Alliance Research Lever 3: Climate Action

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/107451

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 1719

Concept note for capacity building to agrifood businesses in the cashew nut value chain in Senegal
(Brief, 2024-12-28) Derenoncourt, Ena; Siagbe, Golli; Ouedraogo, Mathieu; Ouedraogo, Issa
Building resilience: Over 550 Ethiopian wheat producers enabled with bundled sustainable agroecological innovations
(Case Study, 2025) Mockshell, Jonathan; Tibebe, Degefie; Balcha, Yodit; Ngige, Chris Mwangi; Ibrahim, Mohamed; Ritter, Thea; Ogutu, Sylvester
Ethiopian wheat producers lack access to affordable fertilizer and seeds. A TRANSITIONS Private Sector Incentives and Investments (PSii) sustainability project provided bundled agroecological solutions, including faba bean and wheat crop rotation to enhance nitrogen fixation and biodiversity. In addition to training wheat producers in Doyogena, the project provided subsidized inputs and enhanced partnerships between producer organizations, district agricultural offices, seed breeders, and other stakeholders in the wheat value chain. Immediate outcomes include increased awareness, the adoption of farm-level agroecological solutions, and increased empowerment.
Bundled agroecological cacao production practices: fertilizer and sustainable practices training benefits over 200 organic producers.
(Case Study, 2025) Mockshell, Jonathan; Ritter, Thea; Blanco, Maria Alejandra; Ngige, Chris Mwangi; Mosquera, Leslie Estefany; Sanchez, Jose Gerardo; Ivanova, Yovita
Organic fertilizers boost yields, yet according to our research, most cacao producers in Ucayali region do not use fertilizers year-round, due to limited finances and knowledge. We trained 69 organic cacao producers, who are now adopting innovative bundled agroecological practices to significantly enhance their productivity. Bundles of practices include preparing and applying organic fertilizers to improve managing solid organic waste generated from cacao production. Expected scalable outcomes include enhanced soil health, recycling, cacao production, and incomes.
Digital agency: Empowering farmers to co-create knowledge on agroecology practices
(Brief, 2025-01) McCampbell, Mariette; Dittmer, Kyle Michael; Shelton, Sadie; Wollenberg, Eva
KEY MESSAGES - Digital tools are an increasingly common approach to providing agricultural advisories, yet often many farmers do not participate in digital knowledge systems. - Conventional approaches for analyzing digital inclusion focus on internet access, digital literacy, and benefit inequalities, and overlook agroecology values such as co-creation of knowledge, agency, and empowerment. - Co-creation of knowledge is a continuous process in which those participating need to have real influence. If not, the power stays with the technology developers. - Combining knowledge that is co-created by many diverse people and data and information from digital tools leads to responsible hybrid collective intelligence. - Features of digital tools that support co-creation of knowledge, digital agency, and scaling of agroecology practices include that they enable knowledge integration, two-way communication, inclusive access, and responsible use. - A step-wise approach is needed to develop digital resources that enable farmers’ digital agency and support the scaling of agroecological practices.
Next-generation drought intensity–duration–frequency curves for early warning systems in Ethiopia’s pastoral region
(Journal Article, 2025-02-02) Tegegne, Getachew; Alemayehu, Sintayehu; Dejene, Sintayehu Workeneh; Gebre, Liyuneh; Zeleke, Tadesse Terefe; Tesfaye, Lidya; Abdulhamid, Numery
The pastoral areas of Ethiopia are facing a recurrent drought crisis that significantly affects the availability of water resources for communities dependent on livestock. Despite the urgent need for effective drought early warning systems, Ethiopia’s pastoral areas have limited capacities to monitor variations in the intensity–duration–frequency of droughts. This study intends to drive drought intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves that account for climate-model uncertainty and spatial variability, with the goal of enhancing water resources management in Borana, Ethiopia. To achieve this, the study employed quantile delta mapping to bias-correct outputs from five climate models. A novel multi-model ensemble approach, known as spatiotemporal reliability ensemble averaging, was utilized to combine climate-model outputs, exploiting the strengths of each model while discounting their weaknesses. The Standardized Precipitation Evaporation Index (SPEI) was used to quantify meteorological (3-month SPEI), agricultural (6-month SPEI), and hydrological (12-month SPEI) droughts. Overall, the analysis of historical (1990–2014) and projected (2025–2049, 2050–2074, and 2075–2099) periods revealed that climate change significantly exacerbates drought conditions across all three systems, with changes in drought being more pronounced than changes in mean precipitation. A prevailing rise in droughts’ IDF features is linked to an anticipated decline in precipitation and an increase in temperature. From the derived drought IDF curves, projections for 2025–2049 and 2050–2074 indicate a significant rise in hydrological drought occurrences, while the historical and 2075–2099 periods demonstrate greater vulnerability in meteorological and agricultural systems. While the frequency of hydrological droughts is projected to decrease between 2075 and 2099 as their duration increases, the periods from 2025 to 2049 and from 2050 to 2074 are expected to experience more intense hydrological droughts. Generally, the findings underscore the critical need for timely interventions to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with drought, particularly in areas like Borana that depend heavily on water resources availability.
