AICCRA Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/113198

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Knowledge and Data Sharing 2024
(Report, 2025-04) Tobón, Hector; Gamboa, Cristian; Morales, Tatiana; Tanaka, Kenji
This report is presented with the aim of highlighting the technical and strategic support that emerged since the development and updating of the MARLO tool. It enables the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project to compile reports and deliver results to support decision-making in the agricultural sector across Africa.
Bias-Aware AI in Agricultural Extension: Enhancing Equity and Inclusivity Through Human-Centered Design
(Poster, 2025) Nganga, Kevin Gitau; Ghosh, Aniruddha
This Info Note explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), in agricultural extension services. It emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and bias mitigation to ensure equitable outcomes for smallholder farmers, women, and marginalized groups. While LLMs can enhance climate resilience and decision-making by offering timely, context-aware advisories, they risk reinforcing systemic biases if not carefully designed. Moreover, it advocates for the integration of Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles and participatory methods throughout AI development to align technologies with diverse user needs. A novel methodology using the DALL·E image generation model demonstrates how prompt engineering can mitigate stereotypical representations in AI outputs. By combining ethical AI practices, localized insights, and inclusive visual and textual content, the InfoNote presents a roadmap for equitable innovation in agronomic and climate information systems. Policy and governance recommendations to foster trust, transparency, and broad adoption of AI tools in agriculture are also outlined.
Environmental enterprises and resources development conference: Chuka University
(Poster, 2025-03) Nderi, Alex; Ogutu, Liz; Jalango, Dorcas; Nzuki, Esther
This poster aims to share insights from the work in Kenya, where AICCRA collaborates with national and regional partners to provide tailored CIS and CSA advice, enabling farmers to manage risks and seize opportunities for more resilient agriculture. This bundled CSA and CIS practice presents an innovative decision-support tool for policy in Kenya. CSA and CIS equips AICCRA partners and the target beneficiaries - farmers with tools to build long-term resilience and manage shocks. The poster content was sourced from the AICCRA Kenya- Alliance team.
Senegal scaling week: Workshop report
(Report, 2025-03-24) Ewell, Hanna; Atadokpede, Marine; Siagbe, Golli; Diedhiou, Lamine; Ouedraogo, Mathieu
The AICCRA Senegal Scaling Week workshop, held at the Hotel les Flamboyants in Saly, Senegal 24-26th February 2025, focused on advancing the responsible and inclusive scaling of Climate Information Services (CIS) and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) solutions to enhance resilience among smallholder farmers in Senegal. It brought together 33 people (8 of which were women), from various organizations including ministry of agriculture and livestock, Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA, CERAAS), advisory and extension agency (ANCAR), agency for meteorology (ANACIM), farmers organizations (RESOPP, ADID, APAFIL) and private sector (Jokalante, URAC) and International organisations (AVSF, ILRI, ICRISAT and Alliance). The objective of the workshop was to support the Senegal cluster in operationalizing the scaling-up framework of the AICCRA project by developing effective CIS and CSA packages and corresponding climate solution profiles. In terms of methodological approaches, presentations were used to explain principles, with small groups' work and plenary discussions in a participative atmosphere used. Based on the concepts and principles shared, participants reflected on their visions, the barriers they face and accelerators or enabling factors to overcome them, and established roadmaps for four practices (climate solutions): the iSAT tool, animal feed, improved climate-smart crop varieties, and a community of practice on sustainable livestock management.
