WFC 1.7 Smallholders implementing climate-resilient practices and/or Voluntary Sustainability Standards

This indicator measures the number of smallholders who have adopted or continue to apply environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient practices supported by the project. These practices encompass a range of techniques such as agroecological methods, participatory guarantee schemes[1], and water conservation practices that enhance both environmental sustainability and climate adaptation.

Agroecology applies ecological concepts and principles to the study, design and management of sustainable food systems (FAO). Agroecological practices can be understood as all the practices which (I) rely on ecological processes as opposed to the use of agrochemical inputs; (ii) are equitable, environmentally friendly, locally adapted and controlled; and (iii) adopt a systemic approach, rather than focusing only on specific technical measures." (HLPE 2019, p 36)

The indicator also can consider smallholders adhering to Voluntary Sustainability Standards(VSS). VSS are sets of criteria that producers voluntarily follow to ensure that their operations are sustainable, integrating economic viability, environmental responsibility, and social equity.

[1] Participatory guarantee schemes are locally focused quality assurance systems for organic production. Unlike formal third-party certifications, PGS involve active participation of producers, consumers, and local stakeholders to ensure compliance with sustainable agriculture standards, mainly for local markets.

• Gender 

• Age  

• Left behind/vulnerable population group  

Smallholders engaged in agricultural activities within the project area.

• Surveys with smallholders: Data collected from surveys assessing their adoption of sustainable practices. It is strongly suggested to do a longitudinal study/ following up with the same primary stakeholders over time (at least baseline and endline) to see how change happened over time.

• Field Visits: Observations, notes, photos, and videos from field visits to verify survey data.

• Project Records: Documentation such as training logs and reports that complement the survey and field data.

At least baseline and endline

The first step is to clearly list the environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient practices that your project is promoting. Develop a checklist (answer options for your survey) that outlines:

• What specific practices should be implemented by smallholders. Use the list of criteria in the ACT and supplement with relevant practices if necessary. [1]

• How these practices should be applied to ensure they are valid and effective.

This checklist should be developed during the planning phase of the project, ensuring it aligns with your project goals and objectives.

Before the project activities begin, conduct a baseline survey to assess the current level of adoption of the targeted practices by smallholders. This will provide a reference point against which progress can be measured throughout the project. Baseline results may also inform adjustments to the prioritized practices, ensuring that the project focuses on the most relevant and impactful interventions.

Based on the defined practices, prepare a follow-up survey to be conducted with smallholder farmers at specified intervals (at least annually). The survey should assess whether the smallholders have adopted the targeted practices (see KOBO survey template below).

Field visits should accompany the baseline and follow-up surveys for direct observation. During these visits, take notes, photos, and videos as evidence to verify the smallholders’ responses. This will help ensure the accuracy of the reported data and provide a more complete picture of what's happening on the ground.

If it is not feasible to survey all smallholders due to resource constraints, you may survey a representative sample of the smallholder population. Ensure that the sample size is large enough to provide a 95% confidence level for reliable results.

For example, if your project involves 500 smallholders and resource constraints limit full-scale tracking, use a sample size calculator to determine the number of smallholders needed for statistical significance. In this case, you might survey 220 smallholders.

After the survey, extrapolate the findings to estimate the total number of smallholders adopting sustainable practices. For example, if 70% of the 220 surveyed smallholders have adopted the practices, you can estimate that 70% of all 500 participants, that is 350 smallholders have adopted the promoted practices.

The collected data, including the baseline and follow-up surveys, should be used to monitor progress toward your project’s objectives. Regular analysis of the survey results and field visit data can provide insights into the adoption rate and areas for improvement.

[1] As reference: The Agroecology Criteria Tool (ACT) developed by Biovision and based on the framework by Gliessman, helps assess agricultural programs, projects, or policies through the lens of agroecology. Each project is evaluated against 62 criteria that are grouped according to 5 levels of food system change and the 10+ elements of agroecology by the FAO.

To reach a specific level, a project must meet a set of criteria related to that level's objectives. The scoring system is binary (yes/no). There is no specific rule about how many criteria must be met at each level, as the tool is context specific.

If a project engages only with Level 1 (increase efficiency) or Level 2 (substitute external inputs), it is considered to be making incremental rather than transformative change.

A project should aim to meet at least Level 3 to be recognized as aligning with agroecological transformation.

Levels 4 and 5 go beyond production and involve socio-economic aspects, such as reconnecting producers and consumers, and responsible governance.

Challenge:  There is uncertainty if the recorded practices qualify.

Solution: Consult other HSI experts for verification.

SDC:
AFS_ARI_2 Number of smallholder farmers applying agroecological farming practices

IFAD:
2.2.12: Number of households reporting adaptation of environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient technologies and practices

FAO

SDG 2.4.1. Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

• WFC 1.10 Number of people who report to be more resilient to the adverse effects of climate change

• WFC 1.8 Number of smallholders who increased their net productivity per hectare

• CDR 1.3.1 Number of people reached through awareness raising activities on natural resource management, climate change, disaster risk management, biodiversity, and healthy ecosystems

• CDR 1.3.2 Number of persons trained in the fields of natural resource management, climate change, disaster risk management, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems

• CDR 1.3.3 Number of people covered by new measures based on a disaster/climate risk assessment that increase resilience and/or improve biodiversity

• CDR 1.3.4 Number of hectares on which measures supporting climate resilience and/or biodiversity have been taken

• CDR 1.3.5 Number of civil society, public or private actors supported to promote climate resilient development and improved ecosystems and/or biodiversity

• CDR 1.3.6 Number of initiatives established or supported to strengthen policies, norms, standards that integrate climate change adaptation and disaster risk management

• FAN 1.2.1 Number of smallholders capacitated in sustainable production, processing, and/or trade practices