Building climate resilience: Agroecology in the dry corridor
(Brief, 2025-02) Muller, Lolita; Steward, Peter; Rosenstock, Todd
KEY MESSAGES - The integration of agroecological practices stands out as a promising strategy to enhance resilience against climate hazards. - Agroecological practices such as mulch, crop residues, shaded trees and living barriers increase climate resilience by increasing soil moisture or decreasing soil temperature and erosion. - While agroecological practices may require initial investments, they are not an economic burden for smallholders. - This analysis leads to several actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders including investing in farmer education on agroecology and providing financial support for the initial transition period.
How do interconnected dynamics of climate, security and human mobility interplay in Mali: Climate security pathway analysis
(Brief, 2025-02-05) Synnestvedt, Thea; Penel, Charlotte; Sarzana, Carolina; Cisse, Sokhna Ramatoulaye
In Mali, severe droughts and floods are becoming increasingly prominent, with average temperatures increasing. The climatic changes are leading to loss of livelihoods which exacerbate already poor socio-economic conditions. Simultaneously, tensions have been ongoing since Mali’s independence from colonialist powers in the 1960’s reaching new heights in 2012 with the Tuareg rebellion, which escalated into armed conflict. This has reduced the resilience and adaptive capacities of individuals, communities, and the state to respond to climate-related risks, while climate change and extreme weather events have exacerbated vulnerabilities, heightening conflict risks. Human mobility is a common form of adaptation to climate change, as well as violence and armed conflict. The impact of climate change on natural resources and livelihoods compels people to migrate or engage in transhumance livelihoods to sustain themselves, while more immediate climatic hazards such as natural disasters cause immediate displacements, impacting the overall human security situation. Similarly, conflict, especially in the Sahel region, has triggered widespread displacement. The aim of this factsheet is to identify some of the ways in which these components, namely, climate change, human security risks, conflict and human mobility interact within the context of Mali. In order to improve understanding of the ways in which these components interlink, it is helpful to delve deeper into the different pathways for how these dynamics play out in different contexts. Thus, the climate security mobility pathways explore the ways in which climate related risks interlink with and potentially exacerbate social tensions and conflict, as well as how conflict interact with climatic changes to alter the security landscape in Mali and the consequential changes to human mobility patterns. Although the situation in Mali is rapidly evolving, the identified pathways remain relevant in establishing a foundational understanding of Mali’s complex climate security landscape. Four main pathways have been identified for how these dynamics shape the local peace and security landscape in Mali.
Outcome Report. Agroecological Transitions: Inclusive Digital Tools (ATDT)
(Report, 2025-02) Funk, Evelyn; Rassmann, Kornelia; Sette-Mosaner, Marcelo; Van Tuan, Vu
The Agroecological Transitions: Digital Tools (ATDT) project (2022– 2024), led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, aimed to promote inclusive digital innovation to support farmers and technical advisors in adopting climate-resilient agroecological practices at scale. The project targeted sustainable rice production in Vietnam and sustainable beef production in Brazil, while providing global guidance and lessons learned for broader application. This section presents ten key messages derived from the Outcome Harvesting evaluation of the ATDT project, offering a summary of its core findings, critical achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. These concise and accessible takeaways distill the essence of the study, highlighting the project’s success in advancing inclusive digital innovation. This format serves as an alternative to the traditional executive summary, enhancing the practical value of the evaluation report for a diverse range of users.
