Stepwise Climate Smart Investment Pathway

Accessible best agricultural practices for everyone

The Stepwise Climate Smart Investment Pathway (Stepwise) is an approach that breaks down the recommended best practices that many farmers cannot afford to implement into smaller, more affordable packages that can be implemented in phases. Stepwise considers specific agro-ecological variables and farmer needs and aspirations to guide incremental investment by the farmer in specific sets of, and timing of practices. This incremental investment is expected to subsequently increase coffee yields in a stepwise manner.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

5•4

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 5/9; level of use 4/9

Positive or neutral impact

Adults 18 and over: Positive medium
The poor: Positive low
Under 18: No impact
Women: Positive medium

Positive or neutral impact

Climate adaptability: It adapts really well
Adaptability for farmers: It helps somewhat
Biodiversity: It doesn't hurt them
Carbon footprint: It doesn't reduce emissions at all
Environment: It doesn't make a difference
Soil quality: It doesn't harm the soil's health and fertility
Water usage: It uses the same amount of water

Problem

High Costs: For instance, a farmer might be recommended to use a specific type of fertilizer or irrigation system that is beyond their financial means. This makes it difficult for them to improve their farming practices and increase their yield.
Agro-ecological Variables: A farmer in a region with heavy rainfall might struggle to implement a farming practice that is designed for areas with less rainfall. This mismatch between the practice and the agro-ecological conditions can lead to poor crop performance.
Farmer Needs and Aspirations: A farmer might aspire to grow a new type of crop but lacks the knowledge or resources to do so. Without guidance tailored to their specific needs and aspirations, they might make investments that do not yield the desired results.
Low Yields: A coffee farmer, for example, might be struggling with low yields due to pests or diseases. Without the right knowledge or resources, they might not know how to effectively address these issues to improve their yield.
Climate Change: A smallholder farmer in a region affected by climate change might experience unpredictable rainfall patterns. Without the resources and knowledge to implement Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, they might struggle to maintain their crop yield in the face of these changes. For instance, they might not know how to implement water conservation practices to cope with periods of drought.

Solution

Affordable Packages: For instance, instead of a farmer having to invest in a costly irrigation system all at once, the Stepwise approach might suggest starting with a smaller, more affordable drip irrigation system. As the farmer’s income increases, they can gradually upgrade their system.
Tailored Guidance: If a farmer is in a region with heavy rainfall, the Stepwise approach might guide them to invest in practices that are designed for such conditions, like certain types of crops or drainage systems. This reduces the risk of implementing a practice that won’t work well in their specific conditions.
Incremental Investments: A coffee farmer might be guided to first invest in disease-resistant coffee varieties and then, as their income increases, to invest in other practices like shade trees or organic fertilizers. This step-by-step investment can lead to a gradual increase in their coffee yields.
Climate Smart Agriculture: A farmer in a region affected by climate change might be guided to start by investing in drought-resistant crop varieties. As they are able to make further investments, they might be guided to implement water conservation practices or to diversify their crops to increase their resilience to climate change.
Farmer Empowerment: A farmer who aspires to grow a new type of crop might be guided on how to start small, perhaps by intercropping the new crop with their existing crops. As they learn and their new crop starts to generate income, they might be guided to gradually expand their cultivation of the new crop.

Key points to design your project

The Stepwise approach empowers farmers, including women, to make informed decisions, promoting gender equality. It supports Climate Smart Agriculture, aiding climate resilience. It contributes to SDGs 2, 5, 13, and 15, aligning with government project priorities.

To integrate the Stepwise Climate Smart Investment Pathway approach in a project, follow this steps:

Understand the Approach: Familiarize yourself with the Stepwise methodology and its benefits.
Create a National Level Investment Pathway: Develop a general investment pathway for the crop in question at the national level.
Develop Site Specific Climate Smart Investment Pathways (CSIPs): Conduct workshops with key stakeholders at the district level to adapt the national pathway to local conditions.
Training of Trainers: Deliver a Training of Trainers to the partner extension officers. This ensures that the people who will be working directly with the farmers understand the Stepwise approach and can effectively communicate it.
Establish Demonstration Plots: Set up demonstration plots with participating farmers. These plots provide a practical example of the Stepwise approach and allow farmers to see its benefits firsthand.
Regular Monitoring and Data Collection: Implement a system for regular monitoring and data collection. This allows you to assess the effectiveness of the approach and make necessary adjustments.

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 10: reduced inequalities

Goal 15: life on land

Identification of Recommended Best Practices: Identify the recommended best practices that are often unaffordable for many farmers to implement.
Breaking Down into Smaller, Affordable Packages: Deconstruct these practices into smaller, more manageable and cost-effective packages.
Phased Implementation Strategy: Design a phased implementation plan to incorporate these smaller packages in stages.
Assessment of Agro-Ecological Variables and Farmer Needs: Consider specific agro-ecological variables and the needs of the farmers.
Guiding Incremental Investment: Guide farmers on incremental investment in specific sets of practices according to their requirements and the timing of implementation.
Informing Smallholder Farmers: Provide information to smallholder farmers regarding the most efficient incremental investments needed to improve coffee yields and enhance their livelihoods.
Increasing Awareness and Knowledge: Increase awareness and knowledge about climate-smart agricultural practices, contributing to the resilience of smallholder farmers.
Informing Public and Private Sectors: Inform both public and private sectors about more effective strategies for targeting extension support to smallholder coffee farmers.