Climate-smart agriculture
The problem
874 million hectares of Africa’s land is considered suitable for agricultural production. Of this, 83% has serious fertility limitations. In many regions of Ethiopia, particularly in and around Lake Hawassa, soil degradation and damage to natural resources caused by climate change is threatening farmers’ livelihoods and affecting long term food security.
What did we do?
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) helps farmers to manage their resources in ways which protect ecosystems and reduce agriculture’s contribution to climate change. By promoting new methods and technologies, the five-year Improving Smallholder Livelihoods through Climate-Smart Agricultural Economic Development project aimed to alleviate poverty and build resilient, sustainable livelihoods in Ethiopia’s SNNP and Oromia regions.
CSA also aims to help farmers boost their profits, supporting business growth and the development of stronger value chains. By promoting diversification and the growth of cash crops such as haricot beans, this project encouraged agricultural intensification which is both profitable and environmentally friendly.
The following series of documents shares the lessons learnt on each of the project’s key components:
- Small-scale irrigation PDF (610KB)
- Cooperative-based seed multiplication systems PDF (587KB)
- Mango value chain development PDF (897KB)
- Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change PDF (1.34MB)
- Engaging women in entrepreneurial farming businesses PDF (761KB)
- Promoting CSA through revitalising Farmer Training Centres PDF (1.3MB)
- Promoting fuel-saving stoves PDF (1.23MB)
Who did we work for?
We worked with 40,485 households, with a particular focus on women, children and landless youth.
Who did we work with?
This project was funded by Irish Aid, and jointly managed by a consortium of four NGOs: SOS Sahel Ethiopia, Farm Africa, Self Help Africa and Vita.
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