Development and adaptation of RIICE tool for Cote d'Ivoire
(Report, 2024-12) Mathieu, Renaud; Dossou-Yoyo, Eliott; Holecz, Francisco; Murusegan, Deiveegan; Quicho, Emma; Satapathy, Sushree; Akpoffo, Marius; Gatti, Luca; Ouedraogo, Mathieu
This report presents the development and adaptation of the RIICE (Remote sensing-based Information and Insurance for Crops in Emerging Economies) tool for Côte d'Ivoire, carried out under the auspices of the Regional Integrated Initiative of West and Central Africa in collaboration with the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project. The development and validation of the RIICE tool aims to enhance rice monitoring and yield estimation through the integration of remote sensing technologies, geospatial modeling, and field validation. Key activities conducted in 2024 included the generation of a rice baseline and ecosystem map, seasonal rice area estimation for the 2023 main wet season, and the assessment of Leaf Area Index (LAI) and yield estimations using an upgraded ORYZA crop growth model. The study leveraged multi-source remote sensing data, including Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, PlanetScope, and SAOCOM, to improve the accuracy of rice area detection and yield predictions. Field experiments were conducted to calibrate and validate crop models, focusing on dominant rice varieties and their response to different fertilizer applications in irrigated ecosystems. Findings indicate that the RIICE tool effectively identifies rice-growing areas with an 89.5% accuracy rate and provides reliable yield estimates ranging from 2.5 to 5.9 t/ha, aligning well with observed field data. The integration of climate, soil, and agronomic data enables improved decision-making for policymakers, researchers, and farmers. The study highlights the potential for expanding RIICE applications with L-band remote sensing (NISAR mission, 2025) and continued field validation to enhance monitoring accuracy. The results underscore the RIICE tool’s value in strengthening climate resilience, optimizing resource use, and improving rice production planning in Côte d'Ivoire. Further upscaling and refinement of the tool will contribute to data-driven agricultural management and climate adaptation efforts in West Africa.
Satellite-based dgital platform for rice production, and climate impact monitoring for Mali
(Report, 2024-12) Mathieu, Renaud; Dossou-Yovo, Eliott; Holecz, Francisco; Murusegan, Deiveegan; Quicho, Emma; Satapathy, Sushree; Akpoffo, Marius; Gatti, Luca
Rice is a staple crop in Mali, playing a crucial role in the country's economy, food security, and social fabric. It is cultivated in both irrigated and rainfed ecosystems across key rice-growing regions, including Segou, Mopti, Timbuktu, Sikasso, and Selingue. However, despite increasing demand driven by population growth, rice farming in Mali faces significant challenges, particularly climate variability. Effective monitoring of rice production using remote sensing technologies is essential for optimizing yields, improving resource management, and mitigating climate risks. The Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, in collaboration with national and regional partners, supports climate resilience through climate risk mapping, crop monitoring, and climate impact assessments. Since 2022, IRRI, AfricaRice, and Sarmap have been piloting a digital rice production monitoring platform in Mali, focusing on the Segou/Mopti region (Office du Niger) and Sikasso Circle as part of Phase I. Phase II (2024–2025) aims to scale up and validate the platform nationwide, enhance its performance and adaptation to regional production systems, and integrate it into the national digital information system. This will be achieved through targeted advocacy, institutional interventions, and advanced training. This report outlines the objectives and planned activities for 2024 under the remote sensing-based rice monitoring initiative in Mali, as part of the AICCRA project.
