China-IFAD SSTC Facility hosts workshop showcasing collaboration on climate-smart solutions

Smallholder farmers are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as erratic rainfall, drought, and increased pests and diseases. Climate-smart agriculture and enhanced resilience are crucial for addressing these challenges, ensuring food security, and achieving sustainable development. 

The China-IFAD SSTC Facility, established in 2018, spearheads efforts to pilot and scale up innovative solutions for rural development. It fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration among IFAD member states by leveraging expertise from China and the Global South.

This event presented successful climate-adaptive solutions funded by the China-IFAD SSTC Facility and promoted knowledge exchange on agricultural climate adaptation. 

In her opening remarks, Sara Mbago-Bhunu, IFAD Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Division, said that among 17 SSTC projects in 38 countries funded by the Facility, 10 included elements to address climate change and provide effective solutions to governments, institutions, smallholders, and local private sectors. From environmental challenges to financial challenges, IFAD is a pioneer in innovative climate solutions, leveraging experiences from China and the Global South.

Mei Hongyong indicated that the theme of this event aligns with China's green agricultural development strategy. He spoke on behalf of the Chinese government and said that China has been actively mobilizing climate finance, promoting sustainable agricultural policies, methods, and innovations. He further stated that China is willing to, within the framework of the Global Development Initiative and leveraging the China-IFAD SSTC Facility, continue to deepen cooperation with all parties in resources, knowledge, and technology. 

Isaac O. Kibwage, Professor and Vice-Chancellor, Egerton University, and Yan Zhu, Professor and Vice-President, Nanjing Agricultural University, also delivered speeches, expressing their commitment to continuing the cooperation in promoting sustainable agricultural development in Africa and exploring more climate-smart solutions.

Leonard Bor, County Executive Committee Member for the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives in Kenya, explained how the SSTC project in Kenya mobilized partnerships to promote horticultural technology transfer, improve agricultural extension services, and enhance Kenya's tomato value chain with support from Nanjing Agricultural University and Egerton University.

Nie Fengying, also professor at Nanjing Agricultural University, demonstrated how China's sustainable, low-carbon mulberry-dyke fish pond integrated ecological agriculture system simultaneously produces fish and silk, promotes local aquaculture, eco-tourism, and cultural preservation, and is being replicated in Vietnam.

In the closing session, Wang Wei, Director of the IFAD SSTC Facility, said, “We have seen the devastating effect of the recent floods in Kenya on local livelihoods. This reminds us that climate risks are closely related to each of us, related to our livelihood and future.”

She reiterated the importance of SSTC as an effective tool to advance peer learning and combat long term climate issues, “Developing and implementing experiences and solutions from and with the Global South is crucial for addressing climate challenges and serves as a solid foundation for our success.”

Media contact: 

Han Lei | Country Programme Analyst, IFAD China and MCO l.han@ifad.org

Shen Jiaying | Communications Consultant, IFAD China and MCO: j.shen@ifad.org 

Yamini Lohia | Regional Communications Officer, Asia-Pacific, IFAD: y.lohia@ifad.org

Linda Odhiambo | Communications Analyst, East And Southern Africa, IFAD:  l.odhiambo@ifad.org

 IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency. Based in Rome – the United Nations food and agriculture hub – IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided more than US$24 billion in grants and low-interest loans to fund projects in developing countries.  

A wide range of photographs of IFAD’s work in rural communities are available for download from its Image Bank.