Here are five key focus areas where EPIC has comparative advantages in knowledge and expertise to provide insightful and useful outputs:
Generate data and share knowledge
Information available on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and the barriers to adoption is very limited. EPIC seeks to bridge this knowledge gap through the provision of sound evidence and broad dissemination of results though various channels.
Research relationships between food security, adaptation and mitigation
EPIC analyzes the relative costs and benefits of changes in smallholder agricultural practices in terms of CSA’s three objectives: adaptation, mitigation and food security. The initial phase focuses on synthesizing available information on trade-offs and synergies globally. Next steps include costing prioritized CSA options resulting from data analysis and information available.
EPIC works with regional policy instruments, such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, national sectoral plans, and emerging national policy instruments, to enhance partner countries' capacities to support CSA.
International negotiations and processes
EPIC contributes to multilateral negotiations on climate change, such as the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), Rio+20 and the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). We submit briefs and presentations on issues related CSA and also facilitate the participation of representatives from Ministries of Agriculture in climate change negotiations with a view to strengthen their negotiating and networking capacities.
We work with a large number of stakeholders, including agriculture and climate change policy-makers, students and researchers to strengthen their capacities on issues of CSA. In partner countries, EPIC provides training courses, workshops, and exchange visits to develop the capacity of participants to take informed decisions and promote Climate-Smart agricultural practices.