Responsible governance through engaging with farmers

“Desertification is one of the biggest challenges farmers are facing,” said Grace Gitau, farmer and Managing Director of African Farmer Needs at Farm Level Initiative (AFNEED).

At the UNCCD COP16, experts are emphasizing the urgent need to address desertification through collaboration between governments, private and public entities, and research organizations like CGIAR. Tackling this issue requires responsible and inclusive land governance. This approach depends on research and partnerships with constituents to inform sound policies. The CGIAR Environmental Health and Biodiversity (EH&B) Platform contributes by collaborating with local stakeholders to conduct research and sharing findings with regional, national, and global policymakers and practitioners—grounding policies in robust evidence.

On December 6th, Governance Day at the UNCCD COP16 spotlighted governance strategies that uphold human rights, combat land degradation, and promote equitable development. The CGIAR EH&B Platform hosted a panel discussion titled Partnering for Success: What Kenyan Women Farmers Want Us to Know, where farmers, including Grace Gitau, shared insights on fostering successful partnerships.

The panel addressed a pressing question: “What do Kenyan farmers need?” The consensus was clear: farmers want more opportunities to collaborate directly with CGIAR scientists, actively contribute to solution-building discussions, and share their practical knowledge about what works best in their contexts.

Another key panel, What Role Can Authorities and Subnational Government Play in Sustainable Land Management and Drought Resilience?, explored local governance interventions for building drought resilience.

Key takeaways included:

• Local groups can mobilize resources, promote collaboration across communities, and facilitate dialogue between social and political stakeholders to scale successful solutions.
• While local organizations may lack specific technical skills, they play a crucial role in addressing climate challenges. Partnerships are essential for fostering innovative solutions.
• Policies must align across local, regional, and global levels to ensure consistency and effectiveness. For example, conflicts may arise when regional land-use policies promote conservation while local rules prioritize agricultural expansion.

By prioritizing governance structures that engage farmers and local collectives (through knowledge exchange), fostering policy alignment across all levels (strengthening legal frameworks), and partnering with governments, investors, and innovators (mobilizing resources), organizations are advancing Governance Day goals for equitable climate solutions.

The day concluded on a hopeful note, with actionable strategies outlined for fostering responsible and inclusive governance to address desertification and climate challenges.