The push to make farming in Eastern and Central Africa more resilient to climate change has gained fresh momentum, following the validation of the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Scaling Strategy developed by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).
The comprehensive roadmap, which aims to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart farming solutions, was reviewed during a three-day stakeholder consultation and validation workshop held in Nairobi from September 29 to October 1, 2025.
The workshop brought together policymakers, researchers, farmer representatives, agribusiness investors, and development partners to discuss how to sustainably transform agriculture in the face of climate threats.
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The CSA Scaling Strategy is part of ASARECA’s ongoing Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, funded by the World Bank and implemented in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. The goal is to strengthen national capacities across the region to scale up climate-smart innovations, promote access to climate information services, and mobilize financing for resilient agricultural systems.
ASARECA Executive Director Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma underscored the importance of stakeholder input and regional ownership.
“We are here to consult stakeholders from the various countries on the climate-smart agriculture scaling strategy. This is very important because we need to get views from the various members so that the strategy, once developed, is owned by all the countries, the member states and the various partners who work with us,” he said.
Dr. Baguma warned that climate change remains an enduring challenge for African agriculture, calling for immediate and collective action.
“Not until we get solutions that help us to be resilient can we manage. The strategy is helping us to identify and scale technologies and innovations that can help farmers withstand climate shocks and still produce sufficient food sustainably,” he said.
He further described the CSA Strategy as a blueprint with continental relevance.
“We feel that this strategy will not only work for the 15 ASARECA member states, but also beyond, because the approaches are applicable and adaptable. They can be copied and used even in West and South Africa,” he added.
Dr. Baguma urged governments to move beyond policy statements to tangible action.
“Developing a strategy is one thing; implementing it is another. I urge all countries in East and Central Africa to give this initiative maximum attention so that our farmers can produce nutritious food and overcome hidden hunger. Implementation is where impact begins,” he emphasized.
Speaking during the forum, Dr. John Recha, a climate researcher at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), highlighted that each country must tailor its climate-smart practices to its own environment.
“Each of the 15 member countries has specific climate challenges. Since all depend heavily on agriculture, the sector is the most affected by climate change, leading to food and nutrition insecurity,” he said.
Dr. Recha explained that successful scaling requires inclusivity and strong partnerships. He noted that In scaling, you bring together all stakeholders — the private sector, agro-dealers, processors, farmers, and policymakers. “Political leaders must also be part of this because policy decisions like reducing taxes on fertilizers or seeds make a huge difference for farmers,” he noted.
Julian Barungi, ASARECA’s Programme Officer for Policy and Manager of the AICCRA project, outlined key obstacles the strategy seeks to overcome — from limited awareness to affordability issues.
“Many farmers have not adopted these technologies for various reasons. Some are not aware of them, others cannot access or afford them, and some do not fully understand their benefits,” she said.
Barungi explained that the roadmap provides a clear path up to 2035, identifying context-specific solutions across diverse agroecological zones — from the highlands of Uganda and Rwanda to the arid plains of northern Kenya.
“It focuses on how we can scale these technologies in various agroecological zones in Eastern and Central Africa, whether they are highlands, lowlands, arid, semi-arid areas, or coastal plains,” she added.
She also stressed the need for supportive policies and institutional frameworks.
“For these technologies to be scaled, they need an enabling policy environment. Ministries of Agriculture and National Research Institutes must deliberately integrate climate-smart agriculture into their policies and strategies,” Barungi said.
Building capacity among farmers and researchers is another cornerstone of the strategy.
“Low capacity remains a barrier to adoption. The strategy outlines how we can enhance the capacity of farmers to apply these technologies and empower scientists to innovate and disseminate them effectively,” she said.
Barungi emphasized that climate resilience across agricultural value chains is central to the vision.
“Climate change is here to stay. We’ve put in place deliberate measures to strengthen value chains across Eastern and Central Africa so that they can withstand the shocks of a changing climate,” she noted.
According to ASARECA, the final CSA Scaling Strategy is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and launched before the close of the year.
“For any strategy to work, it has to be co-developed, owned, and implemented. We have involved all relevant stakeholders to ensure ownership and commitment,” Barungi affirmed.
A Pathway to Climate-Resilient Farming
For smallholder farmers across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and other member states, the CSA Scaling Strategy represents more than a policy framework — it’s a lifeline for future food security.
By promoting innovations such as drought-tolerant crops, precision irrigation, improved livestock management, and climate advisory services, the initiative aims to protect livelihoods, reduce losses, and enhance productivity.
With unpredictable rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and shifting growing seasons, this strategy offers renewed hope to millions of farmers. By translating scientific research into practical, affordable, and context-specific solutions, ASARECA and its partners are paving the way for a more sustainable and food-secure Africa — one climate-smart farm at a time.
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