Dr. Fenet Belay: Pioneering Climate Resilience Strategies for Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia
By Janet Otieno
Looking ahead, several innovations could greatly strengthen Africa’s food systems. Climate adaptation strategies like improved crop varieties, advanced irrigation, and crop diversification can boost productivity while lessening environmental impact. Developing drought-resistant crops and using digital tools, such as mobile apps for weather updates and market access, can equip farmers with vital information. Collaboration between African researchers and agribusiness leaders is essential to bring these innovations to life. Researchers can generate context-specific solutions, while agribusiness leaders can drive adoption through their networks. Public-private partnerships and innovation hubs that connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and farmers can support local solutions. Aligning research with agricultural needs and making innovations accessible can pave the way for resilient, food-secure systems across Africa. Dr Fenet Belay is a Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) scholar, from Ethiopia. Rsif is the flagship programme of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET), managed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) as the Regional Coordination Unit. Dr Belay’s findings highlight the pressing need for resilient strategies tailored to smallholder farmers, a theme at the forefront of this year’s COP agenda. In a recent interview, she discussed the importance of climate adaptation strategies, such as drought-resistant crops and advanced irrigation methods, and the role of collaboration between researchers and agribusiness leaders. Here’s a look at her insights.
How do your findings from Southwestern and Central Ethiopia highlight the specific challenges smallholder farmers face in adapting to climate change, and what practical solutions have emerged from your research?
A: My findings reveal that smallholder farmers in Southwest and Central Ethiopia face numerous climate adaptation challenges, with the high Coefficient of Variability (CV) in rainfall in Central Ethiopia underscoring the impact of unpredictable weather on crop yields and food security. Farmers, particularly in lowland areas, struggle due to limited access to resources like agricultural credit, improved seeds, and irrigation technologies, which restricts their capacity to implement effective adaptation strategies. Low education levels further hinder farmers’ ability to understand and apply new technologies, while inadequate agricultural extension services limit awareness of available strategies. Practical solutions to address these issues include integrating improved crop varieties, irrigation technologies, and crop diversification, which have shown substantial benefits for food security. Targeted education and training programs can bridge knowledge gaps, while enhanced agricultural extension services can guide farmers in making informed decisions. Increasing access to credit and essential resources would empower farmers to invest in yield-boosting, drought-resistant, and disease-tolerant technologies. Community-based initiatives that encourage collaboration and share successful practices can also make adaptation strategies more effective and widely adopted. Together, these solutions offer a comprehensive approach to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change, ultimately improving food security.
In your view, how can innovations driven by African agribusiness leaders and researchers contribute to more resilient food systems, particularly in the context of Ethiopia’s rapidly changing climate?
A: African agribusiness experts and researchers are driving key innovations to build resilient food systems in Ethiopia, especially in the face of unpredictable climate patterns. Developing climate-resilient crop varieties is crucial, as they can withstand extreme weather, pests, and diseases, ensuring stable yields. Additionally, sustainable practices like agroecology and regenerative agriculture, which focus on soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity, are making farming both more resilient and profitable. Tools such as precision agriculture, mobile apps for market access, and climate-smart technologies are empowering farmers with real-time data, enabling smarter decisions on planting, resource use, and risk management. Collaboration among agribusinesses, research institutions, and local communities is vital, as involving farmers and incorporating local knowledge ensures solutions are tailored to specific needs, increasing their effectiveness and adoption. Furthermore, access to financial services, including microcredit and insurance, helps farmers invest in new technologies and manage climate-related risks. Together, climate-resilient crops, advanced technologies, stronger extension services, and improved financial access are essential for creating a resilient food system in Ethiopia, addressing current challenges, and preparing for future uncertainties.
Currently, Ethiopia is re-evaluating donkey farming to meet global trade demands. Photo: Courtesy
What role does climate-smart agriculture play in enhancing the food security and resilience of smallholder farmers, and can you share any success stories from your work that illustrate this?
