Climate-Smart Agriculture

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to transforming and reorienting agricultural systems to support development and ensure food security in a changing climate. It addresses the interconnected challenges of food security and climate change, aiming to achieve sustainable agricultural development. CSA is particularly relevant in the context of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPG), as technology can play a crucial role in implementing and scaling CSA practices, especially in the Global South where vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by climate change.

What is Climate-Smart Agriculture?

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as an approach that sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience (adaptation), reduces/removes Greenhouse Gas emissions (mitigation), and enhances achievement of national food security and development goals. It is not a single technology or practice, but rather a holistic approach that integrates various techniques and strategies tailored to specific local contexts.

The concept of CSA emerged in the late 2000s, gaining prominence as a way to address the growing concerns about the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security. It recognizes that agriculture is both a contributor to and a victim of climate change, and that transforming agricultural practices is essential for achieving sustainable development goals. Different organizations may emphasize different aspects of CSA, but the core principles remain consistent. For example, the World Bank focuses on CSA as a way to improve agricultural productivity and incomes while reducing emissions and increasing resilience.

Key Characteristics

Increased Productivity

CSA aims to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes. This involves adopting practices that improve crop yields, livestock production, and overall farm efficiency.

For example, the use of drought-resistant crop varieties in arid regions can significantly increase yields even under water-stressed conditions. Precision agriculture techniques, enabled by digital technologies, can optimize the use of inputs such as fertilizers and water, leading to higher productivity while minimizing environmental impact. According to the FAO, sustainable intensification is a key component of CSA, focusing on producing more with less.

Enhanced Resilience

Building resilience to climate change is a central tenet of CSA. This involves adapting agricultural systems to withstand climate-related shocks and stresses, such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures.

Practices such as crop diversification, water harvesting, and agroforestry can enhance the resilience of farming systems. Climate information services, delivered through digital platforms, can provide farmers with timely and accurate weather forecasts, enabling them to make informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and harvesting. The Global Commission on Adaptation highlights the importance of investing in resilient agricultural systems to protect food security and livelihoods.

Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions

CSA seeks to reduce or remove greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture, where possible. This involves adopting practices that sequester carbon in soils, reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizers, and decrease methane emissions from livestock.

Examples include no-till farming, which minimizes soil disturbance and enhances carbon sequestration; improved fertilizer management, which reduces nitrous oxide emissions; and biogas digesters, which capture methane from livestock manure and convert it into energy. The IPCC emphasizes the potential of agriculture to contribute to climate change mitigation through sustainable land management practices.

Context Specificity

CSA practices are not universally applicable and must be tailored to specific local contexts, considering agro-ecological conditions, socio-economic factors, and cultural practices.

For example, conservation agriculture practices that are effective in one region may not be suitable in another due to differences in soil type, rainfall patterns, or farming systems. Participatory approaches that involve farmers in the design and implementation of CSA practices are essential for ensuring their relevance and effectiveness. The CGIAR emphasizes the importance of context-specific solutions in addressing the challenges of climate change and food security.

Integrated Approach

CSA integrates various strategies and techniques across different sectors and scales, recognizing the interconnectedness of agriculture, climate change, and development.

This involves coordinating policies and programs related to agriculture, climate change, and natural resource management; promoting collaboration among researchers, extension agents, and farmers; and fostering partnerships between public and private sector actors. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) promotes an integrated approach to CSA, recognizing the need for coordinated action across sectors and scales to achieve sustainable agricultural development.

Real-World Examples

• EverGreen Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: This initiative promotes the integration of trees into farming systems to improve soil fertility, increase crop yields, and enhance resilience to drought. Farmers plant nitrogen-fixing trees that provide shade, reduce erosion, and improve water infiltration.
• Climate-Smart Villages in South Asia: The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) has established Climate-Smart Villages in several countries in South Asia. These villages serve as learning sites where farmers test and adopt climate-smart practices, such as drought-resistant crops, water-saving irrigation techniques, and weather-based agro-advisories.
• The Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems in Malawi: This project promotes the adoption of conservation agriculture practices, such as no-till farming and crop rotation, to improve soil health, increase maize yields, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project also provides farmers with access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and extension services.

Challenges and Considerations

One of the main challenges of CSA is the complexity of its implementation. CSA requires a holistic approach that considers multiple factors and involves diverse stakeholders. This can be difficult to achieve in practice, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Another challenge is the potential for trade-offs between the different objectives of CSA. For example, practices that increase productivity may also increase greenhouse gas emissions, or practices that enhance resilience may reduce yields in the short term. It is important to carefully evaluate the potential trade-offs and to adopt practices that maximize the overall benefits of CSA.

There are also debates about the definition and scope of CSA. Some critics argue that CSA is too focused on technological solutions and does not adequately address the underlying social and economic drivers of climate change and food insecurity. Others argue that CSA is too broad and lacks a clear focus, making it difficult to measure its impact.

Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to promote participatory approaches, build capacity, and foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and farmers. It also requires a commitment to monitoring and evaluating the impact of CSA practices to ensure that they are achieving their intended objectives.