Climate Smart Agriculture

Implications for Feed the FutureA Framework

Moffatt K. Ngugi Climate Change, NRM & Ag Program Analyst

Bureau for Food Security (CSI) 1300 Pennsylvania Ave 2.10.40, NW, Washington DC 20523

TEL: 202.712.0476 | mngugi@usaid.gov

Context/HistoryDefinitions

Implications

Outline

USAID supports and advances best practices in agriculture and rural development.

2010: Feed the Future Guide ~ climate change and environment crosscutting themes, guidance on adaptation and resilience.

Experience and new policy directives ~ consider mitigation opportunities to advance climate-smart approaches strengthening adaptation and resilience

USAID legacy in Agriculture and food security

The intersection of climate change and agriculture

• Climate change poses major risks – erratic temperatures, precipitation changes,

rising sea levels and the increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

• Small-holder farmers, pastoralists and fishers especially vulnerable as their production systems often lack the resources to manage an effective response to climate threats.

Image from http://bit.ly/1BhCdBb

Development Policy Context for CSA

• September 23, 2014 President Obama issued Executive Order #13677 on Climate-Resilient International Development at the UN Secretary-General’s “Climate Summit”

• USG joined many other nations and organizations in launching the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture

A working definition of CSASustainably increasing agricultural productivity and

incomes;Adapting and building resilience to climate change;

andReducing and/or removing greenhouse gas

emissions, where appropriate (the FAO definition uses possible).

Image courtesy of FAO

CSA Aspirational principles• Holistic approach: CSA is not a practice(s), dynamically considers challenges that

arise at the intersection of climate change and agriculture

• Intentionality: thoughtfulness of coping strategies (adaptation) and, where appropriate, how activities will impact climate change (mitigation)

• Multiple benefits: integrate options to maximize synergies and reduce tradeoffs & achieve multiple benefits.

• Context specific: specific to the relevant geography and climate change impacts as well as socio-economic, political, cultural, and environmental factors.

• Long-term perspective: acknowledges and addresses short term needs while encouraging a long-term optic of future climate change impacts/uncertainties. Embeds agility to incorporate and act on new information

Programmatic and implementation implication

1.Sound climate data and science.

2.Development of climate smart technologies and innovations

3.Strengthen human and institutional capacity.

4.Strengthen the enabling environment.

5.Partnerships for Impact.

Challenges & opportunities

Use M&E systems within the Agency: Consultation across USAID: Missions,

Regional Bureaus, Pillar Bureaus…Leveraging expertise: CCAFS, FAO, WB…Incorporating CSA at policy and program

levelsKnowledge Management:Integrating CSA in Research Programs:

Innovation Labs, HESN, HICD/BIFADScaling agricultural technologies