149
12.4 Implications for Practitioners
Our systematic map provides a first appraisal of the evidence base to assess the
contributions of a wide set of field level technologies to CSA objectives in East and
Southern Africa. Despite more than 50 years of agricultural research, this database
shines a light on potential skew in our knowledge base. It also identifies key areas
for future investments in research. Although the database may not be as comprehensive as desired due to shortcomings on the number of agroecologies, products or
outcomes included, it does provide a wide range of information on many products,
practices and outcomes, and therefore reduces the uncertainty of making decisions
in the countries reflected in the analysis presented here. Over the next 6 months, the
authors will conduct a quantitative meta-analysis—a statistical approach to combine information across studies—to help identify best interventions (and combinations thereof) during the design phase of programmes and policies.
Acknowledgements The CSA Compendium—of which this analysis is a part—has been principally funded by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food
Security’s (CCAFS) Flagship 2 – Climate-smart practices. Supplementary financial support has
been provided by The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO), CCAFS Flagship 3 – Low-emissions development, the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)’s
Evidence- Based Forestry programme. The Compendium has benefitted from the support of more
than 20 PhD students, MSc students and consultants during the effort.
References
Akinnifesi FK, Makumba W, Kwesiga FR (2006) Sustainable maize production using gliricidia/
maize intercropping in southern Malawi. Exp Agric 42(4):441–457
Akinnifesi FK, Makumba W, Sileshi G et al (2007) Synergistic effect of inorganic N and P fertilizers and organic inputs from Gliricidia sepium on productivity of intercropped maize in
Southern Malawi. Plant Soil 294(1–2):203–217
Arslan A, Cavatassi R, Grewer U et al (2017) The theory of change for CSA: a guide
to evidence-based national implementation. Module C11 of the CSA Sourcebook
Version 2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available via.
http://www.fao.org/climate-smart-agriculture-sourcebook/enabling-frameworks/
module-c11-evidence-based-implementation/c11-acknowledegements/en/
Bayala J, Sileshi GW, Coe R et al (2012) Cereal yield response to conservation agriculture practices in drylands of West Africa: a quantitative synthesis. J Arid Environ 78:13–25
Branca G, McCarthy N, Lipper L et al (2011) Climate-smart agriculture: a synthesis of empirical
evidence of food security and mitigation benefits from improved cropland management. Mitig
Clim Chang Agric Ser 3:1–42
Chamshama SAO, Mugasha AG, Kløvstad A et al (1998) Growth and yield of maize alley cropped
with Leucaena leucocephala and Faidherbia albidain Morogoro. Tanzania Agrofor Syst
40(3):215–225
12 What Is the Evidence Base for Climate-Smart Agriculture in East and Southern…
12.4 Implications for Practitioners
Our systematic map provides a first appraisal of the evidence base to assess the
contributions of a wide set of field level technologies to CSA objectives in East and
Southern Africa. Despite more than 50 years of agricultural research, this database
shines a light on potential skew in our knowledge base. It also identifies key areas
for future investments in research. Although the database may not be as comprehensive as desired due to shortcomings on the number of agroecologies, products or
outcomes included, it does provide a wide range of information on many products,
practices and outcomes, and therefore reduces the uncertainty of making decisions
in the countries reflected in the analysis presented here. Over the next 6 months, the
authors will conduct a quantitative meta-analysis—a statistical approach to combine information across studies—to help identify best interventions (and combinations thereof) during the design phase of programmes and policies.
Acknowledgements The CSA Compendium—of which this analysis is a part—has been principally funded by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food
Security’s (CCAFS) Flagship 2 – Climate-smart practices. Supplementary financial support has
been provided by The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO), CCAFS Flagship 3 – Low-emissions development, the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)’s
Evidence- Based Forestry programme. The Compendium has benefitted from the support of more
than 20 PhD students, MSc students and consultants during the effort.
References
Akinnifesi FK, Makumba W, Kwesiga FR (2006) Sustainable maize production using gliricidia/
maize intercropping in southern Malawi. Exp Agric 42(4):441–457
Akinnifesi FK, Makumba W, Sileshi G et al (2007) Synergistic effect of inorganic N and P fertilizers and organic inputs from Gliricidia sepium on productivity of intercropped maize in
Southern Malawi. Plant Soil 294(1–2):203–217
Arslan A, Cavatassi R, Grewer U et al (2017) The theory of change for CSA: a guide
to evidence-based national implementation. Module C11 of the CSA Sourcebook
Version 2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available via.
http://www.fao.org/climate-smart-agriculture-sourcebook/enabling-frameworks/
module-c11-evidence-based-implementation/c11-acknowledegements/en/
Bayala J, Sileshi GW, Coe R et al (2012) Cereal yield response to conservation agriculture practices in drylands of West Africa: a quantitative synthesis. J Arid Environ 78:13–25
Branca G, McCarthy N, Lipper L et al (2011) Climate-smart agriculture: a synthesis of empirical
evidence of food security and mitigation benefits from improved cropland management. Mitig
Clim Chang Agric Ser 3:1–42
Chamshama SAO, Mugasha AG, Kløvstad A et al (1998) Growth and yield of maize alley cropped
with Leucaena leucocephala and Faidherbia albidain Morogoro. Tanzania Agrofor Syst
40(3):215–225
12 What Is the Evidence Base for Climate-Smart Agriculture in East and Southern…