Climate smart agriculture rapid appraisal (CSA-RA): A tool for prioritizing context-specific climate smart agriculture technologies. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mwongera, Caroline; Shikuku, Kelvin M.; Twyman, Jennifer; Läderach, Peter; Ampaire, Edidah; Van Asten, Piet; Twomlow, Steve; Winowiecki, Leigh A.
• Is Part Of: Agricultural systems. Volume 151(2017)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Climate smart agriculture -- Prioritization -- Context-specific -- Participatory -- Mixed-method approach; Agricultural systems -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 338.16
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2016.05.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-521X

Abstract

Abstract: Approaches that aim to identify and prioritize locally appropriate climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies will need to address the context-specific multi-dimensional complexity in agricultural systems. The climate smart agriculture rapid appraisal (CSA-RA) is a mixed method approach that draws on participatory bottom-up, qualitative, and quantitative tools to assess the heterogeneity of local contexts, and prioritize context-specific CSA options. This is an imperative if countries are to respond to the COP21 agreement and meet their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs). The CSA-RA is designed to assess biophysical including climatic, socio-cultural, economic and technological characteristics at the household, farm and community/regional level. The CSA-RA employs gender-disaggregated methods, including gender differences in perceptions of climate change and its impacts. The CSA-RA combines common participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid rural appraisal (RRA) tools into one methodology, that disaggregates the gender dimension, and includes resource mapping; climate calendars; historical calendars; cropping calendars; organization mapping; transect walks; key informant interviews; farmer interviews; and pairwise ranking matrix. The tool collects qualitative and quantitative data from various stakeholders (farmers, local leaders, researchers, local-level agricultural experts, private sector actors, donor organizations, and policy implementers), allowing expansive analysis, triangulation and validation. Application of the CSA-RA in Tanzania and Uganda reveals heterogeneity across the sites in terms of vulnerability, constraints and CSA priorities among different social groups (gender) and agro-ecological zones. Thus, the CSA-RA allows stakeholders to simultaneously take into account biophysical and socio-economic aspects to target and implement CSA. Highlights: CSA-RA: tool to prioritize context specific climate smart agriculture technologies Novel mixed method approach employing participatory, qualitative, and quantitative tools Innovative combination of gender-disaggregated methods and climate analysis Bottom-up approach, incorporating multiple scales and actors Rapid and comprehensive