This paper provides a formative evaluation of picture-based advisories (PBA), using a cluster randomized trial in the states of Punjab and Haryana in northern India.

Community-based forestry (CBF) has been promoted as a potential win-win solution for improving forest conservation and livelihood outcomes. Incorporating location-specific factors from participants’ perspectives in the design and implementation of CBF has been noted as an important prerequisite for ensuring positive outcomes. This study investigates benefits and challenges of CBF perceived by participating farmers in two Community Forests (HKM – Hutan Kemasyarakatan) in Lampung, Indonesia. Two sites were chosen systematically based on their distinct biophysical characteristics.

The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) undertook participatory action research in Myanmar to establish climate-smart villages (CSVs) in four unique agro-ecologies. This research was funded by CGIAR-CCAFS and the International Development Research Center in Canada (IDRC). Sakta Village is one of these four CSVs operated by IIRR and its local partner, Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS). It is located at Hakha Township in the north-east of Chin State situated 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) above sea level.

The study assessed the impact of CCAFS engagement at policy and household level in Kenya. Specifically, the study assessed the extent to which CCAFS engagement contributed to the observed changes in terms of shaping policy and CSA coordination among others. At the household level the study assessed the factors influencing uptake of CSA practices among smallholder farmers and the subsequent impact of the CSA practices on household dietary diversity, value of household livestock holding and household assets and per capita monthly expenditure as well as GHG emission.

Sustainable intensification (SI) is promoted as a rural development paradigm for sub-Saharan Africa. Achieving SI requires smallholder farmers to have access to information that is context-specific, increases their decision-making capacities, and adapts to changing environments. Current extension services often struggle to address these needs. New mobile phone-based services can help. In order to enhance the public extension service in Tanzania, we created a digital service that addresses smallholder farmers’ different information needs for implementing SI.

This report describes a methodological approach for the co-development of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for effective access and use of climate information service by farmers and pastoralists in the Great Green Wall intervention zone of Mali. The implementation started with the characterisation of the strengths and weaknesses of potential public-private partners institutions including the National Agency of the Great Green Wall (ANGMVM), the National Meterological Agency (MALI-METEO), the Mobile phone company (Orange Mali) and the Institute of Rural Economy (IER).

Dairy development is a promising pathway out of poverty for smallholder farmers as demand for animal-sourced foods is projected to rise. Feed is a critically limiting factor in productivity of smallholder dairy systems in East Africa. This study aims to introduce and provide proof-of-concept for a relatively simple approach to quantify feeding systems and feed gaps in data-scarce smallholder systems. Feed gap here is defined as the difference between livestock feed demand for an attainable milk production level (attainable feed demand) and actual feed supply at individual herd level.

This study highlighted the importance of farmers’ understanding of the climate change effects, and identified recommendations on how to target women and enhance support services to increase the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. However, measures to increase women’s participation should be tailored to the local context. It would not be prudent to generalize recommendations for engaging women across different geographic, agroecological and socio-cultural contexts. Land tenure considerations must also be factored in planning the CSA interventions.

This research activity pursues three specific objectives: 1)Evaluate existing collaboration and mechanisms for mainstreaming CIS and agro-advisories into the activities conducted by the Great Green Wall National Agency of Mali; 2) Develop Public-Private Partnerships for the sustainable management of climate risks in the zone of the Great Green Wall; 3) Define activities, roles and
responsibilities and possible contractual issues for the sharing of costs and benefits between the actors involved in Climate Information Service activities in Mali.

Cassava is growing in importance in Nigeria as a food and industrial crop. Current yields are low due to poor soil fertility and because farmers do not use improved germplasm, clean planting material, or improved crop management in Nigeria. To provide feasible agronomic recommendations targeting increased root yield, the effects of tillage intensity, fertilizer application, plant density and weed control were tested in 230 farmers’ fields in southwestern Nigeria over two years.

Through this initiative of public private partnership development, ICRISAT/CCAFS aims to analyze the partnership’s environment to establish the public private partnership required to promote the sustainable use of climate services and agro-advisories for improving management of climatic risks by farmers and pastoralists from the GGW area in Mali.