Home » Projects » Strengthening the Capacity of the Extension System to use Proven Knowledge and Technologies to Sustain Equitable Locally Led Adaptation Among Smallholder Farmers (SCALE)

SCALE Strengthening Extension Systems for Equitable Locally Led Adaptation

Empowering smallholder farmers in Africa with knowledge and technologies for climate resilience.

Project Overview

SCALE strengthens extension systems to transfer proven climate adaptation technologies to smallholder farmers through equitable, locally-led strategies.

Challenge

Smallholder farmers lack systematic access to credible climate adaptation knowledge. Extension systems need capacity strengthening for equitable approaches.

Solution

Transform extension through capacity building, co-designed interventions, and inclusive knowledge platforms.

Approach

Three interconnected work packages: analysis, capacity strengthening, and knowledge platforms.

Work Packages

Analysis & Assessment

Map actors & linkages
Assess capacities & gaps
Identify gender-specific needs
Analyze adaptation priorities

Capacity Strengthening

Co-design training
Develop inclusive materials
Provide technical support
Integrate indigenous knowledge

Knowledge Platforms

Peer learning networks
Farmer exchange systems
Digital access platforms
Multi-stakeholder forums

Guiding Principles

♀♂ Gender-Responsive

⚖️ Equitable

🤲 Inclusive

🏘️ Locally-Led

👥 Co-Designed

🔄 Sustainable

Expected Outcomes

Strengthened Extension

Enhanced capacity for sustained knowledge transfer.

Farmer Resilience

Better access to proven adaptation technologies.

Locally-Led Adaptation

Community-owned, demand-driven approaches.

Sustainable Exchange

Robust platforms for continuous learning.

Key Actors in Agricultural Extension & Climate Adaptation

Total Actors

Government Ministries

Researchers

NGOs/CSOs

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S/N	Name of Key Actor	Gender	Role & Responsibilities	Contact Information	Existing Collaborations	Areas of Intervention

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ATPS ICE Platform

Information, Communication & Exchange

Access technical documents and external resources related to agricultural technology and policy.

Integrating Farmers Knowledge into Extension Approaches

PDF Document

This document explores methodologies for incorporating indigenous and local farmer knowledge into agricultural extension services. It provides case studies and frameworks for more inclusive and effective knowledge transfer between researchers, extension workers, and farming communities.

Published: February 2026

PDF Format

Extension Methodology

Direct Download

https://atpsice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Integrating-Farmers-Knowledge-into-Extension-Approaches.pdf

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G-FRAS Training Environment

External Resource

The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (G-FRAS) training environment provides access to learning modules, resources, and tools for extension professionals. This platform supports capacity building in rural advisory services through interactive training materials and collaborative learning opportunities.

External Website

Training Platform

Extension Professionals

Interactive Learning

https://nelk.g-fras.org/en/

Visit G-FRAS Platform

Adaptation Strategy	Details	Number of Reports	Citations
Drought-resistant crops	Adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties to cope with reduced rainfall and prolonged droughts.	8	(Komba & Muchapondwa, 2012), (Gbegbelegbe et al., 2018), (Atube et al., 2021), (Tambo & Abdoulaye, 2013), (Makate et al., 2019), (Jiri & Mafongoya, 2017), (Ubisi et al., 2017), (Tambo & Abdoulaye, 2013)
Access to credit and extension services	Provision of financial services and agricultural extension services to enhance adaptation capacity.	7	(Atube et al., 2021), (Komba & Muchapondwa, 2012), (Zamasiya et al., 2017), (Tambo & Abdoulaye, 2013), (Makate et al., 2019), (Tesfuhuney & Mbeletshie, 2021), (Thinda et al., 2020)
Improved irrigation	Use of irrigation systems to ensure water supply during dry periods.	6	(Komba & Muchapondwa, 2012), (Gandure et al., 2013), (Makate et al., 2019), (Mutekwa, 2009), (Sani, 2016), (Waldman et al., 2019)
Changing planting dates	Adjusting the timing of planting to match the changing weather patterns and optimize crop yields.	6	(Ubisi et al., 2017), (Gbegbelegbe et al., 2018), (Tambo & Abdoulaye, 2013), (Aniah et al., 2019), (Mwalusepo et al., 2015), (Rusinga et al., 2014)
Soil conservation techniques	Techniques such as mulching, zero tillage, and agroforestry to conserve soil moisture and fertility.	5	(Ubisi et al., 2017), (Aniah et al., 2019), (Rusinga et al., 2014), (Sani, 2016), (Tesfuhuney & Mbeletshie, 2021)
Crop diversification	Growing a variety of crops to reduce the risk of total crop failure due to climatic events.	5	(Atube et al., 2021), (Aniah et al., 2019), (Sani, 2016), (Gandure et al., 2013), (Gbegbelegbe et al., 2018)
Water harvesting	Techniques for collecting and storing rainwater to be used during dry periods.	4	(Gandure et al., 2013), (Mwalusepo et al., 2015), (Mutekwa, 2009), (Sani, 2016)
Tree planting	Planting trees to act as windbreaks, provide shade, and improve soil quality.	4	(Komba & Muchapondwa, 2012), (Atube et al., 2021), (Tambo & Abdoulaye, 2013), (Sani, 2016)
Collective action	Forming farmer groups to share knowledge, pool resources, and increase bargaining power.	3	(Ombogoh et al., 2018), (Gbegbelegbe et al., 2018), (Tesfuhuney & Mbeletshie, 2021)
Total		48