‘Carbon Insetting’Adding Value to Agricultural Production in Nicaragua

(Coffee and Dual-Purpose Cattle)

‘Carbon Insetting: Capacity Building Event’ held by Plan Vivo Foundation on 10 th of November, LondonPresentation by Lisette Phelan, Eric Rahn, Rein van der Hoek and Peter Läderach

● CIAT’s Objectiveo To reduce hunger and poverty, improve nutrition and increase the eco-

efficiency of agriculture.

● Interest in Carbon Insettingo Climate Change – ‘Adaptation through Mitigation’.

● Case Study Value Chains

o Crop: Organic Coffee Production, Nicaraguao Livestock: Dual-Purpose Cattle Production, Nicaragua

CIAT’s interest in ‘Carbon Insetting’

CIAT’s  Frameworkto assess ‘Carbon Insetting’ Potential:

Source: CIAT , 2012 www.slideshare.net/CIAT/carbon-insetting

Climate Change Impact: Nicaragua

Past CIAT Experience:Organic Coffee Production, Nicaragua

● Objective

To increase the resilience of production systems and improve the livelihoods of smallholder coffee producers.

● Findings

Climate change has implications at all levels of the value chain.

● Methodology

Identification of suitable agronomic practices with carbon credit generation potential.

● Lessons Learned

Carbon insetting appeals to both the private sector and smallholder coffee producers. Source: Läderach et al., 2010

Past CIAT Experience:Organic Coffee Production, Nicaragua

Source: Rahn et al., 2013

Current CIAT Focus:Dual-Purpose Cattle Production, Nicaragua

● Objective

To assess the feasibility of carbon certification of livestock-related practices which lead to reduced GHG emissions, improved farmer livelihoods and a more efficient, productive and resilient supply chain.

● Project Plan: ‘Carbon Insetting in Dairy Value Chains’

A. Identify suitable agronomic practices with carbon credit generation potential.

B. Identify the socio-economic and cost-benefit implications of carbon efficient livestock practices.

C. Develop a project design document for the dairy sector to implement carbon insetting projects.

Source: FAO, 2013; Thomas et al. 2013

Current CIAT Focus:Dual-Purpose Cattle Production, Nicaragua

MSc Research: ‘Adding Value to Dual-Purpose Cattle Chains in Nicaragua’

MSc Research:‘Adding Value to Dual-Purpose Cattle Chains in Nicaragua’

● Objective

● Research Hypotheses

● Methodology

● Expected Findings

98% said they had noticed ‘climate change’

56% said the rainy season was shorter than in the past

65% said it was ‘more difficult to plan production’

65% said there was greater feed scarcity and disease incidence

95% said the risks associated with production had increased

82% said production costs had increased

58% said milk productivity had declined

80% said they would like to improve their production systems

Initial findings of household survey of 40 farmers in 5 districts:

85% said they would take part in a PES scheme

Dual-Purpose Cattle Production, Nicaragua

Thank you for your attention!