Enabling Sustainable Livestock Development: ‘CLEANED’ tool effectively supports Environmental Impact Assessments across 34 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
(Case Study, 2025) Notenbaert, An; Mwema, Emmanuel; Gonzalez, Ricardo; Van Der Hoek, Ringenerus; Isiaho, Glarion; Ewell, Hanna
By generating evidence of environmental footprints, our impact-assessment tool ‘CLEANED’ improves sustainable livestock enterprise planning. Numerous trainings/workshops have taught the next users (researchers, livestock-industry stakeholders, educators, and policy advisors) how to use CLEANED effectively. Several CLEANED assessments have been conducted (of which 20 have been documented), presented to, and discussed with decision-makers at different levels throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This has led to greater environmental awareness and environmentally-sensitive planning of livestock interventions.
Towads a common vision of climate, peace and security in Zimbabwe
(Report, 2024-12) Makanda, Joseph; Maviza, Gracsious; Caroli, Giulia; Tarusarira, Joram; Gadu, Siyaxola; Maphosa, Mandlenkosi; Takaindisa, Joyce; Onivola, Minoarivelo; de Coning, Cedric; Gumindonga, Webster; Moyo, Nqobile; Laderach, Peter
This report addresses the interconnected challenges posed by climate change, migration, fragility, and socio-economic vulnerability in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has been significantly impacted by climate variability, evidenced by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, frequent droughts, and devastating cyclones, which threaten agriculture, the environment, and the livelihoods of millions who depend on rain-fed farming. The report highlights the systemic challenges Zimbabwe faces, including food and water insecurity, displacement, and conflicts over dwindling resources. These issues are further complicated by Zimbabwe’s limited adaptive capacity, economic instability, and the gendered impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affect women and girls. A two-day workshop convened in Harare by the CGIAR Climate Security team, SAPPC and ACCORD brought together key stakeholders to develop a shared understanding and identify strategies to address the peace and security risks associated with climate change and migration. This led to a common vision centred on four main pathways that link climate impacts to socio-political instability in Zimbabwe: 1. Resource competition: scarcity of natural resources, particularly water, has intensified tensions and conflicts, especially in communities where artisanal mining exacerbates land degradation. 2. Food and livelihood insecurity: extreme weather events disrupt agricultural productivity, prompting negative coping strategies like deforestation and artisanal mining, which contribute to environmental degradation and socio-economic strain. 3. Human mobility and displacement: Climate-induced migration is prevalent, with people relocating temporarily or permanently in response to disasters or economic hardship, often straining resources and services in host areas. 4. Negative coping strategies: As communities struggle to adapt, some turn to harmful practices like illegal mining and drug trade, which further destabilize communities. The report outlines a multifaceted policy and programmatic framework to mitigate these impacts, calling for collaborative efforts among government, civil society, and international organizations. Key recommendations include strengthening climate-resilient policies, ensuring conflict-sensitive climate finance, fostering community engagement, and leveraging Indigenous knowledge alongside modern science. Enhanced evidence-based research and integrated climate, peace, and security programs are essential to achieving sustainable development and resilience against climate impacts in Zimbabwe.
