News in Brief:
– IFAD and partners launch $143.4 million initiative to bolster smallholder farmer resilience in Sahel regions.
– The program focuses on restoring degraded lands, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and harnessing innovative solutions to mitigate climate shocks.
In a concerted effort to combat the effects of climate change on smallholder farmers, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has teamed up with several key partners to roll out the Africa Integrated Climate Risk Management Programme (AICRM).
This innovative initiative, announced at a workshop in Banjul, The Gambia, aims to fortify the resilience of farmers in seven Shael countries along the Great Green Wall.
IFAD, alongside collaborators such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the World Food Programme (WFP), will channel resources into empowering farmers in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and The Gambia.
The six-year program boasts a substantial financing package totaling $143.4 million, with significant contributions from various entities, including a generous GCF grant of $82.85 million.
Partnership to harness innovation for resilience
The AICRM initiative seeks to leverage IFADâs existing investments to bolster the resilience of smallholder farmers and rural communities. With a focus on restoring degraded lands and promoting climate-smart agriculture, the program aims to revitalise over 70,000 hectares of forests and pastoral lands while embracing inclusive practices that benefit disadvantaged groups, particularly youth and women.
Dr. Jyotsna Puri, Associate Vice-President of IFADâs Strategy and Knowledge Department, underscored the importance of innovative solutions in bolstering agricultural resilience. Cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced soil measurement tools and early warning systems, hold the key to empowering farmers to mitigate the impacts of climate shocks effectively.
Highlighting the program’s alignment with national development plans, Dr. Demba Sabally, Gambian Minister of Agriculture, emphasised the collaborative nature of the initiative. Engaging stakeholders from government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and farmersâ organisations, the AICRM aims to drive tangible improvements in livelihoods across the Sahel region.
With agriculture serving as a cornerstone of the Sahelian economy, initiatives like the AICRM are essential for safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.
