NORGLOBAL2-Norge - global partner

The slow progress towards food security in SSA is attributed to soil quality deterioration and climate change with increasingly erratic rainfall. In this project, we propose innovative and sustainable climate-smart methods to improve food security, counteract soil degradation and improve livelihoods through increased yields and new business developments. The project focuses on conservation agriculture (CA), including reduced soil tillage, permanent soil cover and crop rotation (maize – pigeon pea), in combination with the application of pigeon pea-derived biochar to increase soil carbon content and soil fertility. Supplementary data collections are being conducted to follow up on randomized control trials (WP2a) to identify barriers to adoption as well as adoption of climate smart practices on the return to households. In 2021, a baseline survey was conducted with 400 smallholder farms in both regions. Among the 400 smallholders, 200 were trained in CA + Biochar (last farmers trained at the end of the 2023 March-April-May, viz. MAM-season), 100 trained in CA (all farmer trainings completed prior to the 2023 MAM-season) and 100 (practicing conventional farming and not trained) were randomly selected to participate in the household survey prior to training. We also conduct on-farm controlled trials (WP1) to assess the effect of CA alone or in combination with biochar (CA+Biochar) on soil fertility and yields (maize and pigeon pea) in different regions in Uganda. Biochar, partly produced from pigeon pea or maize cobs, was applied prior to the MAM-2022, SON (i.e., September-October-November)-2022, MAM-2023 and SON-2023 seasons. It is however challenging to reach the targeted level of 4 tons per ha, since many farmers are not following instructions as provided in the protocol. An important part of the project includes knowledge transfer and global education (WP3). Scientific exchange and collaboration on training of students and farmers as well as research activities and data interpretation are important components in the project. The ClimSmart project facilitates research infrastructure for an ongoing NORAD-funded project that provides funds for MSc and PhD scholarships. REDS is the external consultant in both projects and is responsible for training farmers as well as following up the on-farm trials (land prep, planting, weed management and harvest). Currently three PhD students (one funded by the ClimSmart project, two by the NORHEDII-project) are working on research topics associated with WP1. In addition, one post doc (funded by the ClimSmart project) is working full time on WP2. Project results will be included in academic curricula and in training of local extension workers.

Food production in rain-fed agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasingly challenging, due to a growing population, unsustainable methods, deteriorating soil quality and a changing climate. Innovative methods, including conservation agriculture (CA) and use of biochar (pyrolyzed crop residues for carbon storage and soil fertility improvement), have been proposed, but adoption is lagging behind. This is partly due to the lack of knowledge on returns of investment at the household level and barriers for adoption of sustainable intensification technologies. In this project we propose interdisciplinary research, linking sustainable agriculture with socio-economic and development studies, to provide scientific underpinning of the potential of large-scale implementation of climate-smart agriculture (CSA). Innovative simple, cheap and sustainable biochar technology, based on pigeon pea biomass, will be investigated, and new biochar formulations (nutrient enrichment) tested. These novel low-tech concepts have been applied successfully in Southern Africa, improving yields through increased climate resilience, while restoring the natural soil carbon sink function. The project provides a basis for extension to the widely different soils and climate conditions in Uganda. The project will contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals, including improved food security via climate change adaptation (improved soil fertility, water harvesting, nutrient retention), while contributing to climate change mitigation (increased soil carbon, lower GHG emissions). Besides biomass for biochar production, pigeon pea also improves diets and provides a marketable commodity. The potential for local pigeon pea / biochar businesses and voluntary carbon credits will be explored. Project results will be included in academic curricula and in ongoing training organised by extension providers and thus contribute to global education.