A: Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is crucial for enhancing food security and resilience among smallholder farmers by promoting practices that boost productivity and help them adapt to and mitigate climate change. CSA focuses on three main goals: increasing agricultural productivity, improving resilience to climate variability, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For smallholder farmers, adopting CSA practices like crop diversification, soil management, and efficient water use can lead to better yields and a more reliable food supply. For example, planting drought-resistant crops ensures production even during dry spells, while agroforestry improves soil quality and biodiversity, helping communities better withstand climate shocks. In my research, a group of farmers in Central Ethiopia who implemented improved crop varieties, irrigation technologies, and crop diversification saw significant yield increases, even during periods of erratic rainfall. This not only boosted their food security but also allowed them to sell surplus produce and access broader markets, highlighting the effectiveness of targeted CSA training. Community-based initiatives, like the implementation of crop rotation systems by a group of farmers, further strengthened resilience to pests and diseases, improving overall food security for the community.
When it comes to building resilient food systems, what lessons can other African countries learn from the adaptive strategies of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia?
A: In my PhD research, the support from Rsif has been instrumental in studying climate change adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Rsif provided essential funding for data collection, access to research facilities, and networking opportunities with experts, enabling comprehensive fieldwork and engagement with local communities. To drive more innovation in Africa’s agricultural sector, expanding programs like Rsif could be a powerful step, increasing funding for research initiatives, fostering collaboration between universities, research institutions, and local agricultural groups, and focusing on capacity-building programs for emerging agricultural technologies. Rsif also facilitated my sandwich placement at the Greenwich Institute of Natural Resources, providing valuable international exposure and connections that greatly contributed to my academic and professional development. Additionally, an internship at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) under the AICCRA project offered practical skills essential for addressing climate change in agriculture, further reinforcing my commitment to sustainable farming and food security in Africa. These transformative experiences have been crucial in shaping my academic journey and career goals, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by Rsif.
What are the key barriers you’ve identified that hinder smallholder farmers from implementing climate-resilient practices, and how can they be overcome through research and policy?
A: Several factors play a crucial role in shaping farmers’ choices and implementation of adaptation strategies in response to climate change. Agricultural extension services are one of the most important, offering farmers essential guidance on best practices and new technologies. Farmers who regularly receive support from extension services are better equipped to make informed decisions that improve their resilience to climate challenges. Education level also significantly impacts adaptation; farmers with higher education levels generally have a better grasp of scientific information and technology, which helps them address climate-related challenges more effectively.
Farm size is another key factor, as larger landholdings allow for more diversification and investment in sustainable practices. Access to timely climate information is essential as well, enabling farmers to plan and adapt to changing conditions. Additionally, access to agricultural credit provides farmers with the financial means to invest in resources necessary for effective adaptation. Proximity to markets also influences adaptation, as farmers closer to markets have better access to resources and information, making it easier to adopt new practices and strategies.
For policymakers and agricultural support organizations, understanding these factors is essential to boost farmers’ resilience to climate change. Addressing these issues by enhancing access to agricultural extension services, implementing farmer training programs, facilitating access to credit, improving market access, and ensuring timely climate information can make a significant difference in resilience and food security.
Targeted research is also important to identify effective, context-specific adaptation strategies suitable for smallholder farmers. Policy efforts should aim to improve access to climate information through localized weather forecasting systems and information-sharing platforms. Strengthening agricultural extension by training more extension workers and equipping them with up-to-date knowledge on climate resilience will provide critical support to farmers, helping them better navigate climate-related challenges.
Looking ahead, what innovations do you believe hold the greatest potential for building resilient food systems in Africa, and how can African researchers and agribusiness leaders work together to make this a reality?
A: Looking ahead, several innovations could greatly strengthen Africa’s food systems. Climate adaptation strategies like improved crop varieties, advanced irrigation, and crop diversification can boost productivity while lessening environmental impact. Developing drought-resistant crops and using digital tools, such as mobile apps for weather updates and market access, can equip farmers with vital information.
Collaboration between African researchers and agribusiness leaders is essential to bring these innovations to life. Researchers can generate context-specific solutions, while agribusiness leaders can drive adoption through their networks. Public-private partnerships and innovation hubs that connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and farmers can support local solutions. Aligning research with agricultural needs and making innovations accessible can pave the way for resilient, food-secure systems across Africa.
