INTRODUCTION:
This is the executive summary of the decadal Africa Climate Smart Agriculture Implementation Plan (CSAIP)
2022-2032. It is an input for the operationalization of aspects of the African Union Climate Change and Re-
silient Development Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2032. The CSAIP is a framework for African countries,
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other development stakeholders as they seek to implement
their climate smart or resilient agriculture (CSA) policies, strategies, programmes, financing and support
systems in response to the devastating and unabating impact of climate change on agriculture and sus-
tainable food systems on the African continent
The CSAIP proposals are inputs and programme offerings for CSA policies, strategies, programmes, financ-
ing and support systems as well as institutional frameworks for governance, management and financing
arrangements in the effort to promote transition to CSA practices across the African continent. These pro-
posals will evolve over time in the implementation of the FARA broader Africa Climate Smart Agriculture
Framework (ACSAF). CSA options integrate traditional and innovative practices, including agroecological
practices, technologies and services that are relevant for particular location, are sustainable, economic and
environmentally sound. There is no consensus as to what set of practices constitutes CSA.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CSAIP:
The aim of this CSAIP is to provide a continental framework for the implementation of the CSA priorities
of the AU climate change strategy 2022-2032 and the climate resilient agriculture pillar of the AU Green
Recovery Action Plan (GRAP) 2021-2027 as well as to facilitate implementation of regional strategies and
national CSA programmes. A CSA strategy needs to be aligned to other strategies on issues of food security,
land degradation and biodiversity loss, among others. In essence, the CSAIP is not limited to serving simply
as a technical resource for the two AU strategies but provides interventions and guidance to direct coun-
try-level engagements. The specific objectives are to:
a. Facilitate development of CSA policies, strategies and programmes in countries that have
yet to embrace, adopt and transition to CSA practices.
b. Provide direct support to countries in the development of national CSAIPs and transition
plans in the form of development of CSA investment plans.
c. Assist countries with undertaking institutional and policy reforms that are conducive for
transition from conventional to CSA practices.
d. Lead, in collaboration with AU organs and agencies and other major regional and continen-
tal organizations, the development of capacity building and strengthening programmes for
the integration of climate change considerations into Africa’s agriculture and sustainable
food systems transformation programmes and the effective implementation of national
CSAIPs.
e. Guide the development of appropriate means of implementation, including financing ar-
rangements, for CSAIP implementation at country and regional levels.
f. Assist countries to establish CSA stakeholders consultative, knowledge and information
sharing platforms for the dissemination of CSA best practices, advancing proposals on per-
formance-improving reviews of policy requirements and institutional architectures for sus-
tained transition from conventional to CSA practices.
VI
STATE OF CSA AND PRIORITIES OF THE CSAIP:
To assess the present position of CSA practices on the African continent, including what is working and
what is not, as well as gender issues and also, determine priorities for the CSAIP, the development of this
plan involved a continental survey of national stakeholders, development partners and various actors work-
ing on CSA, agriculture and sustainable food systems.
Present Position:
The present position on the continent is that more than 60% of African countries that responded to the
survey questionnaire have CSA strategy and stakeholders’ consultative platforms, while 50% have CSA pol-
icy frameworks. Only 25% of the countries, however, have CSA Investment Plans, 38% have CSA capaci-
ty building and strengthening programmes and CSA implementation support systems for farmers. The
weakest areas of CSA adoption and implementation are in CSA gender frameworks, cost estimates for tran-
sition from conventional to CSA practices, capacity to estimate the expected level of GHG emissions reduc-
tion that CSA practices would bring about in a country. Only 13% of the countries had positive responses to
these. What this means is that African countries need support for CSA policy framework, capacity building
programmes, CSA investment plan and the development of CSA gender-responsive framework. Capacity
for estimating GHG emissions in the agriculture sector needs to be developed in all African countries. The
present situation depends too heavily on international consultants and is untenable.
