Climate-Smart Agriculture: A Pathway to Food Security and Climate Resilience

The CBEN Monthly call centered on biochar initiatives and sustainable agricultural practices. It is evident that climate change is continuing to threaten global food security. However, during the Monthly Call, new CBEN staff, Rita Ellen, Operations and Strategy Coordinator, highlighted in her research presentation that smallholder farmers in Western Kenya are increasingly adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to protect their livelihoods and promote environmental sustainability. CSA encompasses a variety of innovative farming practices designed to boost agricultural productivity, enhance resilience to climate shocks, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Key practices include composting to enrich soil fertility, agroforestry to integrate trees into farmland, cover cropping to prevent soil degradation, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to minimize chemical pesticide use, conservation tillage to preserve soil health, and efficient water management to optimize irrigation and drainage.

Despite these clear benefits, the adoption of CSA varies, with composting and agroforestry being more widely embraced, while IPM remains less common. Several challenges hinder adoption, including economic constraints, where farmers struggle with the cost of seeds, labor, and equipment, and gender disparities, which limit women’s involvement in decision-making on land use. Additionally, limited access to training and knowledge, poor infrastructure, and cultural resistance slow the transition to sustainable farming practices. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for maximizing CSA’s potential to improve food security and climate resilience.

By enhancing soil fertility, increasing productivity, and diversifying income sources, CSA directly contributes to food security while simultaneously enabling farmers to adapt to climate variability. Reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, improving soil health, and enhancing water retention make agricultural systems more resilient to extreme weather conditions like droughts. Organizations such as the Circular Bio-nutrient Economy Network (CBEN) are at the forefront of promoting CSA by integrating sustainable waste recycling into nutrient management, ensuring that food production systems nourish both people and the planet.

To create a sustainable and food-secure future, investments in training, infrastructure, and policy support are necessary to accelerate CSA adoption. As climate change continues to reshape agriculture, CSA provides a pathway to resilience, empowering farmers with the tools they need to thrive while protecting the environment. These and other insights on sustainable agriculture and climate resilience through biochar application were key focal points in the first half of 2025, with two major events scheduled for April and June.

By Erick Opiyo Abala

Head of Communications-CBEN