Ag-data-Hub 30.8% Intelligent Agricultural Systems Advisory Tool (ISAT) 27.7% Smart-Valleys 27.7% Improved Seeds 27.7% Drought Tolerant Rice Varieties 15.4% DSS for rice-based system development and ecosystem services preservation in lowlands 6.2% Enhanced biopesticide and biocontrol use 4.61% Enhanced organic fertilizer use 3.07% 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 AICCRA WA organized three CSA innovation The second outcome relates to the interest pitches specific to AICCRA-anchored countries and intentions of participants to scale up CSA and a panel discussion with the three regional technologies. CSA technologies and innovations institutions (AGRHYMET, CORAF and WASCAL). which received the high interests included Rice Each pitch provided an overview of a range of Advice (35.4%), GEM Parboiler (33.8%), Ag-data- proven technologies and innovations for scaling Hub (30.8%), the Intelligent Agricultural Systems and the benefits (Table 1). Advisory Tool (27.7%), the Smart Valley (27.7%), improved seeds (27.7%), drought tolerant rice Three key outcomes resulted from CSA innovation varieties (15.4%) (Figure 3). pitches. First, CSA Innovation Pitching has provided participants with a good understanding and The third outcome of the side event is related to knowledge of existing CSA technologies and the steps participants will take to translate their initiatives (60%), CSA concept (29.2%), mechanisms intentions to scale up CSA technologies into for scaling-up CSA technologies (20%) and the concrete actions. Overall, 30.70% of the participants existing Climate Information Services and Tools committed to mainstreaming the new knowledge (12.3%) (Figure 2). gained on CSA concept, technologies and 4 • A I C C R A I N FON O T E FIGURE 4: Scaling actions proposed by participants Mainstreaming of CSA technologies into existing adaptation initiatives 30.70% Awareness creation on CSA and CIS through seminar, conference and workshop 32.30% Agriculture Extension and Education of local actors and end users on CSA 20.00% Partnership development with AICCRA for Technologies Scaling Up 15.40% Proposal/Reorientation/Development of CSA research projects 12.30% Testing and usage of CSA Technologies 6.20% Set-up an innovation platform around CSA 4.60% 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 innovations into local/country adaptation initiatives villages approach, GEM Parboiler, Improved Crop (Figure 4). Over 32.30% of the participants plan to varieties. The buy-in session consisted of bilateral carry out awareness creation activities to introduce (B2B) discussions between AICCRA and potential CSA technologies and CIS to a wide range of buyers to enable the latter to select the technologies stakeholders. At the same time, 20% of the and innovations they intend to purchase. stakeholders plan to design and implement an extension education program on CSA targeting Overall, the B2B discussions allowed AICCRA end-users. Moreover, 15.40% intent to partner to potentially sell three of its CSA innovations with AICCRA to receive support for scaling up CSA (Climate-Smart Village approach, GEM Parboiler technologies within their institution and country. and Improved Cowpea varieties) to four countries including The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, and Cameroon. Case 2: Scaling CSA Innovations through B2B marketing Case 3: Scaling up institutional CSA The Market for Agricultural Innovation and innovation through a regional Technology (MITA) event was held in Dakar from consultation workshop: Regional 02-05 November 2022 with the purpose of support science-policy dialogue platform to the promotion of access and scaling up of drive scaling agricultural technologies and innovations in West and Central Africa. The event brought together This section highlights the potential role of science- 188 participants of diverse profiles including policy dialogue in supporting the scaling up of CSA researchers, academics, extension, technology technologies beyond AICCRA countries. As part of developers, enterprise and private sectors. During the support to regional agricultural policies in West the event, AICCRA, through the West Africa cluster, and Central Africa, CORAF organized from 29 to 31 as a CSA innovation and technologies provider had March 2022 (in Lomé, Togo) a regional consultation opportunity to market CSA technologies and workshop to launch the Alliance for CSA in Central innovations to increase buy in through a “business Africa, a regional Science-Policy-Dialogue Platform, to business” (B2B) marketing. This has involved at which is an institutional CSA innovation for the first stage the sensitization and the awareness mainstreaming evidence-based CSA knowledge creation on CSA technologies. The CSA technologies into agricultural development programs and presented by AICCRA included: Climate-smart policies as well as coordinating demands for CSA 5 • A I C C R A I N FON O T E technologies to be scaled up. The workshop, and innovations in West Africa. Capitalizing on held in a hybrid format, and brought together the experience of WACSAA through AICCRA, the 79 stakeholders (Table 2). workshop has resulted in the establishment of an Alliance for CSA in Central Africa. The workshop has The regional workshop was an opportunity to further enabled AICCRA to identify appropriate CSA revitalize the West Africa Alliance for CSA (WACSAA1). technologies in response to the demands of the The WACSAA which was