8
can increase farmers’ adaptive capacity by boosting incomes. In contrast, Sloan et al.
examine how private-sector firms, in different parts of the supply chain, view,
understand and engage with climate change and the promotion of CSA technologies. The key factors influencing the readiness of companies to incorporate CSA
into their strategies were found to be specialised staff and a track record of actively
promoting sustainability within the company. The scientific community therefore
needs to provide actionable information to incentivise companies’ investments in
CSA; particularly emphasising returns on investment and the cost of inaction.
Mwongera et al. discuss the need to link climate change analyses with value chain
approaches in designing CSA interventions. Using a case study from Nyandarua
County in Kenya, the authors illustrate how the climate risk profile (CRP) approach
supports identification of major climate risks and their impacts on the value chain,
identifies adaptation interventions, and promotes the mainstreaming of climatechange considerations into development planning at the subnational level. They
conclude that the magnitude of a climate risk varies across value chains. Allen and
de Brauw take an even broader perspective to explore mechanisms that promote
nutrition-sensitive value chains, as part of efforts to manage climate risks and
increase resilience through diversification. Access to improved, biofortified seeds,
reducing post-harvest loss (for example, through adequate storage and the transportation of perishable crops), and diet diversification are key value-chain interventions
for improved nutrition. Vermulen considers the very big picture, describing recent
private-sector progress towards realising CSA targets. The author looks at the
Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative of the WBCSD and shows that the global agrifood sector is exceeding WBCSD targets for global food production, but falling
short on emissions reductions, and failing to track outcomes for farmers’ livelihoods. There are major gaps in information, monitoring, reporting and verification
which need to be tackled if the ambitious CSA targets are to be met. Overall, this
section of the book highlights the instrumental role of systemic, collective action for
promoting climate-smart value chains.
In order to meet global food security ambitions, CSA technologies need to be
accessible and accessed by farmers. The final section of the book discusses mechanisms for bringing CSA to scale. Franzel et al. explore farmer-to-farmer extension
systems and find that these approaches can significantly increase the pool of farmers
adopting CSA practices, but that this varies across practices and contexts. Their
chapter suggests that this innovative advisory approach should not replace traditional, low-performing extension services, but rather complement existing
approaches (such as extension campaigns, farmer field schools or information and
communication technology). Acosta et al. study the role of multi-stakeholder platforms in promoting an enabling policy environment for climate action. These platforms can create ownership, knowledge and science-policy dialogue at various
scales. In a similar vein, Kadzamira et al. discuss the role of different partnership
arrangements in scaling CSA in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Accordingly, successful partnerships for scaling build on existing structures and mechanisms, bring
mutual benefits for all stakeholders, and ensure transparency in decision-making
processes. Finally, Ruben et al. investigate the different rural financial instruments
T. S. Rosenstock et al.
can increase farmers’ adaptive capacity by boosting incomes. In contrast, Sloan et al.
examine how private-sector firms, in different parts of the supply chain, view,
understand and engage with climate change and the promotion of CSA technologies. The key factors influencing the readiness of companies to incorporate CSA
into their strategies were found to be specialised staff and a track record of actively
promoting sustainability within the company. The scientific community therefore
needs to provide actionable information to incentivise companies’ investments in
CSA; particularly emphasising returns on investment and the cost of inaction.
Mwongera et al. discuss the need to link climate change analyses with value chain
approaches in designing CSA interventions. Using a case study from Nyandarua
County in Kenya, the authors illustrate how the climate risk profile (CRP) approach
supports identification of major climate risks and their impacts on the value chain,
identifies adaptation interventions, and promotes the mainstreaming of climatechange considerations into development planning at the subnational level. They
conclude that the magnitude of a climate risk varies across value chains. Allen and
de Brauw take an even broader perspective to explore mechanisms that promote
nutrition-sensitive value chains, as part of efforts to manage climate risks and
increase resilience through diversification. Access to improved, biofortified seeds,
reducing post-harvest loss (for example, through adequate storage and the transportation of perishable crops), and diet diversification are key value-chain interventions
for improved nutrition. Vermulen considers the very big picture, describing recent
private-sector progress towards realising CSA targets. The author looks at the
Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative of the WBCSD and shows that the global agrifood sector is exceeding WBCSD targets for global food production, but falling
short on emissions reductions, and failing to track outcomes for farmers’ livelihoods. There are major gaps in information, monitoring, reporting and verification
which need to be tackled if the ambitious CSA targets are to be met. Overall, this
section of the book highlights the instrumental role of systemic, collective action for
promoting climate-smart value chains.
In order to meet global food security ambitions, CSA technologies need to be
accessible and accessed by farmers. The final section of the book discusses mechanisms for bringing CSA to scale. Franzel et al. explore farmer-to-farmer extension
systems and find that these approaches can significantly increase the pool of farmers
adopting CSA practices, but that this varies across practices and contexts. Their
chapter suggests that this innovative advisory approach should not replace traditional, low-performing extension services, but rather complement existing
approaches (such as extension campaigns, farmer field schools or information and
communication technology). Acosta et al. study the role of multi-stakeholder platforms in promoting an enabling policy environment for climate action. These platforms can create ownership, knowledge and science-policy dialogue at various
scales. In a similar vein, Kadzamira et al. discuss the role of different partnership
arrangements in scaling CSA in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Accordingly, successful partnerships for scaling build on existing structures and mechanisms, bring
mutual benefits for all stakeholders, and ensure transparency in decision-making
processes. Finally, Ruben et al. investigate the different rural financial instruments
T. S. Rosenstock et al.