Feedback from 80% of African countries points encouragingly and strongly to the evidence that CSA is
currently widely practised across the African continent. The most widely-adopted practice is the use of
improved seeds or new varieties of crops cultivars/ self-fertilizing/ climate-ready-and-resilient crops that are
tolerant to extreme temperatures, droughts, floods and salinity, among others. This CSA practice is followed
progressively by conservation agriculture and rangeland and pasture management through rotational
grazing and improved forage, rainwater harvesting, and improved animal breeding and genetic selection
for feed efficiency. This range of CSA practices is being undertaken by 70% of the respondent countries. It is
worthy of note that some 60% of the respondent African countries practice alteration in land-use pattern,
crop diversification and rotation or intercropping, integrated farming, integrated pest management and
manure management. Only about 50% of the countries are, at present, investing in CSA practices involving
integrated nutrient management, changes in planting times (changing cropping seasons), application of
resource-efficient technologies, feed management, as well as relying on better weather forecasting and
early warning systems. This needs rapid upgrading.
The implications are quite clear. CSA is widely practised in Africa. What Africa needs is a comprehensive
CSA implementation plan geared towards addressing each and every country’s specific needs in the efforts
to transition from conventional to CSA practices. The transition is not a case of “one size fits all”.
Priorities:
In response to the issue of countries’ priorities in the launch of a Continental CSAIP, about 90% of African
countries had as their highest priority the need to develop well-funded national incentives systems for
transition to and adoption of CSA practices as well as ease of access to CSA technologies and innovations.
This score is followed by the need for the development of CSA capacity strengthening programmes; the
development and continuous enhancement of CSA national support systems; development and opera-
tionalization of an effective CSA national stakeholders’ consultative and knowledge sharing platforms; de-
velopment, institutionalization and enforcement of a national gender-sensitive or responsive framework
for CSA policy, strategy and national support systems as well as access to CSA knowledge and information.
These had a respectable score of 78%. Technical knowledge and models in GHG emissions estimation were
considered critical by 67% of the responding countries. The same percentage or number of countries would
like support in developing or updating their CSA Investment Plan and enhancing CSA financing arrange-
ments. Slightly above 50% of the respondent countries worried about knowing the cost of transition from
conventional to CSA practices.
VII
What is Not Working Well: Survey results indicated that the following, among others, are not working ad-
equately on CSA implementation:
1. 2. Limited access to appropriate gender-sensitive technologies and innovations.
Poor technology transfers, especially to rural farmers. Interventions should target Africa’s rural farmers
by supporting emerging or building on the concept of Lead Farmers that can be used as pilots and later
on to inspire others.
3. 4. 5. Inadequate policy incentives to attract more farmers to participate in CSA practices.
Government’s inability to harmonize CSA messages across all players including NGOs.
Inadequate climate finance for improved investment for CSA adoption, especially by smallholder farm-
ers. Climate finance is central to the success of CSA transition and adoption.
6. Ineffective adoption and implementation of existing National CSA Investment Plans as guiding nation-
al framework documents.
7. Absence of effective continental CSA platform for fact-finding and lessons learning among countries
on implementation.
8. 9. There is a need to ensure CSA policy and strategy are in place for a country to guide roll-out of a CSAIP.
There is a need for Government entities, especially Ministries of Environment, Climate Change and Ag-
riculture, to work together in national synergy to facilitate implementation of CSA initiatives.
10. There is a lack of appropriate policies in some country context and climate finance to scale and speed
up programmes for the expansion of utilization of newly released adaptable seed varieties of crops to
combat droughts and diseases.
11. There is a need to allocate land to farmers to develop ranches for pastoral farming to minimize cattle
headers-crop farmers conflicts arising from cross-border movements of cattle headers, which leads to
the destruction of farmlands, crops and lives of farmers.
12. CSA adoption and transition needs a variety of human and institutional capacity building and strength-
ening interventions in countries among stakeholders (public and private sector, NGOs, farmers, farmers
organizations, extension service providers, research institutions, etc.). Weak institutional framework at
the level of governments needs to be strengthened.
13. Bottlenecks in accessing funds from the Green Climate Fund and other Climate Investment Funds
should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
14. There is a need for modification of labour-intensity of equipment to facilitate participation by different
groups of farmers, especially women.
In addition to the foregoing, national stakeholders would like to see the following addressed
by the CSAIP:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Financial constraint hindering effective implementation of conservation agriculture1
A need to step up soil, water catchment survey and analysis in selected areas of agro-ecological zones.
A need to significantly increase the introduction of drought, diseases and pests resistant crop varieties
in marginal land.
The CSAIP should set up a continental knowledge sharing platform on CSA practices.
The CSAIP should provide for protection, improvement and use of some of the most indigenous farm-
ing systems on the continent so as to preserve important genetic resources, such as edible wild crop
relatives that are likely to be at risk.
