The component aims at addressing constraints related to limited agricultural productivity and diversification which has been adversely affected by climate change, thereby limiting agricultural growth and food security. Key constraints include; (i) Weak agricultural extension services, (ii) Inadequate utilization of productive assets such as land and water, (iii) Limited access to finance (iv) Low soil fertility and its continuous depletion; (v) Pests and disease outbreaks combined with limited skills of farmers and extension workers to use integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) practices; (vi) Climate change.
Sub-Component 1.1: Promotion of Diversified Integrated Crop Production and Management Systems
- The sub-component focuses on supporting crop diversification and strengthening crop production and management systems through (a) support to diversified seed systems, (b) support to FISP by promoting access to improved inputs including high yielding maize varieties, other cereals and legume seeds, (c) strengthening crop protection through promotion of IPDM for pests and diseases control and reduction of post-harvest losses, and (d) Strengthening innovative agricultural extension and advisory services as a key driver to enhance sustainable crop diversification, production and management systems.
Sub-Component 1.2: Promotion of Integrated Soil Fertility Management
- The sub-component focuses on scaling up of climate smart agriculture practices among the smallholder farmers as a way of enhancing the resilience of agricultural production systems to climatic change shocks.
- The sub-component also aims at supporting implementation of area specific fertilizer recommendations and other good agronomic practices.