Construcción de paz medioambiental en América Latina y el Caribe: reduciendo brechas y aprovechando oportunidades
(Brief, 2024-10) Higuera-Florez, Julian; Medina, Leonardo; Acuña-Alfaro, Jairo; De Francisco, Iñaki; Pacillo, Grazia; Madurga-Lopez, Ignacio
MENSAJES CLAVE: A pesar de los urgentes retos medioambientales, climáticos, de violencia y de conflictos de la región, los estudios existentes sobre construcción de paz medioambiental en América Latina y el Caribe (LAC) tienden a enfocarse exclusivamente en Colombia después del Acuerdo de Paz de 2016, con algunas pocas excepciones en México, Nicaragua, y Costa Rica. La región enfrenta una serie de problemas críticos que caracterizan las especificidades de la construcción de paz medioambiental en LAC, incluyendo desigualdades socioeconómicas, exclusión política, desconfianza institucional, crimen organizado transnacional, acaparamiento de tierras, violencia en contra de activistas. medioambientales, y acceso desigual a la tierra e inseguridad en sus derechos de tenencia. El fortalecimiento de evidencias locales es crucial para reducir brechas de conocimiento de las conexiones entre gestión medioambiental y construcción de paz en LAC. La urgencia de priorizar la participación comunitaria mediante la integración de conocimiento indígena, perspectivas locales y métodos participativos en el diseño, la implementación y la evaluación de los proyectos de construcción de paz medioambiental, aseguran que se reflejen las necesidades de las comunidades afectadas a lo largo de la duración de los proyectos. Existe la necesidad de reforzar las ofertas de capacitación sobre el nexo entre medioambiente, clima, paz y seguridad para que las instituciones públicas y la sociedad civil amplíen sus conocimientos y sensibilidad acerca de la promoción de estrategias e intervenciones integradas que apoyen los esfuerzos de construcción de paz medioambiental en LAC. Promover evaluaciones sensibles a los conflictos y a las oportunidades de construcción de paz antes de implementar proyectos, programas y políticas medioambientales puede ayudar a identificar las causas raíz de conflicto y de cooperación, evitar hacer daños no intencionados y adaptar las intervenciones a los contextos políticos, sociales y medioambientales locales.
SMS advisory service mid-season report
(Report, 2025-01) Haazele, Milimo; Koech, Vitalis; Busienei, Linda; Banda, Niza; Gitau, Kevin; Gitimu, Daniel Macharia; Gamoyo, Majambo Jarumani; Koech, Grace Jerotich; Chilambe, Pedro Anglaze
Implementación de servicios climáticos participativos (PICSA) en Huehuetenango, Guatemala
(Video, 2024-12) Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
En el marco del proyecto “Q’Anil” (Semilla), liderado por el Programa Mundial de Alimentos (PMA) Guatemala y financiado por The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, la Alianza de Bioversity CIAT ha focalizado sus esfuerzos en la gestión de riesgos asociados a la variabilidad climática mediante la implementación de los Servicios Climáticos Participativos para la Agricultura (PICSA, por sus siglas en inglés) en el departamento de Huehuetenango, Guatemala. La Alianza atiende 79 comunidades en los municipios de Aguacatán, Chiantla, Huehuetenango y Santa Bárbara. Su alcance incluye a 9,000 familias productoras, quienes enfrentan un acceso limitado a información, tecnologías y asistencia técnica. En estas zonas, la productividad agrícola está afectada por los efectos adversos del clima, condiciones socioeconómicas desfavorables y vías de acceso precarias. PICSA, un mecanismo de servicios climáticos de “última milla”, está ayudando a las familias agricultoras a tomar mejores decisiones al proporcionarles información agroclimática adaptada. Las familias han percibido efectos positivos en los rendimientos y la producción, incluso bajo condiciones de lluvia desfavorables.
A new project launched to strengthen evidence use for African agriculture adaptation
(Blog, 2025-01-29) Wanjiru, Anastacia; Njuguna, Lucy
As climate change intensifies across Africa, smallholder farmers are on the frontlines, facing increasingly extreme weather conditions. While climate mitigation has clear benchmarks, adaptation remains complex, often lacking reliable metrics to track progress. This gap has led to fragmented efforts and, in some cases, maladaptation, where interventions unintentionally heighten vulnerability. The Adaptation Insights project seeks to change this by revolutionizing how climate adaptation is measured and implemented. By generating high-quality, actionable data, the project equips governments, development partners, and investors with tools to prioritize and scale effective adaptation strategies. Rooted in inclusivity, it integrates local knowledge to ensure that solutions are practical and impactful. Launched in Nairobi with key stakeholders from research, policy, and development, Adaptation Insights is setting a gold standard for adaptation measurement that could shape global discussions ahead of COP30. Backed by the Gates Foundation and led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, this initiative has the potential to transform resilience-building efforts across Africa and beyond.
