Climate Risk Management for Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) Training-of-Trainers for MASAE Bureau for Professional Agricultural Training

The Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project aims to enhance access and use of climate information services (CIS) and validated climate-smart agriculture technologies in Africa, to help these countries strengthen the resilience of their agricultural sectors to the threat posed by climate change. Strengthening the capacity of next users, particularly agricultural extension and advisory service (EAS) providers who work to support farmers in Senegal and five other target countries, is crucial for achieving this goal. In this context, AICCRA has been working to co-design Climate Risk Management for Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) curricula tailored to the agricultural extension systems of the six target countries. These curricula aim to equip EAS providers with the best available location-specific climate information and tools, enabling them to better plan for and respond to climate challenges and guide farmer decision-making and risk management. In Senegal, the CRMAE curriculum was co-developed by national partners through a series of consultations beginning in May 2022. It was transferred to national institutions through a training-of-trainers (ToT) workshop held in March 2023 and piloted with EAS providers at three locations in May 2023. Within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock (MASAE), the Bureau for Professional Agricultural Training (BFPA) is responsible for supporting and coordinating agricultural and rural training policies and initiatives that improve agricultural education, especially for Senegal’s rural population. MASAE requested AICCRA-Senegal to provide training on the CRMAE curriculum to BFPA professionals in its network of training centers, enabling them adapt CRMAE concepts and content to train EAS providers and other local agricultural leaders. This ToT, conducted at the MASAE facilities in Diamniandio, Senegal, from 29 September to 4 October 2024, was a key step toward sustainably strengthening institutional capacity to support Senegal’s farmers with actionable climate information services.