The CSA Implementation Plan should provide for a robust capacity building and strengthening pro-
gramme that improves the effectiveness and efficiency of all institutions involved in CSA policies, strat-
egies, practices and programmes.
1 For instance the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) as well as the Lesotho Machobane Farming System
need to be rolled out in all the districts of the country.
VIII
What is Working in CSA Practices: From the national stakeholder survey, it was abundantly evident that
some policies, strategies and programmes are working very well for farmers in CSA transition and adoption.
Among these are the following:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Introduction of government support facilities for farming-land preparation and provision of extension
services to farmers, especially small-holder farmers.
Improvements in biomass production and organic matter composting for commercial use.
Improvements in weather early warning systems and services with increased community integration
for enhanced feedback and early actions.
Emergence of multi-stakeholder platforms and integration for improved harmonization of CSA imple-
mentation.
Increased adoption and intensification of conservation agriculture and its promotion through govern-
ment programmes2
.
Involvement of increasing number of stakeholders, sectors and actors in the shaping of CSA policy,
strategy and programmes.
Improvements in policies that support climate smart and conservation agriculture in terms of informa-
tion dissemination and capacitation of most vulnerable members of communities, low-income house-
holds, indigenous people as well as small-holder farmers.
Development of CSA Practices Application Training Manual for agriculture colleges and extension ser-
vices providers.
The use of lead farmers approach or model to pilot initiatives. The approach should be reinforced as it
allows quicker adoption of conservation agriculture.
Growing investment in crossbred heifer, given very high demand.
Gender Issues in CSA Transition and Adoption: The national stakeholder survey showed that gender is-
sues have not been given appropriate and adequate attention in the conception, development and im-
plementation of CSA policies, strategies, programmes, financing as well as national support systems and
services. Respondents strenuously stressed that gender mainstreaming is very weak in terms of outreach
by institutions, and strongly recommended, among others, that:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Forums be set up at national, regional and continental levels dedicated to addressing gender issues in
the implementation and management of CSA policies, strategies and programmes.
Land access for women, youth and the disabled needs to be improved considerably.
Participation of women and youth in CSA policy, strategy and programme development and imple-
mentation should be stepped up significantly.
Access to finance for women and youth in CSA implementation needs urgent attention. Ease of access
to finance especially by rural women for farming and CSA adoption is particularly pressing.
National CSA investment gender targets be introduced, and performance assessed regularly, possibly
quarterly and annually.
A need to promote CSA interventions that provide for time-saving techniques and technologies, espe-
cially for women and also for the youth who need to be enticed into agriculture.
A need to reform laws, norms, policies and practices that continue to perpetuate gender inequalities.
This is particularly the case with customary laws and practices, which adversely affect women and con-
strain their effectiveness and productivity in agriculture.
A need for the CSAIP to address the development of tillage systems that are friendly to women and
reduce drudgery and labour-intensiveness through mechanization. For example, conservation agricul-
ture involving the preparation of holes is excessively labour intensive.
Development of gender-sensitive CSA technologies and innovations should be stepped up. New and
improved tools and technologies should consciously take into consideration the differentiated role of
women in agriculture.
2.. See for instance Zimbabwe’s Pfumvudza programme supporting about 2million vulnerable households in maize, sunflower, soya beans, small grains
production. The crop intensification production programme has resulted in high rates of adoption since farmers get inputs support in the form of seeds
and fertilizers with extension services being provided by the government.