Feasibility of biochar technology to support the sustainable intensification and decarbonization of cocoa production in West-Africa
(Presentation, 2024) Pulleman, Mirjam; Hougni, Deo-Gratias; Rahn, Eric; Barrio, Julian; Coppus, Ruben; Nguyen, Thuy Thanh; Roobroeck, dries; Talsma, Tiffany
Decarbonization represents a major challenge for global commodity value chains, including cocoa. As biochar is increasingly presented as an effective carbon removal technology, it has attracted the attention of the chocolate industry. Moreover, potential agronomic and environmental benefits of biochar production and its utilisation in tropical soils could contribute to sustainable intensification of cocoa cultivation. Yet, scaling of biochar technologies has not yet been observed. We therefore explored the technical and environmental feasibility of biochar production in the context of smallholder cocoa farming in Ivory Coast and Ghana, responsible for more than 60% of the global supply. We combined extensive literature review with expert interviews to inform a carbon accounting model. The model calculates a carbon balance associated with different scenarios of biochar production and incorporation in soil under cocoa cultivation, compared to a baseline representing current practices. Next, we synthesised practical challenges and opportunities for adoption and scaling, based on the same interviews. The carbon removal potential of biochar is fully realised only if its production is coupled with bioenergetic applications that displace GHG emissions from non-sustainably sourced energy. In the most plausible scenario, the woody pruned residues and cocoa pod husks are gasified in improved cookstoves yielding ~20% biochar. Largest uncertainties arose from the use of fossil fuel powered machines for feedstock crushing, biochar grinding, and transport from and to conversion site. Additional challenges for scaling include labour demand, feedstock availability, application rates, equipment reproducibility at local scale, and lack of proven yield response. Opportunities include biochar co-composting in nutrient deficient soils, and application of biochar to seedlings exposed to drought conditions (nursery and replanting) and in light-textured, acidic soils. The study highlights consolidated knowledge and priorities for further research. Low technology readiness for current cocoa farmers, further exacerbated by economic challenges, will need to be addressed for farmers and industry to benefit from the opportunities of biochar.
A simple age-structured, temperature-dependent population growth model of brown rice hopper (Nilaparvata lugens (Stal))
(Preprint, 2025-01-19) Wei, Xiaojing; Balanza, Jane Girly; Ngoc, Vu Thi Bich; Giles, James Edward; Swaans, Cornelis
Brown rice hopper (BRH), a key insect pest to rice, is known can change its longevity and fecundity due to rising temperature. Here we modeled the response of BRH population growth to temperature using an age-structured population growth model, based on reported responses of BRH development time, survival, and fecundity to temperature. We applied this model to predict historical level of BRH population growth in the Mekong River Delta (MRD) and compared the predictions with historically observed percentages of rice fields infested by BRH. The model was able to capture the seasonal variation in BRH infestation and the optimal temperature for BRH activities (app. 26.5 degrees C). These results highlighted the importance of temperature in regulating BRH population growth. The model, with further improvements as discussed, could be used for projecting BRH activity under rising temperatures or predicting BRH outbreaks due to seasonal temperature anomalies.
