Projects

ROBUST (2022-2025) - Robusta coffee agroforestry to adapt and mitigate climate change in Uganda - Funding EU

Project leader: F Pinard

Scientists involved from our team : V Poncet

The aim of Project ROBUST is to address the issue of climate resilience and sustainability of Robusta coffee Agroforestry farming systems (C-Af) in Uganda through scientific innovation and action oriented research.

To achieve its general objective, the project adopts the two recommended guiding principles: innovation of improved coffee agroforestry practices and uptake by stakeholders.

Innovation will be generated through international research collaboration, to connect EU and Ugandan scientists, and participative approach, to design a project research architecture ensuring achievements and experience sharing.

Specifically, innovation will focus on improved Robusta-coffee-based agroforestry systems designed for enhanced adaptation, mitigation and resilience capacity to buffer climate change impact. It will provide guidelines to improve productivity by (i) tree-based diversification and restoration; (ii) selection and conservation of drought tolerant Robusta coffee germplasm; (iii) soil health preservation including carbon-sequestration ability; and (iv) control of invasive/emerging pests and disease.

Uptake will be promoted at various levels of the production sector, through permanent multi-stakeholder dialogue and interactions, to facilitate adoption of agroforestry practices by local producers' communities, and also to foster the integration of the designed package within the national strategy (NAP, NDC) to counter climate change and global warming effects.

Specifically, uptake will foster the adoption of the innovation at all levels, from farm to development strategy designers, of C-Af as a means to counter climate change impact. The objective will be achieved by implementing climate-relevant practices/innovations through (i) training of farmer associations, cooperatives and farmers in ecosystem services; (ii) supporting demonstration of adaptation, conservation and mitigation measures such as options for economic diversification, promotion of cycle economy and use of renewable energy, sustainable soil and water resources management; (iii) promoting coffee agroforestry practices for environment sustainable protection restoration and GHG emission reduction. SO2 will implement a dedicated Agriculture and Knowledge Innovation System (AKIS) approach, benefiting a large spectrum of coffee value chain stakeholders, from farmers to national authorities and decision makers.