The AGRICA project, WASCAL being of the implementing partners, seeks to bridge the information gap and to provide scientific evidence to support the design of adaptation policies and strategies and to take investment decisions based on comprehensive risk assessments. The project provides comprehensive climate risk analyses for the agricultural sector in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings are meant to inform national and sub-national adaptation planning including NDC and NAP development and review processes but will also provide useful information and evidence to decision makers at other planning and implementation levels. The main research objectives of the ARCs are 1) a climate risk analysis with estimates of current and projected climate and weather-related impacts on water resources, crop and livestock production, and 2) an assessment of the costs and benefits of selected adaptation strategies versus no action. These two components are reflected in an impact dimension and an action dimension of the study. The impact dimension examines the interaction between climate change, water availability and agriculture and livestock, while the action dimension goes further by assessing the selected adaptation strategies using biophysical analysis, cost-benefit analysis and socio-economic analysis. Uncertainty related to the results will be critically debated and recommendations will be made to decision-makers.

Picture: Water collection pond