Capacity building to facilitate the scaling of the gender-smart accelerator program and foster gender-smart investments in West Africa
(Brief, 2024-12) Maiga, Mariame; Kpadonou, G. Esaïe; Segnon, Alcade Christel; Derenoncourt, Marie Ena Pascale; Ganyo, Komla Kyky; Lamien, Niéyidouba; Zougmore, Robert Bellarmin
As part of the synergy between AICCRA and the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), a regional event was conveyed to discuss and identify strategic actions to facilitate the replication of the Gender-Smart Accelerator program in FSRP countries. This deliverable reports the outcomes of the capacity building event to facilitate the scaling of the program in FSRP countries. It outlines key actions identified for scaling the gender-smart accelerator program to and its implementation in FSRP countries
Facilitating the scaling of climate-smart technologies and innovations in rice value chains in West Africa
(Brief, 2024-12) Kpadonou, G. Esaïe; Ganyo, Komla Kyky; Segnon, Alcade Christel; Dossou-Yovo, Elliott Ronald; Ahouanton, Kokou; Lamien, Niéyidouba; Zougmore, Robert Bellarmin
As part of the synergies between AICCRA and the FSRP programs, a regional event was organized to facilitate the scaling of climate-smart technologies in rice value chains in West Africa. The workshop introduced FSRP stakeholders from seven countries to innovative climate-smart technologies for rice value chains and identified actionable steps to enhance the adoption and use of these technologies in FSRP countries.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Seasonal to Sub‑Seasonal Forecasting Systems in West Africa and the Sahel
(Brief, 2024-12) Houngnibo, Mandela C.; Ali, Abdou; Assoumana, Boubacar Toukal; Minoungou, Bernard; Segnon, Alcade Christel; Zougmore, Robert Bellarmin
This Info Note describes AGRHYMET's efforts to integrate Artificial Intelligence into seasonal and sub-seasonal forecasting systems. It discusses how AI can contribute to improve the accuracy and reliability of forecasts, and the outcomes of the Regional Climate Outlook Forum (RCOF). The report also highlights the different initiatives by AGRHYMET to integrate AI in forecasting systems and articulates AICCRA contributions. By integrating AI into its operations, AGRHYMET aims to address the unique challenges of forecasting in West Africa and the Sahel, regions characterized by complex and highly variable climatic conditions in addition to a poor ground-based data availability.
Leveraging the Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach to implement the Integrated Land Management (ILM) concept in FSRP countries
(Brief, 2024-11) Ganyo, Komla Kyky; Kpadonou, G. Esaïe; Segnon, Alcade Christel; Ouedraogo, Harouna; Tall, Baidy; Lamien, Niéyidouba; Zougmore, Robert Bellarmin
This deliverable highlights the achievements, perceptions of the participants, lessons learned and outcomes of the regional training workshop on methods and tools for implementing and managing climate-smart villages. The capacity building event was organized in synergy with the FSRP program and targeted national agricultural, meteorological and hydrological services to support the implementation of CSV approach in the FSRP’s intervention areas. As results of the training, five FSRP countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Sierra Leone) have developed a national plan for implementation of CSV in their respective country with implementation budget ranging from 14,477 to 1,571,086 US $.
On-the-job Training to strengthen the operational capacities of NMHSs to produce New Generation of Seasonal Forecasts in West Africa and the Sahel
(Report, 2024-10) Houngnibo, Mandela C.; Ali, Abdou; Minoungou, Bernard; Seidou Sanda, Ibrah; Segnon, Alcade Christel; Zougmore, Robert Bellarmin
The on-the-job training is a designed one-month capacity-building program to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) from West African and Sahel countries (29 participants from 13 countries, including 11 non-AICCRA countries) on the full range of seasonal and sub-seasonal forecasting methodologies. The on-the-job training provided participants with practical experience in using WAS_S2S tools along with tools like PyCPT and Xcast, while it also introduced them to AI-based approaches. Additionally, the training focused on evaluating the different methodologies, helping participants understand the strengths and limitations of each approach and how they can be applied in their respective national contexts.
Mainstreaming AICCRA CIS/CSA course modules in African Universities’ curricula
(Report, 2024-08) Nakayiwa, Florence Mayega; Egeru, Anthony; Majaliwa, Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo
The deliverable reports the achievements of use of AICCRA CIS/CSA course modules in various universities in Africa. It highlights the mainstreaming of the course modules in BSc program in Tanzania (through revision of curricula) and in a new MSc program (Green Economy) Uganda (through the use in the creation of a new program). It also highlights the formal requests of the course modules by several universities from 14 African countries including 11 non-AICCRA countries.