IX
KEY COMPONENTS AND PROGRAMMES OF THE CSAIP:
Responses from the national stakeholder survey pointed to areas of priority needs, which range from coun-
try to country depending on the extent of ongoing CSA practices and resource support. The consolidated
list of proposed areas consists of the following:
No. Table 1a: Stakeholder Responses on CSA Areas of Need
1 Expansion and strengthening of the Participatory Integrated Climate Services Agriculture (PICSA)
model
2 Upscaling of Conservation Agriculture/Tillage
3 Upscaling and enhancement of Farming Systems like the Machobane Farming System
4 Development and implementation of CSA gender sensitive framework for climate smart agriculture
policy, strategy, programmes, financing and national support system
5 Development of national institutional capacity for determining and monitoring cost estimates for
transition from conventional to CSA practices in each and every African country
6 Building and nurturing technical capacity for determining and assessing expected level of GHG
emissions reduction that CSA practices will bring about in African countries adopting such practices
7 Provision of support for the development of National CSA Investment Plan with the possibility of
replacing NAIPs with CSAIPs
8 Development, institutionalizing and enhancing national CSA support systems
9 Building capacity to and participating in the development and promotion of enhanced access to
CSA technologies and innovation systems
10 Providing support for the development of CSA policy, strategy and programmes as per country’s
need
11 Enhancement of access to CSA technologies and innovations by all farmers, especially smallholder
farmers
12 Encouragement of rainwater harvesting for irrigation
13 Development, implementation and monitoring of policies and strategies for institutionalizing graz-
ing-land practice for livestock management
14 Vast expansion of provision of borehole water facility, especially in drought-stricken areas and gen-
erally in rural farming communities as part of social adaptation programme
15 Encouragement of the CSA practice of integrated land use management system peculiar to each
ecological zone in each African country
16 Integration of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) with annual cropping farming practices
17 Promotion of restoration and management of wetlands and integration of aquaculture
X
Based on the foregoing, the priorities of the CSAIP are as follows:
No. Table 1b: Emerging CSAIP 2022-2032 Priorities and Areas of Intervention
1 Conduct of Country Readiness Assessment Survey for the integration of climate change consider-
ations into agriculture and food systems and CSA transition (including review of agriculture sector
mitigation and adaptation measures in the NDC)
2 Development/update of climate smart agriculture policy
3 Development/update of climate smart agriculture strategy
4 Development/update of climate smart agriculture investment plan
5 Development of climate smart agriculture capacity building and strengthening programmes
6 Development/enhancement of climate smart agriculture financing arrangement
7 Development/enhancement of climate smart agriculture support systems
8 Development of climate smart agriculture national stakeholder consultative and knowledge shar-
ing platform
9 Development of gender sensitive framework for climate smart agriculture policy, strategy and sup-
port system
10 Access to climate smart agriculture knowledge and information
11 Access to climate smart agriculture technologies and innovations
12 Training on models for estimating GHG emissions in the agriculture sector and vulnerability assess-
ments – exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity
13 Cost estimates for transition from conventional to climate smart agriculture practices
14 Expected level of GHG emissions reduction that climate smart agriculture practices will bring about
in the country
15 Development of financing arrangements for the cost of transition from conventional to climate
smart agriculture practices
16 Design of incentive systems for transition to or adoption of climate smart agriculture practices
17 Development of climate smart agriculture research and innovation systems at national, regional
and continental levels
In the implementation of these priorities, existing farming systems and practices will be strengthened and
enhanced. While the responses to the stakeholder survey, which provided most of the inputs for the artic-
ulation of the CSAIP priorities only tacitly indicated the fundamental importance and role of agroecolog-
ical farming systems and practices in the expansion of CSA across the African continent, this CSAIP will
vigorously support CSA transitions that encourage agroecological farming systems and practices beyond
conservation agriculture and other current intensification systems and practices. Appropriate gender-re-
sponsive policy measures, financing initiatives and incentives, as well as institutional and governance ar-
rangements will be strongly encouraged to facilitate CSA transitions that promote the salient features of
agroecological farming systems and practices particularly diversity, synergies, resilience, circularity and re-
cycling and co-creation and sharing of knowledge (Box 1). CSA agricultural systems and practices under
this CSAIP will need to protect the environment, biodiversity, nature-based processes, efficient utilization
of natural resources and ecosystems, while enhancing productivity, incomes, livelihoods and health and
preserving diversity of food traditions and culture.
XI
Box 1: The CSAIP 2022-2032 and Agroecological Farming Systems and Practices
What is agroecology? It is not a particular farming system. Rather, it is a variety of farming practices that protect the environment,
promote biodiversity, nature-based recycling processes and preservation of natural ecosystems, while enhancing agricultural live-
lihoods, productivity and incomes and preserving culture and food transitions and promoting health, among others, in support of
CSA transitions in response to climate change challenges. Agroecological practices combine and build on traditional knowledge
with science for continuous improvement and innovation. Its practices are context-specific due to diversity of local knowledge and
agricultural landscapes, culture, food traditions and practices.
