Action Research for Climate Adaptation in Agriculture

ARCAA supports locally led climate-adaptation action research aimed at informing climate-smart agricultural innovations and accelerating their scaling and adoption in Kenya and Nigeria. The programme is jointly coordinated by RTI International and RUFORUM, with funding from the Gates Foundation.

About the project

Africa is disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, yet most climate research on the continent is led by scientists based outside Africa. This imbalance limits representation of local perspectives and perpetuates dependency on external solutions.

To address this gap, RTI International and RUFORUM, with funding from the Gates Foundation, launched the ARCAA programme. ARCAA aims to support locally led action research that increases scaling and adoption of innovations and technologies to strengthen farmers' adaptation to climate change in Kenya and Nigeria.

Ultimately, the results of the action research funded through ARCAA are expected to meet the needs of small-scale producers by enhancing their productivity, income and nutrition in the face of climate shocks and environmental stresses.

Action research principles

ARCAA expects funded action research to be guided by the following principles set out by the Adaptation Research Alliance:

• Co-production with users
• Transdisciplinary
• Driven to inform decision-making and emphasise societal impact
• Builds capacity
• Addresses inequalities that contribute to vulnerability

Thematic areas

The programme focuses on priority thematic areas identified through stakeholder listening sessions in Kenya and Nigeria and aligned with global investments in climate adaptation in agriculture. Research proposed under these areas should address the needs of smallholder farmers, particularly those most vulnerable to climate change.

• Alternative livestock feed: nutritional value, safety and economics of feed ingredients made from locally available resources, from black soldier fly and cassava root to water hyacinth and castor seed derivatives.
• Aquaculture: climate-resilient, affordable technologies and viable geographies for priority species such as tilapia and catfish under future climate scenarios.
• Biofertilizers: cost-effective microbial inoculants that raise nutrient use efficiency and can complement or partially replace synthetic fertilizers.
• Digital advisory services: how digital and AI-powered advisory platforms strengthen climate resilience, and what determines digital readiness and inclusion.
• Irrigation: locally manufactured, affordable irrigation systems assessed for water use efficiency, energy needs, maintenance, farmer preference and gender inclusivity.
• Improved livestock breeds: breed selection and management strategies that balance productivity, climate resilience and economic viability across agroecological zones.
• Improved seed varieties: farmer access to, knowledge of and effective use of stress-tolerant varieties through local testing, participatory selection and delivery systems.

Research grants

ARCAA funds action research grants awarded to research teams based in Kenya and Nigeria, selected through a competitive process and developed together with RTI and RUFORUM before award.

• 14 grants, combined across Kenya and Nigeria
• Research runs for 2 years

Implementing partners