Blog Simple Ways to Boost Benefits of Climate-Smart Agriculture

One of the most significant impacts of climate change on agriculture is the increasing occurrence of droughts; therefore, in the interest of increasing farmers’ resilience, the use of drought-resilient varieties is important for farmers in many parts of the world. This principle of climate-smart agriculture allows farmers to thrive in low-water conditions, primarily by adopting new crop varieties that work better in drier conditions. Ways to introduce drought-resilient varieties include: 

• New adapted varieties: Whilst genetically modified crops offer increasing numbers of drought-resistant crops, the Alliance does extensive work on gene editing. Unlike genetic modification, gene editing accelerates the process that farmers have carried out for centuries of gradually identifying and prioritizing better-performing varieties, making small adaptations to the seed’s existing genetic material. Discover more about the Alliance’s Gene Editing Platform here. 

• The use of traditional varieties: In many regions, traditional or Indigenous crop varieties are being sidelined in favor of common commercial varieties. However, they are often naturally better adapted to the local climate, meaning that by using them, farmers would be more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate. At the Alliance, genebanks and community seedbanks are an important part of our work, and our collections – including ‘Future Seeds’, or largest collection in Palmira, Colombia – safeguard many traditional varieties from across the world. Whilst the incorporation of local varieties holds great potential to build resilience to climate change, it is also the case that traditional varieties from one part of the world may work well in others; for example, Alliance scientists found that banana varieties native to the Philippines now also work well to the new climate dynamics of many regions in Eastern Africa. In conclusion, whether underutilized varieties are repopularized in their area of origin, or if heirloom varieties are introduced in areas of the world where production is challenged, traditional varieties may be a core principle of climate-smart agriculture that holds the key to increasing farmers’ resilience. 

The climate-smart agriculture principle of adopting drought-tolerant varieties has multiple benefits. Not only does it increase farmers resilience as a form of climate change adaptation; the use of drought-resilient varieties reduces the need for irrigation, simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of these crops and reducing the cost for farmers. 

Agroforestry is the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, and it offers a powerful way to increase the resilience of farming systems to climate change. Trees offer several benefits that align with the goals of climate-smart agriculture, including: 

• Carbon sequestration: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change: one of climate-smart agriculture’s core objectives. 

• Windbreaks and shade: Trees act as natural barriers that protect crops from strong winds, reducing erosion and evaporation. They also provide shade, which can help maintain cooler temperatures in areas where extreme heat threatens crop yields, thus adapting to climate change using natural methods. 

• Biodiversity support: Trees provide habitat for wildlife including pollinators and pest predators, thereby promoting a balanced ecosystem and reducing the need for chemical pesticides, thus enhancing environmental health and crop productivity without inputs that may damage the soil. 

• Microclimate regulation: Trees act as windbreaks, protect soil from erosion, and provide shade, which reduces heat stress on crops and animals. By regulating the microclimate, agroforestry reduces the negative impacts of extreme temperatures and winds on agricultural productivity. 

• Diversification of income: Agroforestry allows farmers to diversify their income by producing additional products like timber, fruits, nuts, or medicinal plants. This diversification reduces the economic risk associated with crop failure due to climate-related events. 

Delivering on climate-smart agriculture’s triple objective of climate change mitigation, adaptation and on-farm productivity, agroforestry practices mitigate climate change, protect the agricultural landscape, increase productivity through natural soil and pest management, whilst also increasing farmers’ resilience by providing secondary incomes from timber, fruits, and nuts. Agroforestry systems also provide habitats for beneficial wildlife, such as pollinators and natural predators of pests, which supports integrated pest management and reduces the need for synthetic pesticides. 

Monoculture (the practice of growing a single crop over a large area, common in large-scale industrial farming systems) often heavily relies on chemical inputs and regular soil disruption, leaving farms highly vulnerable to pests, diseases, and climate fluctuations. Diversification is a key component of climate-smart agriculture. By relying on a variety of crops and farming systems, farmers can spread their risk and improve resilience to pests, diseases, and unpredictable weather patterns. 

• Intercropping: Growing multiple crops together in the same field can enhance biodiversity and reduce the reliance on chemical inputs. Different crops use nutrients differently, which prevents soil depletion and promotes a healthier ecosystem. 

• Mixed farming and integrated livestock management: Combining crop cultivation with livestock creates a symbiotic relationship where animals can graze on crop residues whilst providing manure that, in turn, fertilizes the soil. This integrated approach reduces waste and creates a more balanced ecosystem on the farm. 

• Agroecology and permaculture: Both agroecology and permaculture emphasize working with nature to create self-sustaining ecosystems. These approaches integrate a variety of crops, animals, and natural systems to create a more resilient and productive farming system. 

One of the core components of climate-smart agriculture – in the benefit of climate change adaptation, increased productivity and resilient livelihoods – is the diversification of farming systems, which can take done in multiple ways, primarily those explored above.  

For climate-smart agriculture to be successful, farmers must have the knowledge and skills to implement new practices effectively. Capacity building through education, training, and knowledge-sharing platforms is essential. 

• Farmer field schools: These educational setups offer hands-on training for farmers to learn climate-smart techniques and experiment with new crops and technologies in a supportive environment. These trainings are sometimes carried out by agronomic experts or by fellow farmers who have successfully adopted new techniques or resources. 

• Extension services: Agricultural extension services provide expert advice to farmers, helping them stay informed about the latest research and innovations in climate-smart agriculture. The use of extension services has also been popularized through examples such as the popular ‘Shamba Shape Up’ TV series in Kenya. 

• Community-based organizations (CBOs): CBOs can facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources among farmers, helping them implement climate-smart practices collectively. This is especially important in areas where individual farmers may struggle to adopt new techniques on their own. 

• Digital tools and mobile apps: The rise of mobile technology offers new opportunities for knowledge sharing. Apps that provide weather forecasts, pest alerts, and market prices allow farmers to make real-time decisions that enhance productivity and resilience. Such knowledge-sharing tools are often part of what is often known as ‘climate information services’ - a key area of work for the Alliance. 

By investing in education and knowledge-sharing, farmers can better adapt to the challenges of climate change and make more informed decisions about their farming practices.