As FAO noted, agroecology is not a new intervention in agriculture. It has been practised over the years in various dimensions since
the 1920s3. It has a number of distinguishing features4. Among these are the following:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Diversity5 of species, crops, genetic resources, etc., through farming systems and practices that conserve, protect and enhance
natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Examples of such farming systems are agroforestry for vertical diversity; inter-
cropping for spatial diversity; crop rotation for temporal diversity, diversity of live-stock breed in livestock management systems,
integrated farming systems such as mixed crop-livestock or crop-fish farming systems, among others.
Synergies in diversified agricultural systems that combine annual and perennial crops, livestock and aquatic animals, trees,
soils, water and other components on farms and agricultural landscapes to enhance complementarities in the context of cli-
mate change. For instance, with about 15% of nitrogen6 applied to crops coming from livestock manure, this points to benefits
from mixed or integrated crop-livestock farming systems.
Resilience, as agroecologically diversified agricultural systems have better capacity to recover from shocks and disturbances,
which include extreme weather conditions, floods as well as resist pests and diseases attacks. The community of interacting
organisms tend to self-regulate pests and diseases outbreaks
Circularity and recycling in the agriculture sector – agricultural systems that espouse agroecological practices imitate natural
ecosystems and therefore support biological processes that drive recycling of nutrients, biomass and water within production
systems.
Efficient use of resources resulting from diversity, synergies and natural recycling processes, among other practices
Co-creation and sharing of knowledge through participatory processes that provide for shared knowledge that is context spe-
cific.
In addition, but not exclusively, agroecology promotes culture and food traditions in farming systems and practices, human and
social values as well as responsible governance of the agriculture sector.
In the implementation of this CSAIP, efforts will therefore be made to embed the foregoing features or elements in countries’ im-
plementation plans for the cultivation of the enabling policy, financing and institutional environment for the operationalization
of agroecology. They will also provide the basis for planning, monitoring and evaluating CSA transitions to ensure agroecological
compliance or friendliness.
In essence, to transform agriculture and food systems effectively and sustainably, agroecological practices will need to be main-
streamed into current and future farming systems. They provide a desired response to high-external input, resource-intensive ag-
ricultural systems that have caused massive deforestation, water scarcities, biodiversity loss, soil depletion and high levels of GHG
emissions. Agroecology is therefore a key response to climate change challenges in agriculture.
It is to this end that this CSAIP will reinforce agroecological systems and practices using CSA as the intervention framework.
3 FAO argued that “Agroecology is not a new invention. It can be identified in scientific literature since the 1920s, and has found expression in family farm-
ers’ practices, in grassroots social movements for sustainability and the public policies of various countries around the world. More recently, agroecology
has entered the discourse of international and UN institutions”. See FAO, Ten Elements of Agroecology – Guiding the Transition to Sustainable Food and
Agricultural Systems (undated).
4 These elements emanated from FAO regional seminars on agroecology (op. cit)
5 As pointed out by FAO (op. cit), “increasing biodiversity contributes to a range of production, socio-economic, nutrition and environmental benefits.
By planning and managing diversity, agroecological approaches enhance the provisioning of ecosystem services, including pollination and soil health,
upon which agricultural production depends. Diversification can increase productivity and resource-use efficiency by optimizing biomass and water
harvesting”.
6 See FAO, op. cit. Also, FAO observed that in Asia, integrated rice systems combine rice cultivation with the generation of other products such as fish,
ducks and trees. By maximising synergies, integrated rice systems significantly improve yields, dietary diversity, weed control, soil structure and fertility,
as well as providing biodiversity habitat and pest control.
XII
CSAIP EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES:
The expected outputs and outcomes of this CSAIP include the following:
Table 2: CSAIP 2022-2031 Expected Outputs and Outcomes
No. Performance Areas
2022-2032
Expected Outputs
2022-2032
Expected Outcomes
2022-2032
1 Development of CSA policies, strat-
egies and programmes in countries
that have yet to embrace, adopt and
transition to CSA practices
Expanded CSA practices in 55
African countries and 8 AU-rec-
ognized RECs
Effective governance and management of CSA
policies, strategies and programmes
2 Support to countries in the develop-
ment of national agricultural transi-
tion plans in the form of CSAIPs and
CSA investment plans
CSAIPs and CSA investment
plans in 55 African countries
and 8 AU-recognized RECs
All countries on the path of climate resilient tran-
sition in agriculture and sustainable food systems.