set up in June 2015 with two regional CSA alliances (West Africa and Central 17 member countries and supported by CCAFS Africa) that will be scaled up through a policy and later by AICCRA aims to promote capacity dialogue platform. The technologies identified development and awareness of CSA technologies are summarized in the Table 3. TABLE 2: Regional Workshop participants No Categories Stakeholders list 1 National and Regional authorities ECOWAS, UEMOA, ECCAS, CEMAC, CILSS 2 Financial Partners EU, IFAD, EBID, BOAD, ADB, USAID, AFD, SDC 3 Technical partners CNS/CRS/CE FAO, IITA, ICRISAT, AICCRA, WAVE, BIMAF, CSAO 4 Civil society AFAO, WILDAF, OXFAM 5 Operational Partners CSA Alliances, UNFCCC Focal Points, CAADP-XP Project Focal Points, NIPSAN/PDAA teams and the RPOs (ROPPA, PROPAC, RBM, APESS, CORET, PANEPAO) TABLE 3: Knowledge and Technologies Identified for each region West Africa Region Central Africa Region • Adjusting agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries calendars • Biodiversity conservation options • Good agricultural practices • Soil rehabilitation • Sustainable land management • Agroforestry/Reforestation • High-yielding varieties adapted to drought, warming and • Cropping calendar adjustment pest pressure (excluding GMOs and hybrids) • High-yielding varieties • Water conservation measures for food production • Improved pasture management CONCLUDING REMARKS The development of a strategy for scaling up Moreover, as CSA technologies and innovations research results is essential to make a significant are increasingly reaching more countries, it is contribution to increasing sustainable agricultural important to monitor the extent to which the productivity, improving food security and reducing behavioral change expressed by users’ (e.g., poverty. The three case studies of CORAF-led intentions and interests) in CSA technologies are events provided evidence of the potential spillover translated into concrete actions and adoption mechanisms of CSA technologies beyond AICCRA- at the country and regional level. Outreach and anchored countries. innovation support efforts are also needed to increase interest in CSA technologies, especially Scaling up strategies that have contributed to this those that are little sought after despite their change include innovation pitching, business to transformative potential. Participatory approaches business (B2B) through the regional market, and a to identifying barriers to innovation across the regional consultation that led to the establishment context are also necessary to provide adequate of a regional Alliance for CSA in Central Africa. Such support for greater impact. actions should be continued by AICCRA and its partner organizations in order to increase the spillover effects. 6 • A I C C R A I N FON O T E LIST OF ACRONYMS ADB African Development Bank IFAD International Funds for Agricultural Development AFAO Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations NIPSAN National Program for Agricultural Investment AFD French Development Agency and Food and Nutritional Security APESS Association for the Promotion of Livestock PANEPAO Regional platform of non-state actors in fisheries in the Sahel and Savannah and aquaculture in West Africa BOAD West African Development Bank PDDAA Comprehensive Africa Agriculture CAADP-XP Development Program The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme ex-Pillar 4 PROPAC Regional Platform of Peasant Organizations CEMAC of Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa ROPPA Network of Farmers’ and Producers’ CILSS Organizations of West Africa Permanent Interstate Committee for drought control in the Sahel SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation CORET Confederation of Traditional Livestock UEMOA West African Economic and Monetary Union Organizations in Africa UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on CSAO Sahel and West Africa Club Climate Change EBID ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development USAID United States Agency for ECCAS International Development Economic Community of Central African States ECOWAS WILDAF Women in Law and Development in Africa Economic Community of West African States EU European Union REFERENCES • Aggarwal, P. 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University Press, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1285-1455, doi:10.1017/9781009325844.011 1 https://www.fao.org/3/bl860e/bl860e.pdf About this AICCRA INFONOTE This Infonote is an output of the collaborative partnership between AICCRA West Africa cluster and CORAF, an association of national agricultural research systems in 23 West and Central Africa countries. It has also received contributions from country clusters (Ghana, Mali, and Senegal). List of authors: Alcade Segnon, West Africa Science Officer (AICCRA). Esdras Obossou, Consultant for AICCRA WA. Niéyidouba Lamien, Programmes Manager and Focal Point, Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security PID (CORAF) and AICCRA Focal Point. Robert Zougmore, West Africa Leader (AICCRA). About AICCRA Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) is a project that helps deliver a climate- smart African future driven by science and innovation in agriculture. It is led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and supported by a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank. Explore our work at aiccra.cgiar.org 8 • A I C C R A I N FON O T E