Rationale for CSA intervention

Smallholder farmers, crop traders and consumers across Eastern Africa are currently experiencing the impact of climate change in their respective value chains and livelihoods, with far-reaching consequences for the agriculture sector, management of natural resources and the food security situation. Yield drops and crop losses projected for major cash and food crops. Climate change is projected to amplify existing risks and create new risks for agricultural production and environmental systems. If no adaptive measures are taken, the impact of climate change on crop yields in the East African region is largely negative. This challenge demands a response that integrates enhanced food security of the most vulnerable groups with climate adaptation and mitigation of food crop production and supply systems, and puts investment towards those interventions that lead to a market driven adoption and scaling of inclusive climate smart business developments. By adopting climate smart and ecologically sustainable production improvements, the productivity of the existing food crop supply systems can be markedly improved (see https://csa.guide/#chapter-1). This requires concerted efforts and joint investments by the supply chain partners in the different crop value chains as well as public partners and support agencies. There is a clear opportunity for smallholder farmers (male & female) in East Africa to adapt their farming businesses and minimise the negative effects of climate change. Economic gains for farmers, agri-SME’s and other supply chain partners will provide the incentives for the required change processes. Government agencies in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda together with private sector players and knowledge partners can facilitate this process by creating a more conducive environment and joint investments in CSA food production and supply chain improvements. The Climate Resilient Agrobusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) Programme has been designed as a vehicle to achieve that objective. The implementation strategy of the programme is based on complementary interventions at three levels: (a) farming systems, (b) value chains, and (c) the wider institutional environment.