The agricultural sector, the backbone of most rural economies, is among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. From erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts to unpredictable floods and extreme weather events, these climate shocks pose a direct threat to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Traditional agri-finance models often fall short, as they are not designed to absorb or mitigate these risks, leaving farmers in a cycle of debt and vulnerability. Climate-adaptive agri-finance solutions offer a new paradigm, integrating climate data, risk-sharing mechanisms, and innovative financial products to build the resilience of farming communities. This approach is essential for ensuring food security and fostering sustainable development in a rapidly changing world.

This course is designed to equip microfinance and agribusiness professionals with the knowledge and tools to develop and implement financial products that help farmers adapt to climate variability. You will learn how to integrate climate-smart agriculture practices into lending models, use technology to assess and manage risks, and create partnerships that provide a holistic safety net for rural populations. By mastering the principles of climate-adaptive finance, you will be prepared to help farmers invest in resilient practices, protect their harvests, and secure their future against the rising challenges of a changing climate.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Microfinance institution (MFI) managers and executives
• Agricultural finance specialists and loan officers
• Development and financial inclusion practitioners
• Professionals in climate change adaptation
• Risk management and credit analysts
• Social entrepreneurs and startup founders
• Agribusiness professionals and consultants
• Government and policy advisors
• Researchers in climate science and development

Objectives:

• Master the core concepts of climate-adaptive agri-finance.
• Understand the specific climate risks faced by smallholder farmers.
• Learn how to integrate climate-smart agriculture practices into financial products.
• Grasp the role of technology and data in climate risk assessment.
• Explore innovative financial products like weather-indexed insurance.
• Understand the importance of a well-defined risk management framework.
• Learn how to build partnerships with ag-tech companies and NGOs.
• Understand the legal and regulatory frameworks for climate finance.
• Analyze successful case studies from different regions.
• Develop a strategic roadmap for a climate-adaptive agri-finance program.

Module 1: The Climate and Agriculture Nexus

• Understanding climate change and its impact on agriculture
• The key climate risks for smallholder farmers
• The link between climate change, food security, and poverty
• The role of financial services in climate adaptation
• The business case for climate-adaptive finance

Module 2: Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)

• The three pillars of CSA: productivity, adaptation, and mitigation
• Key CSA practices (e.g., conservation agriculture, agroforestry)
• The financial needs of farmers adopting CSA practices
• How financial products can incentivize CSA adoption
• Case studies of CSA financing

Module 3: Product Design for Climate Resilience

• Designing loans that align with new production cycles
• The importance of flexible repayment terms and grace periods
• The role of bundled products (e.g., credit with insurance)
• Loans for climate-resilient seeds and irrigation equipment
• Designing a product that is both profitable and impactful

Module 4: Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• The main risks: drought, flood, pests, and price volatility
• Using climate data for risk assessment
• The role of crop and livestock insurance
• Strategies for portfolio diversification
• Building a risk management framework for climate-sensitive portfolios

Module 5: Technology and Data Analytics

• Using remote sensing and satellite data for monitoring
• The role of weather-based early warning systems
• Leveraging mobile apps for real-time information
• The importance of a robust data collection system
• Using machine learning to predict crop yields

Module 6: Weather-Indexed Insurance

• How weather-indexed insurance works
• The benefits for farmers and financial institutions
• The challenges of implementing weather-indexed insurance
• The role of a reliable data source
• Case studies of successful weather-indexed insurance products

Module 7: The Partnership Ecosystem

• Partnering with ag-tech companies and data providers
• Collaborating with NGOs and research institutions
• The role of government and policy support
• Building a network of trust and collaboration
• Leveraging partnerships for non-financial services

Module 8: The Legal and Regulatory Environment

• Navigating the regulatory framework for climate finance
• The role of government subsidies and incentives
• The importance of a supportive policy environment
• The role of green bonds and other financial instruments
• Advocating for policies that support climate-adaptive finance

Module 9: Operations and Field Management

• Training loan officers on climate-smart agriculture
• The importance of a well-defined field protocol
• Managing a portfolio in a climate-volatile environment
• The role of community-based agents
• The importance of a robust monitoring and evaluation system

Module 10: The Future of Agri-Finance

• The convergence of climate finance and microfinance
• The role of global climate funds and carbon credits
• The potential of blockchain for transparent value chains
• The long-term vision for a climate-resilient financial system
• New trends and innovations in the sector

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.