Quelle approche stratégique pour une nouvelle génération des prévisions saisonnières en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Sahel : analyses et propositions
(Report, 2024-12) Ali, Abdou; Zougmore, Robert Bellarmin; Segnon, Alcade Christel
A travers une analyse approfondie de l’état de l’art actuel des connaissances et des expériences en matière de prévision climatique en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Sahel, cette note fait des propositions qui serviront de cadre d’orientation pour la mise en œuvre effective d’une nouvelle approche intégrée de prévisions saisonnières dans cette région. Il s’agit d’une approche intégrée permettant de prendre avantage des aspects spécifiques de chacune des méthodes statistiques et dynamiques utilisées actuellement de manière différentielle. La mise en œuvre de cette nouvelle approche intégrée et appropriée pour la région Afrique de l’Ouest et du Sahel permettra de : (a) générer des prévisions saisonnières élaborées avec plus de traçabilité, plus précis, plus détaillé et plus adapté aux besoins spécifiques des utilisateurs ; (b) un format organisationnel du RCOF plus allégé, donc plus durable ; (c) une facilité de mise à jour mensuelle des prévisions ; (d) des capacités accrues des acteurs de la région pour fournir aux usagers des services basées sur les résultats récents de la recherche et de la technologie sur le climat et ses impacts ; (e) la consolidation de AGRHYMET comme centre climatique régional accréditée et disposant de toutes les capacités opérationnelles pour confirmer son leadership régional dans la fourniture des services climatiques. AGRHYMET en tant que Centre Régional Climatique s’appuiera sur certaines de ses initiatives en cours, notamment les projets AICCRA et FSRP pour assurer la mise en œuvre opérationnelle de la nouvelle approche, toute chose qui contribuera à renforcer le positionnement de AGRHYMET comme Leader régional sur les services climatiques accrédité par l’OMM
Development of e-learning materials for CSA and CIS course modules
(Report, 2024-08) Nimusiima, Alex; Nakayiwa, Florence Mayega; Majaliwa, Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo
The report documents the capacity building to CIS/CSA course module developers on translating the course modules into e-learning materials. It also reports the uploading of CSA/CIS modules developed as part of AICCRA into RUFORUM Regional E-Learning Platform. Uploading AICCRA CIS/CSA course modules has improved and strengthened RUFORUM E-Learning Platform.
Facilitating the Access and Use of CSA and CIS Course Modules in African Higher Education Systems
(Report, 2024-08) Nimusiima, Alex; Nakayiwa, Florence Mayega; Majaliwa, Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo
To facilitate the access and use of CIS/CSA curricula developed by RUFORUM/WASCAL, the cluster has organised a side event during the RUFORUM Triennial Conference 2024 to create awareness of training curricula developed by the AICCRA project among university leaders, lecturers and students with a view of mainstreaming the developed CSA and CIS curricular in the training programmes of universities. This deliverable reports the outcomes of the event, especially the mainstreaming of the CIS/CSA course modules in a University in Tanzania and a request from 22 universities in 13 African countries, including 11 non-AICCRA countries
Assessment of Forage Early Generation Seed Production and Supply in Ethiopia
(Report, 2025-01) Dejene, Mesfin; Gebreyes, Million; Mekonnen, Kindu; Derseh, Melkamu
Peer learning to scale uptake of climate smart practices in Baringo County, Kenya
(Brief, 2024-12-22) Renee Bullock; Hamilton Majiwa; Faith Saalu; Julius Mundia; Daniel Mbithi; Samuel Mutai
There is an increased relevance and urgency to support uptake of climate smart agriculture and more so in drylands where water is already scarce. Changes in rainfall patterns and decreased rainfall have been reported in Kenya. Scaling climate smart practices in combination with support from climate information can improve resilience capacities of households and communities in the face of climate change. In the face of increased demand for agricultural information and the reduced capacity of extension systems, many extension providers have been using farmer to-farmer extension (F2FE) that is defined as the provision of training by farmers to farmers (Scarbourough 1997, in Franzel, Kiptot, and Degrande :277). Peer to peer learning approaches are a mutual learning and training strategy that supports collaborative learning. The approach facilitates peers’ learning and, like other peer education approaches, aims to induce behavior changes related to a particular issue of concern (Heidenreich and Breukers 2020). Peer education can have impacts upon peers themselves as well as at the broader societal level by “stimulating collective action that contributes to individual change as well as changes in programs and policies” (Kerrigan and Weiss, 2000). This brief details activities from a peer-to-peer learning event that brought together farmers and agro-pastoralists from dryland counties to learn from each other about climate information services and climate smart agricultural practices that can enhance resilience. Due to low literacy rates and low exposure to new practices, exchange visits are envisioned as an important way to share skills and build capacities with community members from Baringo county locations.
