Senegal presents its CSAIP at COP29: A step towards resilient agriculture

The Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plan (CSAIP) of Senegal represents an ambitious initiative to address the challenges of climate change. In the context of an agricultural sector highly vulnerable to climatic hazards such as droughts, floods, and soil degradation, the CSAIP seeks to transform agriculture into a benchmark of resilience and sustainability, setting the standard for adaptive and sustainable practices. According to Issa Ouedraogo, Ph.D. – Country Representative of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Senegal – “The Alliance, through the  Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, played a crucial role in developing the CSAIP. This plan is part of Senegal’s broader agricultural investment plan, and we are honored to contribute to this fundamental initiative.”

The CSAIP is distinguished by a participatory approach, involving national partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Sovereignty, the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition, the Ministry of Finance, and others. Unlike other countries, Senegal detailed the budget for each concept note, enabling the government to actively commit to the plan’s implementation: “The Ministry of Finance’s involvement from the outset reflects Senegal’s determination to translate its promises into concrete actions,” added Ouedraogo.

By aligning the CSAIP with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Development Strategy (NDS), Senegal reaffirms its commitment to international climate change efforts while addressing national priorities. The integration of climate-smart agricultural practices aims to enhance productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen farmers’ resilience.