In May 2015, a group of CSA experts met in South Africa to deliberate on the development of a Climate Smart agriculture practical guide. Speared by NEPAD, the guide is divided into four segments. This guide will consist of a set of tools, which will help users to determine which farming techniques, when practiced individually or in combinations, leads to improved adaptation and resilience of the farming systems to the effects of climate change.

The intended purpose of the guide is to help users to facilitate the adaptation and adoption of climate smart agriculture practices and technologies by farmers based on the farmers’ own agro-ecosystems. It is intended that this tool will describe the farming techniques at the different stages of the farming cycle in mixed crop-livestock systems. Intended users are Decision makers, and Government and NGO extension officers.

During the meeting discussions focused on the purpose and scope of the practical Guide. The different segments led by key organizations included Segment 1: Community profiling of climatic risks to agriculture led by the African Conservation Tillage Network, Segment 2 on Climate smart farming technologies and practices on led by CIMMY, Segment 3 on Participatory selection of climate smart farming technologies and practices led by CGIAR and Segment 4 on Methodologies and approaches for CSA extension led by FAO.

A roadmap was developed that would see the operationalization of the Guide, as well as the monitoring and tracking of Climate Smart Agriculture uptake.

More information on this guide can be got at www.nepad.org