3 Critical Areas Discussed During Climate Agribusiness Event In Nairobi

The Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) project has significantly strengthened smallholder farmers' resilience in East Africa through climate-smart agriculture (CSA).

Since its inception in 2018, CRAFT has successfully promoted CSA techniques, transforming the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Through its innovative private sector-led model, CRAFT has supported the adoption of climate-smart practices by over 266,992 smallholder farmers, with 225,388 implementing at least two CSA methods.

Over 163,511 farmers have seen a marked increase in their incomes, while 56 agribusinesses, including SMEs and cooperatives, received funding to integrate CSA technologies. CRAFT has also generated 1,233 new jobs, showcasing the potential of CSA to drive growth and resilience across the agricultural value chain.

From a policy perspective, CRAFT has been instrumental in creating an enabling environment for CSA adoption.

From left: Stijn van Geel - Regional Manager EA, Agriterra, Michael Macgrath - Country Director SNV Tanzania, Rebecca Hallam - Country Director SNV Kenya, Douglas Kangi - Director, Crop Resources, State Department of Crops, Charles Muga - Deputy Director,  Aeronautical Meteorology, Annemarie Groot - Team Lead, Climate Resilience, Wageningen University & Research and Harold Mate - Project Manager CRAFT Kenya at the Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) Learning Event held on September 24, 2024. /HANDOUT

By addressing key regulatory and policy challenges, the project has set the stage for the long-term sustainability of CSA across East Africa. CRAFT's Climate Innovations and Investment Facility (CIIF) has also played a critical role in unlocking private sector investments and scaling CSA solutions.

These achievements were highlighted during the CRAFT Learning Event held from September 24–26, 2024, at the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi. The event, themed "Private Sector-Oriented Climate-Smart Agriculture for Smallholder Farmer Resilience: The CRAFT Experience," brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including policymakers, agribusinesses, and development partners.

The event was graced by Dr. Paul Ronoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, who underscored the importance of scaling up CSA for enhanced food security and climate resilience.

The discussions focused on three central dimensions critical to CSA uptake:

1. Smallholder Farmers: Emphasizing the adoption of CSA techniques and their impact on farmer incomes, productivity, and resilience.
2. Private Sector Engagement: Exploring the role of agribusinesses in driving CSA innovation and investment.
3. Enabling Policy Environment: Addressing regulatory and policy barriers to creating a conducive environment for CSA adoption and sustainability.

The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on lessons learned from CRAFT’s interventions and chart a path for future CSA implementation in East Africa.