National investment programme for coordinated
funding for CSA adoption and transition
3 Assistance to countries to undertake
institutional and policy reforms that
are conducive for transition from con-
ventional to CSA practices
55 African countries and 8
AU-recognized RECs with en-
hanced institutional and policy
environment for CSA practices
Improved and responsive policy and institutional
environment for CSA transition and practices
4 Leading, in collaboration with AU or-
gans and agencies and other major
regional and continental organiza-
tions, the development of capacity
building and strengthening pro-
grammes for the integration of cli-
mate change considerations into Af-
rica’s agriculture and sustainable food
systems transformation programmes
and the effective implementation of
national CSAIPs.
Enhanced capacity in 55 African
countries and 8 AU-recognized
RECs for integration of climate
change considerations into ag-
riculture and food systems and
CSA practices
Sustained reform and adoption of agricultural
transformation policies and strategies with inte-
grated climate-change and gender-sensitive con-
siderations
5 Guiding the development of appro-
priate gender-responsive means of
implementation, including financing
arrangements, for CSAIP implemen-
tation at country and regional levels.
55 African countries and 8
AU-recognized RECs supported
with innovative financing strat-
egies and means of engage-
ments for effective implemen-
tation of their CSAIPs and CSA
investment plans
Improved access to finance and support in-
frastructures for CSA investment plans and
small-holder farmers, especially women and
youth
6 Assistance to countries to establish
CSA stakeholders consultative, knowl-
edge and information sharing plat-
forms for the dissemination of CSA
best practices, advancing proposals
on performance-improving reviews of
policy requirements and institutional
architectures for sustained transition
from conventional to CSA practices
Shared knowledge, informa-
tion and skills for 55 African
countries and 8 AU-recognized
RECs on CSA best practices and
avoidable pitfalls
Ease of access to new knowledge and informa-
tion services by policymakers and all categories
of farmers, especially the majority of rural farmers
(through channels including smart technologies
and Apps)
XIII
7 Facilitation of development of nation-
al and regional innovation systems for
climate smart agriculture and food
systems
National and regional innova-
tion systems and institutional
frameworks developed in 55 Af-
rican countries and 8 AU-recog-
nized RECs in aid of continuous
improvements in CSA practices
Capacity within African countries and regions for
continuous improvements and innovations in the
integration of climate change into agriculture and
food systems.
Strong link between CSA research and innova-
tion-driven expansion of CSA practices and adop-
tion
CSAIP DELIVERY MODALITIES:
These will be through sensitization of African countries, regional bodies and other stakeholders, develop-
ment partners supporting agriculture and sustainable food systems to tools and instruments for CSAIP
implementation at continental, regional and national levels. The modalities will consist of the following,
among others:
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. Organization of regional roll-out workshops for member states and regional bodies. These
will be held in each of the regions.
Presentations and engagement with countries requiring direct support for application of
the CSAIP framework in coherence with other strategies for food security, biodiversity loss,
soil and water management.
Integration of the CSAIP into the broader AU climate change strategy and green recovery
implementation frameworks.
Engagement of development partners for inclusion of the CSAIP in their agriculture and
food systems support programmes for Africa.
Facilitation of development of continental means of implementation for countries to transi-
tion to CSA from conventional agriculture.
Assignment of roles and responsibilities to members of CSA national platforms, especially
the private sector, NGOs and farmers organizations to lead specific aspects of the national
CSAIP and CSA investment plans7.
Facilitation of an effective, responsive and representative composition of CSA teams at na-
tional level to provide for groups that are most vulnerable to climate change, the smallhold-
er farmers, fisher communities, pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, women and youth.
Encouragement and facilitation of efforts by governments to ensure that CSAIPs are devel-
oped at subnational levels, especially at local government or communities’ level in support
of village and district levels participation in CSA planning process, transition and adoption8.
Alignment of CSAIP with all ongoing initiatives and programmes of development partners
at continental, regional and national levels and their working groups or task forces.
7 Development and implementation of CSA policies and strategies are too public sector centric. There is need to assign roles to non-governmental orga-
nizations beyond mere consultations to lead implementation of aspects of plans.