Using digital tools for a sustainable transition in small- scale livestock farming in Brazil: Results from workshops with local action partners
(Report, 2024-12) Oliviera, Denis; Laurens, Violaine; Pereira, Mariana
This report summarizes the results of three workshops about the use of digital tools to support the sustainable transition of family livestock farming in Brazil, organized by Solidaridad in November 2024 in the context of the Inclusive Digital Tools (ATDT) project. The Inclusive Digital Tools Project (ATDT) aims to make digital technologies accessible to all, to integrate resilience and climate change mitigation with agroecological objectives and train farmers to develop new practices. It is an initiative of the Agroecological Transitions Program for Building Resilient and Inclusive Agricultural & Food Systems (TRANSITIONS), funded by the European Union through its DeSIRA initiative and managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The TRANSITIONS program seeks to support large-scale agroecological transitions through the development and adoption of multidimensional performance indicators for food and agricultural systems, inclusive digital tools, incentives and public and private sector investments for food systems. Solidaridad has been working in the South of Pará, along the Transamazonian highway for over 10 years, supporting rural families in the adoption of better production practices with the objective of boosting family income while reducing carbon emissions and deforestation. As part of the ATDT project, Solidaridad conducted a highly collaborative co-creation process involving over 90 extension staff, farmers, and IT developers that resulted in the development of a mobile application called Solis. Launched publicly in October 2024, this innovative tool replicates social media mechanisms to enable farmers and extensionists to continuously engage in the co-creation of knowledge, providing them with the opportunity to share their own experiences and insights. With a simple and intuitive interface, Solis allows users to publish videos—whether produced by themselves or shared from other social networks—on techniques, experiences, and knowledge related to agricultural production, thereby fostering an interactive environment for the generation and dissemination of local knowledge. As an open application available to any user with the Android operating system, Solis can also be accessed by other stakeholders interested in exchanging knowledge and techniques for more sustainable agricultural production. In this way, Solis serves as a valuable tool for promoting the ongoing exchange of information among small producers, researchers, policymakers, decision-makers, market agents, expand outreach of technical assistance, and support the transition from a traditional bottom-up approach to a more interactive, two-way communication model with farmers. In addition to the development of Solis, the ATDT project also resulted in the publication of a comprehensive training curriculum for sustainable livestock production. This curriculum outlines the methodology for co-creating locally relevant practices with farmers, extension staff, and experts, drawing on insights from its application in the Transamazon region. It includes a detailed overview of Solis, as well as practical guidance on using the platform to disseminate information about sustainable livestock farming practices. Following the launch of Solis and the publication of the curriculum, Solidaridad organized three workshops with key stakeholders in the livestock value chain at the municipal level in Novo Repartimento and at the state level in Pará and Mato Grosso. The workshops aimed to discuss how digital tools can support and accelerate the transition to a sustainable livestock production model, as well as gather suggestions from participants to make the Sustainability Curriculum and the Solis app useful and relevant in their local context. Attendees included representatives from municipal and state environmental and agricultural secretariats, farmer organizations, NGOs, private sector entities, and academic institutions. The objective of this report is to document and share key contributions from these stakeholders, with the hope that this will facilitate the adoption of the curriculum in other regions for the co-creation of relevant sustainable and agroecological practices tailored to the local context, as well as promote the use of Solis as a channel for the dissemination and sharing of knowledge about sustainable practices.
Strengthening and sustaining the EWS for fall armyworm and striga management in Rwanda and Ghana
(Report, 2024-12-31) Landmann, Tobias; Ouedraogo, Mathieu
RIICE development in Cote d’Ivoire : AfricaRice report of 2024. Transforming Agrifood Systems in West and Central Africa Initiative (TAFS-WCA)
(Report, 2024-12-31) Yéo Yassongui, Serge-Alin; Kouadio, Kouamé Serge Alain; Elliott, Dossou-Yovo; Ouedraogo, Mathieu; Singh, Manjari
Côte d'Ivoire has significant potential for rice production, yet the country remains heavily reliant on imports due to low yields and limited adoption of improved technologies. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges, affecting rice productivity and food security. The Remote Sensing-based Information and Insurance for Crops in Emerging Economies (RIICE) decision support system was introduced to provide reliable, real-time data on rice cultivation, yield forecasts, and climate-related risks. This report details activities conducted by AfricaRice in 2024 related to the adaptation and implementation of the RIICE tool in Côte d'Ivoire through field experiments, georeferencing of rice fields, and the collection of leaf area index (LAI) data as well as feedback from stakeholders to ensure the tool is co-designed, responds to the local needs and that challenges related to infrastructure requirements and capacity building are addressed in the road for institutionalization. The findings highlight the potential of RIICE to enhance rice sector planning, improve resilience among smallholder farmers, and support policy decisions for achieving rice self-sufficiency.
RIICE activities in Ivory Coast 2024. Transforming Agrifood Systems in West and Central Africa Initiative (TAFS-WCA)
(Report, 2024-12-31) Murugesan, Deiveegan; Satapathy, Sushree; Akpoffo, Marius; Gatti, Luca; Maunahan, Aileen; Dossou-Yovo, Elliot; Holecz, Francesco; Mathieu, Renaud; Ouedraogo, Mathieu

Browse

Recent Submissions