African farming systems are highly heterogeneous in terms of agro-ecological, socio-economical and cultural environments and opportunities for CA necessarily require local adaptation. Simulation models and modelling frameworks may be used to assist our ability to better understand and target innovative technologies such as CA within complex farming systems. For this purpose, a consortium comprising 10 highly experienced, complementary European, African and International partners has been assembled including ACT to implement this project.

The overall project goal is to assess and learn jointly from past and on-going CA experiences under which conditions and to what extent does CA strengthen the socio-economic position of landholders in Africa. This will enable the identification of knowledge gaps for future research, development and promotion of CA.

The project aims at the following specific objectives:

1. An up-to-date knowledge and better comprehension of the impacts of CA practices in Africa
2. The testing and validation of bio-physical, socio-economic and conceptual models of innovation systems for analyzing the impact and adoption of CA in Africa;
3. The identification of pathways to make models readily applicable for decision-makers in different African regions and under different conditions;
4. A strengthened network of the principal stakeholders and trained African researchers to promote CA research and development in Africa

This project facilitates the identification of pathways to make models readily applicable for decision-makers in different African regions and under different conditions. It allows setting the agenda for future research, development and promotion of CA in Africa. Dissemination, networking and training will make the project outcomes highly accessible to the principal stakeholders (researchers, public and private extension services, farmer organisations, national and regional policymakers, private sector).

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