Plataforma de innovación para mejorar la adaptación local al cambio climático: monitoreo y evaluación de una dinámica colectiva en Colombia

While the effects of climate change are seen globally the most pronounced effects are manifested in the poorest and most marginal areas, in particular in rural areas, whose livelihoods depend mainly on natural resources. To address the interrelated challenges of food security and climate change the ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)’ aims to achieve food security, increase productivity sustainably, improve resilience and reduce greenhouse gases. Innovate on sustainable agriculture adapted to the climate is urgent; however, such innovation requires not only technical changes but also consider the collective nature of innovation. The concept of "innovation platform" has been gaining ground as a mechanism to encourage and support the collaboration of multi-stakeholders in agricultural research and development. This work has as main objective to determine how to c co-construct an Innovation Platform to promote the adoption of measures for Sustainable Agriculture adapted to the climate and to enhance the capacities of small farmers to face Climate Change (CC). This study was conducted in Colombia in the department of Cauca where the Research Program CGIAR coordinated by CIAT and its partners (Ecohábitats Foundation, the Community Action Boards, the producers of the study area, the Educational Institution Las Mercedes) are implementing a TESAC (sustainable Planning Adapted to Climate). The informal network formed by these partners can be qualified as an innovation platform as they interact to achieve a common goal which is the implementation of farm adaptation plans. Monitoring of the dynamics of the Innovation Platform already formed by one year was done, and follow-up of the adaptation measures defined in the farm adaptation plans was performed using various methodologies, including observations, surveys and interviews. Strengthening productivity, adaptation and mitigation (Pillars ASAC) was evaluated permitted by the measures using as tools templates and a Excel calculator created in Excel used with the producers during two workshops one under current climatic conditions and other to 2030 (one extreme scenario and one moderate). Monitoring showed changes in the local environment of producers translated by changes in networks of actors, a positive dynamic of producer participation in activities, significant changes between the initial and final knowledge of producers about concepts such as change or vulnerability climate. It was also possible to measure positive effects on the three pillars ASAC. It was concluded that formal and informal organizations are equally important, as they constitute a powerful mechanism in the process of adaptation and innovation and innovation platforms can be considered as an effective device for collective learning and adaptation to Climate Change.