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DocumentClimate Change Financing. What Are the Challenges and the Opportunities for Financing Agriculture in Africa?
Issue Papers. EASYPol Module 100
2011Also available in:
While agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which need mitigating, it also provides opportunities for significant carbon storage, for example, in tree crops and in soils. In fact, the global sequestration potential through increasing organic soil carbon via improved agricultural practices is estimated to be 1 to 6 Gt of carbon per year. In Africa, one of the most significant consequences of conventional agriculture is the rapid depletion of soil organic ma tter (SOM). Repeated cultivation and use degrades soils and lowers crop yields while increases production costs. African farmers have the potential to both reduce GHG emissions and increase agricultural yields. The technical mitigation potential of agriculture by 2030 in Africa reaches 2Gt of CO2-eq per year1 . With the promise of emission reductions, carbon finance could underwrite the training of farmers in new practices as well as establish Monitoring, Verifying, Reporting (MRV) systems to track that both carbon and agricultural benefits are accrued2 . As potential interest in African agricultural carbon projects grows, the pipeline of prospective projects also expands. Current performing carbon funded projects present four main similarities : (i) a clearly defined geographic delimitation, (ii) an aggregator which is a main organization grouping the beneficiaries and providing an eventual channel to provide incentives to beneficiaries, (iii) a clearly quantified carbon red uction target based on GHG calculator as FAO EX-ACT, and (iv) access to carbon funding support. -
Book (stand-alone)Desalination for agricultural development: Addressing opportunities and challenges in the context of climate change and the global agricultural commodity market
Expert consultation workshop report
2025Also available in:
No results found.The integration of desalination into agricultural practices presents a transformative opportunity to address water scarcity in a rapidly changing climate. This guidance document has highlighted the technological advances, agronomic opportunities, economic challenges, environmental impacts and social considerations associated with doing so.Technologically, desalination has evolved significantly, offering viable solutions for both seawater and brackish water, with reverse osmosis leading the way. However, the high costs and energy requirements of desalination remain significant challenges, particularly for widespread agricultural use. Innovations in energy efficiency, brine management, and the potential for resource recovery from brine are promising developments that could lower costs and environmental impacts in the future.Agronomically, desalinated water can support high-value crops, and it has the potential to support food security in regions facing severe water scarcity. However, the unique chemical composition of desalinated water, including low nutrient content and the potential for phytotoxicity, necessitates careful management to avoid adverse effects on soil health and crop productivity. Blending desalinated water with water from other sources and adjusting fertilization practices can mitigate some of these concerns.Economically, the viability of desalination for agriculture depends on the value of the crops being irrigated, the proximity of desalination plants to agricultural lands, and the availability of financing mechanisms. The high cost of desalinated water requires targeted subsidies, public–private partnerships, and innovative financing models to make it accessible and sustainable for farmers, particularly in developing regions. Further research is needed to analyse the costs and benefits of desalination for “strategic” crops in water-scarce areas – such as cereals and animal fodder – which are intended to contribute to food security.Environmental sustainability is a critical consideration, with desalination’s energy intensity and brine disposal posing significant risks. The shift towards renewable energy sources and the development of brine valorization strategies are essential steps towards reducing the environmental footprint of desalination. Moreover, the potential for desalination to contribute to aquifer recharge and prevent overextraction of freshwater resources offers additional environmental benefits.
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