Since the introduction of the climate-smart agriculture (CSA) framework, various organizations
have pitched in and implemented CSA approaches within the spectrum of research, development,
extension, and policy advocacy. Interventions related to CSA were tested in learning platforms like
Climate-Smart Villages (CSV). Its benefits and challenges related to implementation were
documented and shared to further discussions and knowledge on CSA. After almost a decade of
research and promoting CSA in Southeast Asia, what remains as a key challenge is scaling out
CSA.
To promote the scaling out of CSA in Southeast Asia, IIRR held a 2-part webinar series titled
Scaling Out CSA via CSV: Lessons and good practices in Southeast Asia. They were held on 20 and 27 January 2021, respectively, and were attended by 611 participants from Southeast Asia and other parts of the globe.
The first part looked at experiences and lessons in scaling CSVs in Southeast Asia to facilitate
community-based adaptation. Dr. Julian Gonsalves (IIRR) started the webinar with a discussion of
key CSA concepts. Dr. Bui Le Vinh (CIAT Vietnam) shared how the CSV approach was integrated
into Vietnam’s New Rural Development Program for 2021-2030. Dr. Peter Sprang (IRRI) talked
about how CSVs are greatly encouraged by new market linkages. Alice Ilaga (Department of
Agriculture) shared how adaption and mitigation in agriculture were promoted via AMIA Villages in
the Philippines. Sorraphong Pasomsouk (WFP) discussed how climate change adaptation
strategies were integrated into World Food Programme’s nutrition-focused programs in Laos.
The second part aired the experiences of different organizations in implementing CSA in various
contexts in the region and the co-benefits these initiatives brought. Or Thy (IIRR Cambodia)
discussed how native chicken production is practiced by smallholder farmers in Mondul Kiri and
Koh Kong Provinces. Chan Myae (IIRR Myanmar) talked about the benefits of agroforestry and
how it promotes diversity, income, and reduced soil degradation in Myanmar’s Central Dry Zone.
Jerome Villanueva (IRRI) presented the importance of enhancing the climate resilience of community-
based seed production on the rainfed landscape. Andrew Hanley (NUIG) shared some steps on how to
build household food security and diet diversity in Myanmar CSVs. Thelma Paris (IIRR, IRRI)
discussed the mainstreaming of the gender dimension in community-based adaptation in CSVs in the
Philippines.
This webinar was sponsored jointly by IDRC / CRDI and CGIAR Research Program on Climate
Change, Agriculture and Food Security and is organized by IIRR with International Center for
Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
