359
ing its context specificity lies at the root of many of our challenges. It is easy to
separate ourselves, our inner attitudes, and our psychological state, from our work.
CSA is thus lacking the inclusion of skills for inner resilience, such as appreciation
of interdependence, mindfulness, and other psychological aspects of the human
dimension that enable transformation in individuals practicing CSA.
Current priority actions for CSA towards the transformation of smallholder farming systems Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for most rural households
in Africa. It provides food, income, and jobs and can thus be an engine of economic
growth in rural areas and beyond (Dethier and Effenberger 2012). As climate change
continues to threaten agriculture and smallholder livelihoods, it is important that
actions are taken to reduce risks and capitalize on opportunities. Unlocking the
potential of smallholder farmers through CSA can potentially play a vital role in
transforming agriculture in African countries.
Smallholder farmers are facing numerous challenges, especially in terms of
access to essential factors of production such as financial capital, natural capital
(soils, water) inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides), knowledge, technology, infrastructure, and services, and also have to cope with poor market access (Hertel and
Rosch 2010). Despite the many challenges they face, smallholders have proven to
be champions of adaptation, able to cope and survive in the changing environmental
and socioeconomic conditions throughout history. Thus, smallholder farmers can be
the agents of change in the transformation of agricultural systems in Africa. In order
to drive sustainable agricultural development that builds resilience and increases
adaptive capacity, however, they need to be provided with knowledge and incentives
to adapt. In this section, we present some of the priorities that need to be addressed
by policymakers and other stakeholders in order to facilitate adaptation of climatesmart agricultural practices.
While CSA takes into account the four dimensions of food security, namely,
availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability, the increased productivity in
agriculture is the main entry point (FAO 2013). In this regard, CSA borrows heavily
from the concept of sustainable intensification (Campbell et al. 2014). Sustainable
agricultural intensification is defined as producing more output from the same area
of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts and at the same time
increasing contributions to natural capital and the flow of environmental services
(Pretty 2008). One of the key points of increased productivity is the closing of the
yield gap (Pradhan et al. 2015). The best yields that can be obtained locally depend
on the capacity of farmers to access and use, among other things, seeds, water, nutrients, pest management, soils, biodiversity, and knowledge (Godfray et al. 2010).
Low yields occur because of technical constraints that prevent farmers from increasing productivity, or for economic reasons arising from market conditions. Productive
and sustainable agricultural systems make the best of both crop varieties and livestock breeds and their agroecological and agronomic management. Improving agricultural productivity is central to reducing poverty and food security. According to
Irz et al. (2001), every 10% increase in farm yields leads to a 7% reduction in poverty in Africa. More food produced on farms enhances food security and may lead
Need for Personal Transformations in a Changing Climate: Reflections…
ing its context specificity lies at the root of many of our challenges. It is easy to
separate ourselves, our inner attitudes, and our psychological state, from our work.
CSA is thus lacking the inclusion of skills for inner resilience, such as appreciation
of interdependence, mindfulness, and other psychological aspects of the human
dimension that enable transformation in individuals practicing CSA.
Current priority actions for CSA towards the transformation of smallholder farming systems Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for most rural households
in Africa. It provides food, income, and jobs and can thus be an engine of economic
growth in rural areas and beyond (Dethier and Effenberger 2012). As climate change
continues to threaten agriculture and smallholder livelihoods, it is important that
actions are taken to reduce risks and capitalize on opportunities. Unlocking the
potential of smallholder farmers through CSA can potentially play a vital role in
transforming agriculture in African countries.
Smallholder farmers are facing numerous challenges, especially in terms of
access to essential factors of production such as financial capital, natural capital
(soils, water) inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides), knowledge, technology, infrastructure, and services, and also have to cope with poor market access (Hertel and
Rosch 2010). Despite the many challenges they face, smallholders have proven to
be champions of adaptation, able to cope and survive in the changing environmental
and socioeconomic conditions throughout history. Thus, smallholder farmers can be
the agents of change in the transformation of agricultural systems in Africa. In order
to drive sustainable agricultural development that builds resilience and increases
adaptive capacity, however, they need to be provided with knowledge and incentives
to adapt. In this section, we present some of the priorities that need to be addressed
by policymakers and other stakeholders in order to facilitate adaptation of climatesmart agricultural practices.
While CSA takes into account the four dimensions of food security, namely,
availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability, the increased productivity in
agriculture is the main entry point (FAO 2013). In this regard, CSA borrows heavily
from the concept of sustainable intensification (Campbell et al. 2014). Sustainable
agricultural intensification is defined as producing more output from the same area
of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts and at the same time
increasing contributions to natural capital and the flow of environmental services
(Pretty 2008). One of the key points of increased productivity is the closing of the
yield gap (Pradhan et al. 2015). The best yields that can be obtained locally depend
on the capacity of farmers to access and use, among other things, seeds, water, nutrients, pest management, soils, biodiversity, and knowledge (Godfray et al. 2010).
Low yields occur because of technical constraints that prevent farmers from increasing productivity, or for economic reasons arising from market conditions. Productive
and sustainable agricultural systems make the best of both crop varieties and livestock breeds and their agroecological and agronomic management. Improving agricultural productivity is central to reducing poverty and food security. According to
Irz et al. (2001), every 10% increase in farm yields leads to a 7% reduction in poverty in Africa. More food produced on farms enhances food security and may lead
Need for Personal Transformations in a Changing Climate: Reflections…