Training of Trainers (ToT) on Climate-Smart Agriculture Basics Course Module
(Report, 2024-07) Ekepu, David; Majaliwa, Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo; Nakayiwa, Florence Mayega
As part of the AICCRA, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) are tasked to develop curricula and training materials to accelerate the mainstreaming of Climate Information Services (CIS) and Climate- Smart Agriculture (CSA) into University’s curricula in Africa. This report documents the training of trainers’ (ToT) workshop on Climate-Smart Agriculture Basics course module. The overall objective of the training of trainers’ workshop was to increase awareness and scale adoption/integration of the module on Climate-Smart Agriculture Basics across the RUFORUM Network and other non-AICCRA countries. 304 (Male=221; Female=82, Prefer not to say=1) participants from universities in 23 countries attended the training. The module is aimed at contributing towards promotion of the CSA approach among researchers, academia and practitioners. It introduces the concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture, the various CSA practices in Africa, the approach and tools for implementation and scaling of CSA practices, and discusses the barriers and enablers of adoption and scaling of CSA. The training increased awareness among academic staff in RUFORUM member universities. Participants indicated strong interest in incorporating the training material into their university curricula and cited several approaches including workshops, seminars, short courses and field demonstrations of the practical aspects of the module.
Radio Enhancing Innovative Technologies and Climate Information Service for Farmers in Ghana
(Report, 2024-12-31) Farm Radio, International,
This report provides an overview of activities completed in the second phase of the Radio Enhancing Innovative Technologies and Climate Information Service for Farmers in Ghana project. Building on the foundation laid in the first phase, the project continues to enhance farmers' access to climate-smart agricultural technologies and climate information services. Targeted to the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Bono East, and Central regions, this phase re-engaged eight partner radio stations from the previous phase across the targeted regions. Activities carried out within July and October include stakeholder engagement, broadcaster training and content orientation, and program broadcast. A core technical workshop resulted in the development of a 16-week radio program tailored to meet the target audience's local needs, covering topics from stress-tolerant crop varieties to integrated pest management strategies. Each station delivered broadcasts in the local language, promoting gender-responsive agronomic practices, providing daily and weekly weather updates, and enhancing farmers’ knowledge of sustainable farming practices. All radio teams started broadcasting after training and content orientation. All stations with audio files submitted have aired a total of 64 live programs. The impact of these activities has been strengthened by engaging the Ghana Meteorological Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and other local partners, ensuring the relevance and practicality of the content. Regular program monitoring, field visits, and feedback loops are in place to refine the broadcasts further.
Training of Trainers (ToT) on Climate Basics Course Module
(Report, 2024-10) Ekepu, David; Nakayiwa, Florence Mayega; Majaliwa, Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo; Dinku, Tufa; Grossi, Amanda
As part of the AICCRA, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) are tasked to develop curricula and training materials to accelerate the mainstreaming of Climate Information Services (CIS) and Climate- Smart Agriculture (CSA) into University’s curricula in Africa. This report documents the training of trainers’ (ToT) workshop on Climate Basics course module. The overall objective of the training of trainers’ workshop was to increase awareness and scale adoption/integration of the module on Climate Basics across the RUFORUM Network and other non-AICCRA countries. 498 (Male=353; Female=145) participants from universities in 31 countries attended the training. This training introduces various ways that climate is described and quantified, describes the components of climate, and discusses the differences between climate and weather. It introduces climate classifications and zones and discusses where these exist across the globe. The training increased awareness among academic staff in RUFORUM member universities. Participants indicated strong interest in incorporating the training material into their university curricula and cited several approaches including workshops, seminars, short courses and field demonstrations of the practical aspects of the module.

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