GCA Partners with the African Development Bank to Strengthen Climate Resilience in South Sudan’s Agricultural Sector
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otterdam, Netherlands, 18 July 2024 – The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) announced today a partnership with the African Development Bank on the South Sudan Climate Resilient Food Security and Agricultural Transformation Project (CRAFT). This landmark initiative aims to bolster agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and foster economic resilience in South Sudan through innovative climate adaptation strategies.
Funded mainly by the African Development Bank, the project is a five-year initiative dedicated to transforming South Sudan’s agricultural sector. The project addresses the critical impacts of climate change that have severely hindered agricultural production and livelihoods in the region.
The project is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Enhance Climate-Adaptive Production Systems: Introduce climate-smart technologies, improve seed varieties, expand irrigation, and upgrade market infrastructure.
- Strengthen Value Chains: Empower women and youth-led businesses, facilitate access to inputs and finance, and engage the private sector in agricultural initiatives.
- Implement Digital Solutions: Develop and deploy digital agricultural and climate advisory services to improve technical and entrepreneurial skills.
GCA’s involvement in the project includes:
- Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment: Conduct detailed analyses to produce comprehensive maps and data that inform climate adaptation interventions.
- Market Analysis for Climate-Resilient Seeds: Identify barriers and opportunities for the adoption and distribution of climate-resilient seeds and recommend strategies for improved digitalization.
- Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS): Co-design and launch digital advisory platforms to scale up climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies.
Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of GCA, highlighted the significance of this collaboration stating “Our partnership with the African Development Bank under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) is a pivotal step in transforming South Sudan’s agricultural landscape. By engaging with the Technology for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and the CGIAR system to introduce climate-smart technologies and supporting resilient agricultural practices, we are not only enhancing food security but also empowering local communities, especially women and youth, to build a sustainable and prosperous future despite the challenges posed by climate change.”
The project will benefit smallholder farmers, women, and youth by fostering equitable development and enhancing resilience in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. This collaboration underscores GCA’s dedication to promoting global adaptation solutions and ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the support they need.
Notes to Editors
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent.
Founded in 2018, GCA embodies innovation in its approach to climate adaptation as well as in its physical presence. It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Beijing, China. The Center will open a new office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025.
