African Technology Policy Studies Network

Strengthening Climate Adaptation: Key Takeaways from the Validation Workshops in Nigeria and Senegal

Introduction

Senegal’s and Nigeria’s agricultural sectors face increasing challenges due to climate change, particularly among smallholder farmers who depend on rain-fed agriculture. Unpredictable weather patterns, declining yields, and increasing vulnerability have highlighted the urgent need for effective adaptation strategies. However, gaps in knowledge, skills, and collaboration among farmers, extension agents, and researchers have continued to hinder progress.

To address these challenges, Validation Workshops were held in Nigeria on December 4–5, 2024 and Podor, Senegal, on January 30-32, 2025, under the SCALE (Strengthening the Capacity of the Extension System to Use Proven Knowledge and Technologies for Locally Led Adaptation) initiative. These workshops focused on validating key capacity needs, identifying training interventions, and integrating local knowledge into agricultural extension systems.

Why These Workshops Mattered

Agricultural extension services play a crucial role in equipping farmers with climate adaptation strategies. However, prior assessments revealed significant capacity gaps:

  • Farmers lacked access to climate adaptation knowledge and financial resources.
  • Extension agents faced digital literacy challenges, limiting their ability to disseminate crucial information.
  • Researchers struggled to translate scientific findings into practical solutions for farmers.

Additionally, traditional farming knowledge, proven effective over generations, was often underutilized in formal extension systems. The workshops provided a platform to bridge these gaps and co-develop actionable solutions.

Workshop Objectives

The validation workshops aimed to:

  1. Confirm Key Capacity Needs – Validate the identified knowledge and skills gaps among farmers, extension agents, and researchers.
  2. Strengthen Capacity-Building Efforts – Identify priority areas for training and technical support.
  3. Integrate Local Knowledge – Validate traditional farming practices and technologies that could enhance climate resilience.
  4. Enhance Collaboration – Facilitate engagement between farmers, researchers, and policymakers to ensure sustainable adaptation strategies.

Key Areas of Focus

During the workshops, stakeholders reviewed critical findings, including:

🔹 Farmers’ Needs: Limited access to climate information, funding options, and a strong preference for hands-on training through field schools.
🔹 Extension Agents’ Challenges: Digital literacy gaps, inadequate tools, and weak collaboration with researchers and farmers.
🔹 Researchers’ Role: Need for improved communication strategies and participatory research methods to ensure effective knowledge transfer.
🔹 Traditional Knowledge & Practices: Recognition of indigenous farming techniques such as mixed farming, agroforestry, and organic pesticides, which have been effective in managing climate risks.

Key Takeaways and Outcomes

By the end of the workshops, participants had:

✔️ Validated a framework for strengthening agricultural extension services.
✔️ Documented a compendium of traditional knowledge for climate adaptation.
✔️ Developed clear strategies for enhancing collaboration among key stakeholders.
✔️ Proposed policy recommendations for inclusive and gender-sensitive climate adaptation approaches.

Conclusion

The validation workshops in Nigeria and Senegal marked a significant step toward empowering smallholder farmers with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to adapt to climate change. By integrating local knowledge with scientific research and strengthening extension services, the agricultural sector can build resilience and ensure sustainable food production for the future.

Moving forward, these validated insights will guide the development of targeted training programs and policies that support climate-resilient agriculture across Africa.

Written by,
Susan Aquila Mburu
Strategic Communicaiton and Change Management Leader