CAFAESUP: Carbon Farming for Agricultural Sustainability and Profitability

Agriculture in East Africa is at the frontline of climate change, with degraded soils, falling yields, and increasing food insecurity. Smallholder farmers, who form the majority of
food producers, often lack access to regenerative practices, scientific data, or enabling policies. These farmers face reduced soil organic matter, declining resilience to climate
shocks, and limited livelihood options. Addressing this challenge requires holistic, climate-smart approaches that empower communities, restore soil health, and unlock sustainable income through innovations like carbon farming

CAFAESUP (Carbon Farming for Agricultural Sustainability and Profitability) is a flagship climate-resilient agriculture initiative led by FSPN Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. The program aims to transform smallholder farmlands into carbon sinks by promoting regenerative practices that sequester greenhouse gases in the soil. It directly addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by improving food security while restoring degraded ecosystems. The initiative uses AI-powered soil mapping to identify soil carbon potential and tailor farming interventions. Training hubs and demonstration plots are established in 30 Kenyan counties and 6 Tanzanian regions to educate farmers on composting, agroforestry, cover cropping, and minimal tillage. Youth and women are engaged through a 6-month bioeconomy accelerator where they learn to launch agri-enterprises rooted in carbon farming. The process is deeply participatory: farmer cooperatives co-create land management strategies, youth co-design innovation pilots, and local governments co-finance infrastructure. Cross-country collaboration is achieved through joint farmer exchanges, research sharing, and policy roundtables involving both Kenyan and Tanzanian actors. This South-South cooperation facilitates the practical replication and mutual learning between two regions affected by climate change.

As of 2024, CAFAESUP has reached over 3,000 farmers, increased soil organic matter by 28%, and reduced synthetic input use by 40%. 150 households have tested carbon credit
pilots, creating a new income source. County governments in Kenya have integrated CAFAESUP principles into climate-smart agriculture strategies. The initiative is innovative for combining indigenous knowledge with AI diagnostics and bioeconomic entrepreneurship. Its low-tech, high-impact model is ideal for rural Africa.
Sustainability is ensured through community ownership, co-investment from local authorities, and market linkages through youth-run enterprises. Replicability is high:
Similar projects are being co-designed for Uganda and Rwanda through the regional youth climate network.

Lessons learned include the value of farmer-led knowledge transfer, the importance of demystifying carbon markets, and the need for harmonized climate policies across
borders. CAFAESUP exemplifies how the Global South can lead in climate-smart innovation through equitable, inclusive cooperation.