Accelerating Climate Adaptation for Food Sovereignty in Senegal
Science-Policy Dialogue Drives Sustainable Agriculture Solutions
Senegal’s agricultural sector, a lifeline for millions, is under mounting pressure from severe droughts, advancing coastal erosion, and growing food insecurity. In many rural areas, families rely almost entirely on farming and fishing to survive, making these challenges both personal and urgent.
On 27-28 November 2024, in the coastal town of Saly, more than 40 experts, policymakers, and community leaders came together for a landmark workshop to tackle these issues and shape practical solutions for climate-resilient agriculture in Senegal.
The two-day event, organized jointly by ICRISAT and Senegal's National Science-Policy Dialogue Platform (CCASA) under the aegis of CGIAR initiative ClimBeR, addressed the need to adapt the country's agricultural systems to withstand an increasingly unpredictable climate.
“Climate change is not a distant threat—it is here, and it is reshaping how we farm, fish, and feed our families. It has a significant impact on women, particularly in relation to small ruminants in the dairy sector. Finding sufficient fodder for the animals is becoming increasingly difficult due to climate disruptions. The grazing cycle has shifted, forcing us to travel farther to feed the livestock,” said Ms Fatimata Sall Seme, a livestock farmer.
Turning Science-Policy Dialogue into Action
The workshop went beyond mere discussion, focusing on actionable steps to bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers and effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
“Through research, we have generated a lot of evidence. The challenge arises in popularizing and scaling up the findings. In Senegal, ANCAR , CCASA and partners play a key role in this process. As researchers, we collaborate closely with these organizations to ensure that innovations based on scientific evidence are effectively communicated and implemented on the ground," said Dr Ouedraogo Issa, ClimBeR Project Lead, Senior Scientist and Country Representative of CIAT in Senegal.
Participants from 33 institutions focused their discussions on the implementation of policies related to:
- Promoting climate-resilient agriculture and soil conservation practices
- Expanding community-based seed production for better access to climate-tolerant crops
- Advancing agricultural mechanization suited to local conditions
- Strengthening the role of livestock in building resilient food systems
Dr Folorunso Akinseye, Senior Scientist at ICRISAT and Coordinator of the ClimBeR project, explained that the workshop was not about developing a new agricultural policy for Senegal. Instead, it focused on finding ways to effectively implement existing policies to reduce the risks faced by small-scale farmers in the livestock, crop production, and fishing sectors.
“This Science-Policy Dialogue is a call to action for everyone—farmers, researchers, and community leaders—to build a food system that works for all, now and for future generations,” emphasized Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim of ICRISAT.
The workshop was organized by ICRISAT as part of ClimBeR, a global project by One CGIAR dedicated to transforming agricultural and water systems in response to climate change. In Senegal, ClimBeR collaborates with local institutions such as the National Agency for Agricultural and Rural Advisory (ANCAR) and platforms like CCASA to implement solutions that strengthen food security and environmental sustainability.
Learn more about the workshop in the following video:
This work aligns with SDGs 11, 13 & 17.
Agathe Diama
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