Strengthening Evidence-Based Climate Change Adaptation Policies (SECCAP) for Agriculture with support from Project inception meeting for Malawi 27 May

Background 1.Smallholder farmers, account for the majority of agriculture production in the region;  More than 50 percent of agricultural land allocated to cereals,  Maize accounting for more than 40 percent of the total harvested area 2.The lack of synergy in on-going food security policy processes in Africa e.g. Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP); National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs); Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMAs) 3.Limited scientific evidence to inform policy development ; 4.Coping mechanisms, livelihood strategies and aspirations of rural communities not sufficiently understood; Swaziland: Source: World Bank 2010.

Focal Countries Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland

SECCAP Objectives 1.To generate solid scientific understanding on climate change downscaling; 2.To integrate downscaled climate scenarios with district-wide household vulnerability information; 3.To determine the socio-economic feasibility of recommended cropping options; 4.To develop appropriate policy recommendations, in particular the NAPA priorities in agriculture; 5.To transfer the knowledge generated to decision/policy makers and local communities;

Crop Production Models Downscaled Climate Models Cost Benefit Analysis Enhanced Science Integrated Approach Livelihoods Analysis Informed Policy

Project partners International Food Policy Research Institute University of Venda (South Africa) National University of Lesotho University of Swaziland University of MalawiUniversity of Cape Town

OrganisationRole University of Cape Town, Departments of Meteorological Services Ministries of Agriculture Generate downscaled climate data for one selected district in each of the three project countries Use DSSAT crop model to compute crop yield and production of selected staples in the selected districts Use an optimization model to generate knowledge on production responses to changes in agronomic practices Collate crop production data from FAO statistics and national central statistics IFPRI University of Lesotho University of Malawi University of Swaziland Training on use of the International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) Use IMPACT model to examine alternative futures for food supply, demand, trade, prices and food security Partners role

OrganisationRole World Vision International University of Lesotho University of Malawi University of Swaziland University of Venda Development Data (DD) Facilitate the domestication of existing livelihood databases at university and community levels Train three (policy analysts/socio economists) post graduate students on how to analyse existing household livelihood databases Collate livelihood and cost benefit data from FAO statistics, national central statistics and the FANRPAN livelihood databases Up-scale and integrate livelihood databases with crop production outputs modelling Generate knowledge of vulnerability to guide crafting of adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms Partners role

OrganisationRole World Vision International University of Lesotho, University of Malawi, University of Swaziland, University of Venda Development Data (DD) Develop appropriate policy recommendations - Particularly for the finalization of the Swaziland NAPA, the implementation of the Lesotho and Malawi NAPA priorities in agriculture Dissemination of evidence generated by the project, and localising CAADP processes at community level Partners role

Strengthened local scientific, expertise and local knowledge; Strengthened partnership and networking on adaptation research among different institutions; Use integrated approach to assesses adaptation investment options (combining climate, crop, productivity and livelihoods); Rank cropping adaptation options on the basis of feasibility (climate, cost benefit and policy); Expected outcomes

Knowledge generated on household vulnerability for cropping adaptation for Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland; Strengthened multi-stakeholder/trans-disciplinary national and regional policy dialogue platforms; and NAPAs developed/revised/implemented on the basis of evidence produced. Expected outcomes

Work plan March 2011 to March 2014

Work plan

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