Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change by Developing Promising Strategies Using Analogue Locations in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Systematic Approach to Develop Practical Solutions

From 2011 to 2014, the CALESA project was a research-for-development project which coupled integrated climate risk analyses, crop growth simulation modelling and field-based research both on-station and on-the-ground with participatory research with farmers. It comprised research-oriented activities for knowledge and technology creation, and development-oriented activities for information sharing and capacity building. The main purpose of the CALESA project was to develop sound adaptation strategies for future temperature increases associated with greenhouse gas emissions using "analogue locations", both as learning- and technology-testing sites. This was meant to improve the ability of rainfed farmers in the semi-arid tropics of sub-Saharan Africa, in particular Kenya and Zimbabwe, to adapt to progressive climate change through crop, soil and water management innovation, and appropriate crop genotype choices. Another key feature of the CALESA project was the development and implementation of tailor-made capacity-building activities specifically designed to fulfil the needs of local scientists in the field of climate change adaptation and climate-smart agriculture. To achieve its objectives, the CALESA project used a combination of model-based ex ante analyses and iterative field-based research on station and in farmers' fields. This facilitated the evaluation of potential agricultural adaptation strategies for rainfed agriculture in the semi-arid and dry sub-humid tropics. In this line, four important crop production zones (two in Kenya and two in Zimbabwe) were identified. Subsequently, the corresponding 'spatial analogue locations' for each production zone, providing eight study locations in all, were identified. A strong element of participatory research with small-scale farmers ensured that the perceptions of current and future climate risk and their preferred climate change adaptation strategies was effectively taken into account. In addition, this also ensured that the project activities and outputs remained relevant to their needs and expectations. The main outputs of the CALESA project are as it follows. Firstly, the identification and fully characterisation of four important crop growing areas in Kenya and Zimbabwe which comprise cool/dry, cool/wet, warm/dry and warm/wet growing conditions, and their temperature analogue locations. Secondly, through the combined use of long-term daily climate data, crop growth simulation models and participatory surveys with farmers, the identification and quantification of the implications of both current and future climate change production risk at the study locations. Thirdly, through iterative field research both on station and in farmers' fields over more than 2 years, the evaluation of potential crop, soil and water management, and crop genotype adaptation options. This was followed by the formulation of adaptation strategies for the target locations. Finally, through the overall implementation of the project activities, the institutional capacity in understanding climate change impacts and the development of effective adaptation responses in Kenya and Zimbabwe was fostered.