Building resilience: How conservation agriculture helps rural smallholder farmers adapt to climate change

• Grant number: 23/12346-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Agreement: New Frontiers in Research Fund
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Fonseca de Almeida
• Grantee: Gustavo Fonseca de Almeida
• Principal researcher abroad: Kelly McShane
• Institution abroad: Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências da Natureza (CCN). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Lagoa do Sino. Buri , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fábio Grigoletto ; Marcelo Beltrão Molento ; Maria Carla Corrochano
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/03352-2 - Diagnostic of the production and modes of life of women farmers at Vale do Ribeira from different cultural backgrounds and ages, BP.TT; 24/16933-0 - Diagnostic of the production and modes of life of women farmers at Vale do Ribeira from different cultural backgrounds and ages, BP.TT; 24/15695-9 - The role of cooperatives, associations, and networks in the organization of production and in the guarantee of the food security of woman farmers at Vale do Ribeira - Brazil, BP.TT; 24/13076-0 - Diagnostic of conservation agriculture practices in vgetable farming systems, BP.TT; 24/13128-0 - Diagnostic of conservation practices in animal production, BP.TT

Abstract

Climate change remains a global crisis, causing high temperatures, droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events that jeopardize food production and livelihoods. The most vulnerable are millions of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), facing harsh realities such as food insecurity, poor living standards, forced displacement, and even armed conflict. Sadly, this situation is expected to worsen with time.Our project will explore the potential of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in helping rural smallholder farmers adapt to climate change and reduce the risks to agricultural production and food security. CA offers numerous benefits, such as reduced soil degradation, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and better use of farmers' time and labour. However, most research on this topic has focused on advanced economies, neglecting the realities of LMICs with limited agricultural resources. There are notable gaps in our knowledge of how rural smallholder farmers in LMICs are using CA, what has worked and failed, and the resources required to extend its reach to vulnerable farming communities. Our project is a collaborative effort between academic and non-academic partners from the UK, Brazil, and Nigeria seeking to address four key research objectives (ROs):RO1: To examine how rural smallholder farmers in Nigeria and Brazil are using CA, as well as their views on its efficacy and limitations in mitigating climate-related issues.RO2: To compare data from Nigeria and Brazil (a more advanced agricultural context) to identify scalable best practices for maximizing the benefits of CA.RO3: To gather rural smallholder farmers' views on the key social and economic resources required to enhance climate change resilience using CA.RO4: To co-produce a concrete set of evidence-based policy actions that address climate change in LMICs and enhance the socio-economic standing of rural smallholder farmers.Our work plan consists of three phases. Phase 1 will address RO1-RO3 via in-depth interviews and focus groups with rural smallholder farmers of various ages and genders in Nigeria and Brazil. Phases 2 and 3 will address RO4 via multi-stakeholder workshops, attended by smallholder farmers and a carefully selected advisory group of government officials, policymakers, and business leaders. Our project will achieve outcomes that align with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, and climate action. (AU)