Abstract
In India, Bangladesh and Nepal 70 % of farms are less than 2 ha in size. These subsistence oriented, rain-fed farming systems are highly vulnerable to climate variability. Climate change challenges local food and nutritional security. Adaptation is the key to address these vulnerabilities. Agricultural research and extension systems in the region ignore traditional food systems and culturally accepted food baskets. The EU funded project “Strengthening Adaptive Farming in Bangladesh, India and Nepal (SAF-BIN)”, implemented by Caritas organisations, is building resilience to climate change through strengthening adaptive small scale farming systems in rain-fed areas. In a multi-sectoral collaboration a farmers’ collective-led approach has been implemented with smallholder farmers at the centre. A major tool has been on-farm adaptive research trials in which farmers’ collectives have developed and implemented on-farm trials in ten districts in Bangladesh, India and Nepal with the active involvement of civil society, researchers and government officials. Results are documentation and increased adoption of locally appropriate farming practises achieved through blending traditional and modern practices with awareness on organic, sustainable production. Farmers’ collectives successfully built resilience to climate change, increased yields, improved nutritional security, reduced external dependency, and reduced input costs. SAF-BIN is evolving as a successful model for strengthening adaptive capacities of smallholders. Lessons on integration of a diverse set of stakeholders are transferable and applicable to similar initiatives.
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Notes
- 1.
Public Distribution System in India and Public Food Distribution System in Nepal and Bangladesh.
- 2.
Collection of floating debris (F.D.) (farmers practise); F.D. + fungicide (introduced farmers practise): yield 4.4 t/ha.
- 3.
Dual fungicide application (“Folicur”) (farmers practice): yield 4.39 t/ha.
- 4.
Chemicals + MOP + urea (introduced).
- 5.
Lamit Ark contains chillies, ginger and garlic and acts as pest repellent.
- 6.
Matka Khad contains cowdung, cow urine and jaggery and acts as nutrient supplement.
- 7.
Combination of varieties and cultivation practises tested in on farm trials.
- 8.
Vijay, Gautam
- 9.
Gaura, Dhaulagiri, WK1204.
- 10.
Communally managed seedbanks were established in all villages in Nepal and Bangladesh. In India 80 % of participating smallholders have access to communally or individually safely stored seed.
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Acknowledgements
SAF-BIN is a joint effort of many stakeholders. Without the willingness of all participating smallholders to collaborate none of the project activities could have been implemented so the authors wish to express their deepest gratitude. The SAF-BIN team members of the implementing Caritas Organisations in Bangladesh, India and Nepal were tirelessly working in the field (Village Research Assistants, District Officers) to contributed to the data base on which this publication is built. Research Officers are acknowledged for their direct and indirect contributions to this publication. The associated partners of SAF-BIN (AFRPO, SHIATS, LI-BIRD) contributed by their expertise as advisers for research matters throughout the implementation of SAF-BIN. SACU facilitated the design and implementation of the project and provided necessary inputs.
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Roschinsky, R. et al. (2016). Facilitating Climate Change Adaptation on Smallholder Farms Through Farmers’ Collective Led On-Farm Adaptive Research: The SAF-BIN Project. In: Leal Filho, W., Adamson, K., Dunk, R., Azeiteiro, U., Illingworth, S., Alves, F. (eds) Implementing Climate Change Adaptation in Cities and Communities. Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28591-7_11
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