Mapping of Affordable Climate Smart Food Security Related Technologies

In response to the pressing need for innovative solutions to address food security challenges, IsDB initiated this mapping exercise and partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to produce a Mapping Report on Affordable and Transferrable Climate-Smart Technologies for Smallholder Farmers.

Objective - By identifying, analyzing and cataloguing affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly technologies, the mapping aims to build a knowledge base, a technology assessment framework and a decision support tool to guide evidence-based investment in promising agricultural technologies within unique contexts. This collaborative effort seeks to accelerate the development and transfer of environmentally friendly technologies, ultimately promoting low-carbon development, environmental sustainability and increased productivity, while mitigating risks to food security and public health.

Scope of the Mapping Exercise - This mapping targets 10 countries where smallholder farmers face different challenges, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Turkey.

The mapping effort focuses on six technology thematic areas critical to improving food security: 1) postharvest, reducing food loss and waste; 2) water management and water saving technologies in face of climate change; 3) sustainable pest control and crop management; 4) e-commerce and market access, 5) fintech; and 6) green energy for farmers agribusiness operations.

Methodology - A screening criteria and three-level technology assessment methodology was developed focusing on affordable, reliable and easy-to-use green and environmentally friendly technologies that have potential to be leveraged and mainstreamed throughout the crop value chain for improving food security among smallholder farmers in selected countries. The assessment methodology was transformed into a Green and Climate Smart Technology Assessment Tool (GC-STAT), an Excel-based tool allowing adaptable evaluation scores and criteria weights.

Outcome - A total of 10 technology directories were created which include detailed information for 349 technologies. A total of 228 technologies were then screened and evaluated through a multi-level assessment which included 3276 criteria, resulting in the identification of a total of 120 highly viable technologies.

The assessment methodology was transformed into the Green and Climate Smart Technology Assessment Tool (GC-STAT), an Excel-based tool allowing adaptable evaluation scores and criteria weights. GC-STAT streamlines technology assessment, providing a consistent and effective method for technology evaluation. It consists of seven sheets including a country profile, a methodology overview, a technology directory and assessment sheets. Its user-friendly design enables easy navigation through embedded links, facilitating thorough assessments without requiring advanced Excel expertise.

The iterative nature of the assessment methodology, coupled with highlighting the need for further stakeholder engagements and consultations, underscores a commitment to adaptability and responsiveness to context-specific needs and priorities.

For more details, please find the attached i) Mapping Report on Affordable and Transferrable Climate-Smart Technologies for Smallholder Farmers; and ii) Green and Climate Smart Technology Assessment Tool (GC- STAT).

Technology Appraisal Tool

In addition to the GC-STAT tool, the IsDB has also developed an in-house technology appraisal tool to determine its value preposition. The tool was developed to identify and evaluate deployable technological solutions that respond to the needs of the IsDB MCs. The tool is Intended to provide a structured methodology for examining technologies as well as support the assessment of mainstreaming potential of identified technologies in the IsDB sectoral interventions.

The Technology Solution Appraisal Tool aims to examine the usefulness, adaptability, adoption and sustainability of various technologies (existing and emerging). It will provide crucial insights to the Bank and other relevant stakeholders in making informed decisions pertaining to investments in any technology.

The Technology assessment framework is based on four main parameters focused on examining Technical, Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts of the technology. It also examines the deployment requirements of the Technology including the resources required and related Policy and Regulatory Framework.

The tool is designed to provide guidance in identifying and evaluating new and emerging innovative technologies that may be used for mainstreaming in the Bank’s development interventions to address sectoral related challenges in Member Countries (such as agriculture, education, health, energy, etc.). 

For more information about the in-house Technology Appraisal Tool, please refer to the attached document.