Climate-Smart Agriculture
Erratic weather, pests, natural disasters, livestock diseases, poor soil health — the effects of climate change threaten food security and agricultural livelihoods around the world. In this context, smallholder farmers and agricultural market actors in emerging markets are often the most at risk. These people and businesses who nourish our world can and must be at the forefront of climate solutions.
Our Approach
Climate change requires customized solutions for each geography and value chain. That’s why we align our work with national-level climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and focus on locally owned solutions that are rooted in agronomic know-how, data, and public and private sector partnerships. We engage host-country governments, the private sector, research institutions, and farmers to bring forward innovative practices, products, services, and policies to fuel climate-smart solutions in crop, dairy, and livestock industries. In turn, farmers and other agricultural market actors are better equipped to seize opportunities that lead to more resilient, inclusive, and competitive market systems.
Our farmer-to-fork approach leverages industry leading expertise of our affiliate Land O’Lakes, Inc., a 100-year-old farmer-owned cooperative. Land O’Lakes, Inc., through Truterra and the Winfield United global portfolio, brings together the best in agricultural technology and on-farm business management to drive sustainability across the food system. With expertise in crops, dairy, and livestock, this agribusiness utilizes precision agriculture to improve conservation practices, safeguard the planet, and support farmers’ livelihoods.
AN END-TO-END VIEW.
Our affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s businesses give us a unique view of sustainable solutions. Pair this with our 40 years of agricultural development in nearly 80 countries and we’re uniquely qualified to unlock the potential of agriculture.
Our Areas of Focus
» Harnessing data to understand climate risk and promote climate mitigation
We leverage a variety of climate change assessment tools — including quantitative analysis, participatory research, and project data to assess short-term climate variability and longer-term climate impacts. By understanding the drivers of climate risk, we turn data into action to promote climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience.
» Resilience to climatic shocks and stressors
Climate variability acutely impacts the most vulnerable. We prioritize helping smallholders understand how climate change affects their farming systems and working together to develop locally appropriate technologies and practices. We promote diversified production and income streams, featuring regenerative practices and nutrient-dense crops and livestock, to ensure agricultural households’ resilience – from income to food security.
» Market systems and enabling environment
We engage directly with farmers, private sector market actors, host-country governments, and local research institutions to deliver products, services, policies, and incentives that promote climate-smart agriculture. By spurring catalytic access to finance and investment, improving policy, and advancing opportunities for farmers and businesses, we help our partners build effective enabling environments for climate-smart agriculture.
» Industry leading insights
We leverage industry leading insights through our affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc. to tailor big data capabilities, environmental stewardship, and an integrated systems approach to farming that maximizes agricultural efficiency and sustainability every step of the way.
» Inclusive Approaches
We design and apply climate-smart agriculture strategies that address the distinct realities of women, youth, and vulnerable populations so that their needs and priorities are recognized and adequately addressed. In doing so, we support equitable access to the benefits of climate-smart agricultural practices.
Case Examples
Feed the Future Mozambique Resilient Agricultural Markets Activity – Beira Corridor (RAMA-BC) 2016-2022
RAMA-BC supported Mozambican farmers to build climate resilience into their crop and livestock systems through skill-building in regenerative agriculture, pest-management, microfinance, and household nutrition. We also engaged with private sector actors to ensure sustainable access by smallholder farmers to nutritious, climate-adapted staple crops, improved seed varieties, climate-smart technologies and other inputs. Off the farm, we developed partnerships with public and academic institutions to foster locally led research and advocacy of climate-smart agriculture practices.
Feed the Future Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Fall Armyworm Activity; 2019-2024
We support the resilience of smallholder maize growers by partnering with leading international and local research institutions in DRC, input suppliers, and our private sector affiliate Villa Crop Protection to promote locally appropriate and climatesmart integrated pest management solutions to fall armyworm infestation. We also address maize productivity and post-harvest loss through access to adapted seed, efficient fertilizer use, and improved post-harvest handling and storage techniques.
Kenya Nourishing Prosperity Alliance (KNPA); 2020-2023
Led by Venture37 and fully funded by private sector alliance members (Corteva Agriscience, Forage Genetics International, and the International Livestock Research Institute) KNPA helps advance an inclusive commercial market for climate-smart, nutrient dense forage for dairy cattle in Kenya, while increasing the availability of nutritious dairy products. By improving animal nutrition, we boost dairy cows’ productivity and in turn reduce methane emissions per liter of milk. Announced as an AIM4C innovation sprint at COP27, KNPA was selected as a leading solution for addressing climate change and global hunger.