There is limited documentation of soil and water management technologies that enhance adaptation to climate change in drylands of Kenya. Rainfall patterns were analyzed in the semi-arid Machakos and Makueni counties of eastern Kenya using historical data. A total of forty-three smallholder farmers implementing soil water management practices were sampled, and an estimate of the seasonal water budget for current crop and livestock production systems computed.

The University of Aberdeen and CCAFS are developing a simple tool for practitioners to quickly identify and compare mitigation options for agriculture. The CCAFS-MOT tool takes account of current farming practices and growing conditions to suggest a wide range of

mitigation options. The Excel-based tool is free and downloadable from the CCAFS website.

In March 2015, Science-Metrix was contracted by CGIAR to evaluate the presence of CGIAR publications in the IPCC assessment reports (ARs). The study was carried through the analysis of the IPCC ARs' references.

Background: Smallholders have begun to take advantage of a growing pool of investment in climate change mitigation. Meanwhile, early movers in this area are working to develop innovative models that will allow projects to be nancially sustainable and scalable while bene ting local actors. This study focuses on two of these projects in East Africa, managed by Vi Agroforestry in Kenya and ECOTRUST in Uganda. They engaged in a participatory action research process to identify ways that local actors could take on expanded roles within the projects.

Key Messages

• A governance approach, combining public policy and private initiatives was effective in slowing down deforestation, but

was unable to support a transition to more sustainable production systems.

• New technical intensification models must be identified for low-productivity systems in degraded lands, adapted to the

biophysical and sociotechnical conditions of the Amazonian landscapes.

• Multiple constraints inhibit progress toward sustainable intensification of cattle ranching, and reversing them requires that

The total number of livestock worldwide

is estimated at 17 billion. Around two thirds

- 5 billion hectares - of the world’s

total agricultural area is used to feed these

animals, including 3.4 billion hectares of

grazing land. Much of this land has been

severely degraded by overgrazing and

unsustainable production.

The ‘WISE-UP to climate’ project aims to demonstrate the value of natural infrastructure as a ‘nature-based solution’ for climate change adaptation and sustainable development. Within the Tana River Basin, both natural and built infrastructure provide livelihood benefits for people. Understanding the interrelationships between the two types of infrastructure is a prerequisite for sustainable water resources development and management. This is particularly true as pressures on water resources intensify and the impacts of climate change increase.

Climate change is a major development challenge to Ethiopia. Climate change is expected to

adversely affect all economic sectors, eco-regions, and social groups. Agriculture is one of the

most vulnerable sectors as it is highly dependent on rainfall. This report synthesises four case

studies focusing on the impacts, vulnerabilities and local adaptation practices in Ethiopia‘s

agricultural sector, including policy and institutional responses. The case studies were carried

An International Conference was held in Rome, Italy 27-29 April 2015 to launch the IFAD and EU supported Project ‘Linking agrobiodiversity value chains, climate adaptation and nutrition: Empowering the poor to manage risk’. The event brought together people with different expertise to discuss the role of agricultural biodiversity in fostering more resilient livelihoods and solicit their guidance to refine the methodological framework for the Project.

This paper synthesizes knowledge within CGIAR and its partners on agricultural practices and technologies to enhance food security, resilience and productivity in a sustainable manner. A number of agricultural practices and technologies which contribute to these objectives were identified and assessed to generate four key lessons.

Rhamphicarpa fistulosa is a facultative hemi-parasitic plant of the Orobanchaceae family, adapted to wet soils. Apart from tropical Australia, it is only found in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is considered a minor weed in cereal crops such as rice. Due to this status, the species has received only sporadic attention. Recent field observations and encounters with rice farmers in several African countries showed that R. fistulosa is, however, a more serious and increasing production constraint than previously thought.

The agricultural development project ACCESO

reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and

led to net carbon sequestration due to perennial

crop expansion.

? Increased fertilizer use was a moderate source

of emissions that was more than offset by

reduced emissions from other ACCESOsupported

practices, including improvements in

soil, water, and fertilizer management, and in

feed and grassland use by dairy cows.

? Compared to conventional practices, ACCESOsupported

activities reduced emission intensity