8 This is already the practice in some countries like Rwanda where all 30 Districts (local administrative entities) usually develop their own District Devel-
opment Plans building on national sectoral targets. Districts, therefore, have some autonomy to domesticate these national targets according to local
conditions and priorities. More specifically, each district responds to the national targets according to the existing opportunities and challenges within
their own districts. For example, a rural district with relatively higher land availability and having issues of increasing droughts will have to prioritize the
climate resilient agriculture actions as set by the Rwandan Government’s Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation 4 (PSTA4), covering the period
of 2018–2024.
XIV
CSAIP GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT:
The application of this CSAIP framework requires established governance and management institutional
framework at country level. Depending on each country’s circumstances, such arrangement will be expect-
ed to include the following, among others:
a. b. c. d. e. A dedicated, well-staffed and equipped organizational structure within the Ministry of
Agriculture or agency with responsibility for CSA. The composition and functions of the
structure will be determined based on institutional needs assessment to determine require-
ments for effective operation and high-level performance.
A national stakeholders’ platform for harvesting ideas and innovations for continuous re-
form and improvement of policies and programmes.
Production of an annual report of CSAIP performance will be expected. The reports will be
consolidated to generate regional and continental level reports.
Establishment of a knowledge hub to profile CSA implementation and provide access to
performance reports. These will be consolidated by FARA across the continent. The knowl-
edge hub will also offer knowledge services to countries.
Creation of appropriate Apps for real-time access to knowledge and information by farmers
seeking guidance in languages that are accessible.
MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF CSAIP:
The implementation of this CSAIP will be at national and regional levels. Domestication will therefore be
the responsibility of each country. This could be facilitated by development partners, NGOs and agencies
operating at the country level through interventions, which include capacity building and strengthening
programmes across the CSA value chains. This plan proposes the following financing arrangements for
CSAIP implementation:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Creation of a dedicated country level CSA fund
Establishment of a dedicated UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Developing Countries, Agriculture and Food
Systems
Ring-fenced funding and improved allocation of resources under the Green Climate Fund, Global Envi-
ronmental Facility and Climate Investment Funds for CSA transition and adoption in Africa
Reform of domestic financial sector to ease access to resources for CSA transition and practices
Prioritization and incentivization of private sector investment in CSA.
Offset of debt with national carbon credits for countries with repayments made to national Emissions
or Green Transition Funds that will provide for the proposed dedicated CSA Fund to support immediate
adaptation programmes in areas severely affected by droughts.
Regular presentation of the CSAIP in investment forums to support mobilization of financing for coun-
tries’ CSA investment plans and programmes.
MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING ON THE CSAIP:
This CSAIP will be monitored by means of annual implementation reports issued by countries and consol-
idated by FARA. Evaluation will be done biennially, and reporting made to AUC and continental stakehold-
ers. What will the CSAIP monitor and evaluate? These will consist of the following indicators:
1. 2. 3. 4. Number of countries transitioning to CSA from conventional agriculture
Range of CSA practices being adopted across the continent
Rate of adoption of CSA practices
Impact of CSA practices on productivity, output, and incomes, carbon sequestration, GHG emissions,
biodiversity, among others.
XV
5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Funding made available for CSA implementation at the international level
Extent of financing of CSA investment plan at country level
Nature of CSA support systems put in place by governments
Gender responsiveness of national CSA policies, strategies and financing
Effectiveness of access to CSA information and knowledge by farmers
Effectiveness of CSA capacity development programmes
RISKS AND RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN CSAIP IMPLEMENTATION:
The risks facing implementation of this CSAIP and the strategies by which they can be managed are as
follows:
Table 3: Potential Risks and Management Strategies
No Potential Risk Rating Management Strategy
1 The CSAIP may not be
adopted by countries
due to poor resource
support for CSA transi-
tion
Medium Commitment of 10% national budgetary allocation to agri-
culture sector made by African Heads of State and Govern-
ment under the Maputo Declaration in 2003 and renewed
in 2014 under the Malabo Declaration is yet to be met by
many African countries. The sector is still not adequately
funded, dependence on donor funds is high in some cas-
es and budget execution rate low in other cases. Transition
to CSA requires support systems, which need complemen-
tary resources. This CSAIP proposes sources of financing
including reform of existing sources so as to facilitate CSA
transition. There is a growing call for the CoPs to pay more
attention to issues of agriculture and food systems. Egypt
pledged to bring up agriculture at CoP27 as host country.
