608
1 Introduction
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) primarily depend on agriculture for economic growth and livelihoods. However, a majority of the households, especially
rural smallholder farmers, are continually food insecure and have limited livelihood
opportunities in the wake of climate change. This is caused by many factors including political and institutional challenges as well as unsustainable practices in agriculture, agroecology, and overall natural resource management.Thus, the need for
implementation of knowledge-based sustainable agro-ecological and natural
resource management systems, and of the best management practices (BMPs), cannot be overemphasized.
The conference, on the proceedings of which this book is based, was organized
in Malawi to present and discuss the major challenges related to sustainable management of natural resources, agricultural and livestock production, and assess the
importance of innovative technologies and policies in order to identify solutions for
these problems. The major issues covered in the book include: (i) conservation agriculture, carbon sequestration, and soil and water management, (ii) sustainable crop/
livestock/aquaculture/fish production, (iii) policy and institutions for sustainable
agriculture (CA) and natural resource management, (iv) value addition options for
smallholder’s market access and integration, and (v) up-scaling innovative technologies on smallholder farms. These issues are presented in the face of changing
climate in SSA countries.
Therefore, the main aim of this chapter is to provide a brief synthesis of the topics covered in the book and to identify some emerging development issues and
research priorities.
2 Rationale and Objectives of the Conference
The research project on the Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change in
Malawi (CABMACC) was implemented through the Lilongwe University of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in collaboration with the Norwegian
University of Life Sciences (NMBU) during 2014–2018. The overall objective of
the program was to improve livelihoods and food security through innovative
responses and enhanced capacity of adaptation to climate change. The CABMACC
was aimed at strengthening the teaching, training, research, technology development, and outreach for climate change adaptation and mitigation planning at
LUANAR. To document and synthesize the results obtained during this program
and to identify and share the major findings, which could result in identification of
recommendations and policy-driven documents, an international conference on
“Sustainable Agricultural and Natural Resource Management under Changing
Climate in Sub Saharan Africa” was organized in Lilongwe, Malawi in October
2018. The objectives of the conference were to:
B. R. Singh et al.
1 Introduction
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) primarily depend on agriculture for economic growth and livelihoods. However, a majority of the households, especially
rural smallholder farmers, are continually food insecure and have limited livelihood
opportunities in the wake of climate change. This is caused by many factors including political and institutional challenges as well as unsustainable practices in agriculture, agroecology, and overall natural resource management.Thus, the need for
implementation of knowledge-based sustainable agro-ecological and natural
resource management systems, and of the best management practices (BMPs), cannot be overemphasized.
The conference, on the proceedings of which this book is based, was organized
in Malawi to present and discuss the major challenges related to sustainable management of natural resources, agricultural and livestock production, and assess the
importance of innovative technologies and policies in order to identify solutions for
these problems. The major issues covered in the book include: (i) conservation agriculture, carbon sequestration, and soil and water management, (ii) sustainable crop/
livestock/aquaculture/fish production, (iii) policy and institutions for sustainable
agriculture (CA) and natural resource management, (iv) value addition options for
smallholder’s market access and integration, and (v) up-scaling innovative technologies on smallholder farms. These issues are presented in the face of changing
climate in SSA countries.
Therefore, the main aim of this chapter is to provide a brief synthesis of the topics covered in the book and to identify some emerging development issues and
research priorities.
2 Rationale and Objectives of the Conference
The research project on the Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change in
Malawi (CABMACC) was implemented through the Lilongwe University of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in collaboration with the Norwegian
University of Life Sciences (NMBU) during 2014–2018. The overall objective of
the program was to improve livelihoods and food security through innovative
responses and enhanced capacity of adaptation to climate change. The CABMACC
was aimed at strengthening the teaching, training, research, technology development, and outreach for climate change adaptation and mitigation planning at
LUANAR. To document and synthesize the results obtained during this program
and to identify and share the major findings, which could result in identification of
recommendations and policy-driven documents, an international conference on
“Sustainable Agricultural and Natural Resource Management under Changing
Climate in Sub Saharan Africa” was organized in Lilongwe, Malawi in October
2018. The objectives of the conference were to:
B. R. Singh et al.