An introduction to CCAFS resources and tools for the private sector

Science base for Climate-Smart Agriculture in East Africa: An introduction to CCAFS resources and tools

28th August , 2014

Suresh Patel KAM/ KEPSA

ELEKEA LIMITED P.O.Box - 53-00606, Nairobi.

Tel: +254 733 625963 Cell: +254 725 249249

Email: [email protected]

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is a limited liability membership organisation registered in 2003 as the apex body of private sector in Kenya. Mandate of KEPSA is the development through advocacy, projects and partnerships both local and international. KEPSA works around to influence public policy through policy formulation and implementation. KEPSA represents over 100,000 direct and indirect members through BMOs in the private sector.

Private sector in Kenya recently is quite active in the issues pertaining to climate change impacts and management. Participated in the debate for new sets of processes for development of national climate change policy and legislation - which will be soon approved by the parliament of Kenya. This engagement gave private sector significant insight about the impact and seriousness of onset of climate change. CCAFS came in close contact with private sector.

Climate Change – Private sector Noticeable understanding that private sector will need to look into its future resilience to the impacts of climate change with respect to its performance, in addition to work on to reduce GHG foot prints. Crucial role to play in climate-smart agriculture to ensure food security while engaging in food production, processing and marketing embracing green economy. Compelled to look into the development and application of new process technologies, including eco-efficient product development and climate responsible investments. The private sector has to make right decisions on the sustainability.

Climate Change – Private sector In all practicality, private sector operates on evidence based decision making. This ability is based on information, knowledge and experience. For managing the climate change, private sector will look to science based tools to make appropriate decisions – science that is focused on evidence and reliability.

In agriculture, these decisions will be geared towards all three emphases of Climate Smart Agriculture – resilience, mitigation of GHG and food security with improved productivity.

Climate Change – Private sector In essence, private sector will need well developed science based knowledge which may offer practical tools to work on previously mentioned three emphases.

It is important to note that agriculture supplies numerous raw materials to industries. It is also market for inputs and services offered by private sector – in all sectors of agriculture of food, feed and fibre.

Hence any failure of the agriculture sector has direct impact on private sector’s growth.

This dictates the need for tools to ensure sustained growth in agriculture business.

Opportunities to use tools in Kenya Remote sensing-based agriculture tools for Agricultural crops

Such tool would aim to evaluate high resolution satellite imagery as a way for identifying time based crop variability. This will help make decision on targeted soil sampling, targeted agronomy among other variables which may finally help reduce the crop loss.

Pasture Biomass Sensors Active plant biomass sensors are useful in determining the green fraction of pastures. These plants sensors can be used to map pasture production across field to enable quantification allowing better management decisions. With modification, this tool can be effectively used in tea plantation to determine crop area for harvesting by estimating growth of fresh shoots.

Opportunities to use tools in Kenya Soil Carbon Inventories tool

This can provide a map of an inventory of above and below-ground carbon stocks. A useful management and decision making tool for consider carbon emissions and sinks. Soil carbon- in terms of soil health and production benefits- is widely recognised in agricultural systems.

Some of the Flower farms in Kenya are using sensor to control micro-climate in greenhouses to promote the growth of roses with most optimised use of water. A vegetable and fruits processing company that cans the white beans has developed drought tolerant variety seeds of white beans and is giving to farmers. This was developed in partnership with research institution in Kenya through biotechnology modelling. The company is also developing drought tolerant tomato variety.

Opportunities to use tools in Kenya

Although there are some biomass gasification plants in Kenya in industrial sector, such technologies can be replicated for agriculture sector to provide heat and power. Science based tools can predict the availability and quantum of biomass as fuel for such plants. Wastewater recycling for coffee processing plant has significant opportunity to reuse the treated water both for processes and irrigation for same farms. Appropriate tools can manage the plant remotely to predict the quality of treated water for reuse.

Opportunities to use tools in Kenya Privates sector is keen to obtain tools and technologies for following areas of the agriculture and for the value addition for the agriculture produce. • Sustainable Agriculture • Water conservation and harvesting • Agroforestry • Climate compliant New crops • Soil and nutrient management • Pest and disease control.

Opportunities to use tools in Kenya

• Harvesting, processing and supply chains • Resource Efficiency Management- Input and waste management • Improved access to information and technology transfer • Awareness creation – product acceptability • Financial Management tools • Genetic resources management

East Africa is a leading African Agricultural Economy. It needs all necessary help – particularly private sector - to combat climate change for not reversing the gains acquired so far and to meet future national development targets.

Thanks you all !