Climate-smart and Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture: Delivering on the New Challenge

The course is set in Myanmar where IIRR, in partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), has established climate-smart villages in four different agro-ecological and socio-cultural settings: Chin Shakta, Delta Ma Sein, Shan Nyaung Shwe, and Dryland Htee Puu. This course is intended for professionals in the government, non-government organizations, and private sector working on agriculture, food security, and nutrition programs. This course uses an innovative “roving workshop” methodology.

Background

Malnutrition and hunger continue to afflict children and adults alike in developing countries affecting their growth, development and productivity. Undernutrition within the critical period of growth, if not address causes serious short- and long-term consequences to child’s development. Access and availability of nutritionally-dense food, which support nutrition, are threatened by environmental changes that are taking place. The agriculture sector continue to suffer from climate change impacts. Thus, the implementation of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) concepts are appropriate in today’s context. CSA concepts facilitate the development of innovations and adaptation measures, taking into consideration local capacities and resources. Moreover, the course will feature practices by local farmers who are already implementing adaptation practices. NSA concepts and approaches ensure that agriculture programs generate food security and nutrition outcomes at the household level. You will also be introduced to the concept of Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs), which raises the awareness of farming communities on CSA’s technological, institutional, and policy options that can increase their resilience and productivity while reducing environmental foot prints.

Objectives 

By the end of this course, participants shall have:

• Gained thorough understanding of CSA and NSA concepts, principles and relevant approaches;

• Recognized the issues and impact of climate change to agricultural systems and rural communities;

• Acquired knowledge of participatory approaches in engaging communities to participate in community-based adaptation process; and

•  Learned local adaptation practices implemented plus CSVs in different agro-ecological zones in Myanmar.

Course Content

Module 1. Understanding Climate Smart Agriculture and Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Concepts
The links between the development process, food insecurity and under nutrition, and the environment will be examined through conceptual frameworks. The role of agricultural systems in meeting the nutritional needs of families and communities will be explored.

Session 1: Trends on Food Security, Nutrition and Climate Change in Myanmar
Session 2: CSA and NSA Concepts

Module 2. Designing Programs and Engaging Communities for CSA/NSA Work
You will have an overview of participatory approaches useful in enhancing and designing food security and nutrition innovations and programs in consideration of climate change challenges. You will visit CSVs to be exposed to different agricultural systems and to interact with farmers/innovators and researchers.

Session 1: Building Social Capital
Session 2: The Climate-Smart Village Approach
Session 3: Methods & Tools in CSV Work

Module 3. Sustaining and Scaling CSA/NSA Programs
Different pathways to strengthen, sustain and scale up innovative CSA/NSA programs will be discussed. You will identify ways to utilize evidences to influence government policies and mainstream within the wider development sector

Session 1: General Concepts on Scaling Up and Scaling Out
Session 2: Pathways to Scaling Up and Scaling Out

Module 4. Action Planning
You will prepare an action plan identifying food security programs/activity taking into account your national or community’s food security context to strengthen people’s resilience in coping with threats to food security.Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are to be integrated in the action plan.

Course Fee

USD1,500.00 per participant (inclusive of board, lodging, airport transfers, and conference materials)

To register, contact  this email +63 46 419 8600 I +63 917 869 6213