2 Governments are not
likely to be able to pro-
vide required support
systems for CSA transi-
tion
Medium Experience from about 22 African countries implementing
CSA programmes have shown encouraging commitment.
There is a need to do more, especially given that the execu-
tion rate of agricultural sector budget is on the low side in
a context of inadequate resources. Given the urgency of the
need to integrate climate change considerations in agricul-
ture and food systems, governments will be compelled to
step up responses. External support is reasonably available
to supplement government’s measures. Improvement in
fund disbursement is however of vital importance.
3 Inadequate internation-
al funding for CSA tran-
sition will remain due to
poor attention to agricul-
ture and food systems is-
sues at the UN CoPs.
Medium International concerns and interest in CSA transition in Af-
rica is growing rapidly. These, however, have not been met
with commensurate resource support. Strong voices at
CoP27 and a push for more resources from sources such as
GCF, GEF and CIFs as well as bilateral and multilateral insti-
tutions could minimize this risk. African countries also need
to improve execution rate of budgets for food and agricul-
ture projects.
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4 International financing
for CSA investment pro-
grammes will remain
low and grossly inade-
quate due to inability of
the international com-
munity to meet overall
commitments for cli-
mate change responses.
Medium Climate finance of US$100billion annually by 2020 pledged
by developed countries at the climate conference in Copen-
hagen in 2009 has not be fully met. There was a recommit-
ment to this financing at CoP26 with a pledge of US$500bil-
lion by 2027. There is promising goodwill on the part of the
international development community for climate finance,
which will positively affect CSA investment programmes.
5 Domestic finance in-
stitutions will see CSA
transition as riskier com-
pared to conventional
practices
Medium Domestic financing arrangements have not been very ef-
fective thus far. Encouragement of domestic finance insti-
tutions will help alleviate this risk. Appropriate incentives
could have positive impact on the flow of domestic funds
from finance institutions.
6 Continuing insecurity
and conflicts across the
continent will under-
mine successful tran-
sition to CSA practices
and achievement of its
benefits.
Medium to
high
Insecurity arising from insurgencies is a major challenge to
the farming community. This has displaced farmers and left
farmlands to waste. Governments are committing resourc-
es to improve the security situation and displaced people
are gradually being resettled. While this still remains a high
risk to agriculture and food security, it is equally promising
that within the period of this CSAIP the security situation
will improve to allow farmers to expand production.
7 Crop and livestock insur-
ance will remain out of
reach for small-holder
farmers thus undermin-
ing uptake of CSA prac-
tices
High Insurance is still out of reach for a majority of farmers, es-
pecially those in rural communities. Loss of crops and live-
stock due to extreme weather arising from climate change
remains a huge risk. The situation in the Horn of Africa and
the Sahelian subregion attests to the devastating impacts
of climate change. Innovative ways of insuring small-holder
farmers need to be developed as part of social adaptation
programmes. This should be part of a just transition in the
planning of programmes for climate resilient agriculture
and sustainable food systems.
CONCLUSION:
National CSAIPs and CSA investment plans should supplant the CAADP NAIPs or be more dominant in
ongoing agricultural transformation strategies and investment plans. For this strategic transition to take
place, governments and the international development partner community may insist on supporting
each country’s agriculture and food systems through gender-responsive national CSAIP frameworks. FARA
should work with AUC and other institutions to push for a decision on this at CoP27 or subsequent COPs.
NEXT STEPS:
The AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2032 for which this
CSAIP is an input in the implementation framework will need to be adjusted. This should provide for the
following, among others:
1. 2. A consolidation of the agriculture, food systems and related interventions into one Axis for coherence
and coordination.
Provision for refinement of the objectives and outcomes to include expected reductions in GHGs that
will result from each of the Axes and their priorities. The essence of climate resilient development is a
definitive and measurable reduction in GHG emissions through strategies, policies and programmes.
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3. 4. 5. Propose implementable financing mechanisms and instruments for CSA expansion highlighting what
is working and what is not, with concrete country cases of progress in this direction. African countries
are not starting from the scratch.
Recognize the need for and facilitate transition from country and regional National Agriculture Invest-
ment Plans (NAIPs) to gender-responsive Climate Smart Investment Programmes (CSAIPs) and related
investment plans
Provide support to significantly increase the number of African countries with gender-responsive CSA
supportive policies, strategies, investment programmes and financing arrangements.
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