Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) as a pathway to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems in Makueni County Kenya

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, through the AICCRA project, partnered with the Kimatwa Women Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) in Makindu, Makueni County, to promote Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) as a strategic pathway toward resilient, inclusive, and gender-equitable food systems. This initiative responds to the intensifying climate challenges that jeopardize the food security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women. Building on foundational CSA and climate information services training conducted in 2023, a follow-up workshop in 2025 engaged 120 farmers using participatory approaches to identify systemic constraints and opportunities across farms, households, markets, and SACCO operations. The workshop aimed to assess the scaling readiness of CSA innovations and deepen their adoption. Findings underscored that resilience is not solely technological—it is also social, rooted in equitable household decision-making, shared responsibilities, and collective action. The engagement reaffirmed the importance of empowering women and strengthening community structures to drive sustainable climate adaptation and agricultural transformation.

Nderi, A., Nzuki, E., Ogutu E., Ewell, H., Waswa, B., Wanyama, R., Bullock, R., Majiwa, H., Gichunge, K.