Climate change is one of the biggest challenge of our time and its impact on agriculture is not new to the world. It affects the sector in two different ways; first, agricultural activities contribute to some extent to changes in the global climate, yet it is also one of the first sectors to suffer from climate change, as do the people whose livelihoods depend on it. Before reaching our plates, our food is produced, stored, processed, packaged, transported, prepared, and served. At every stage, food provisioning releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Given the central importance of food in our lives, a reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions from agriculture remains quite challenging. Nevertheless, there is potential to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions linked to food production in the country. A better integration of innovative techniques into production methods; more efficient use of natural / organic fertilisers and greater efficiency in meat and dairy production can help. In addition to such efficiency gains, changes on the consumption side can help to further lower greenhouse-gas emissions linked to food. By reducing food waste and our consumption of emission-intensive food products, we can contribute to cutting the greenhouse-gas emissions of agriculture. More local food production and consumption would be an advantage for our small population in terms of imports and health gains. The farmers on Praslin faces difficulty in producing food all year round for the island owing to seasonal changes as well as unexpected weather patterns in the country. The Grand Anse farmers are still struggling to meet local demands while facing competition with aggressive imports of vegetables to the island for use by hotels and local consumer. The project seeks funding to assist with basic amenities that will allow for certain level of protection during unfavorable weather such as heavy rainfall resulting in flooding, extreme heat and climate change, so they can sustain their production through a whole year and meet the demand for agro production on the market.

The project will be over a period of 18 months with funding level of USD 40,000. It intends to promote the GEF Climate Smart Agroecology concept on Praslin and use the practice to increase productivity of farmers over the year. A group of farmers registered with the Seychelles Farmers Association will directly and indirectly benefit from the project through improved equipment, water storage facilities and efficient water management, some level of protection against extreme weather events and eco-friendly pest control as well as capacity building of farers and extension officers in CSA.

The project is expected to assist the farmers with waters tanks and related fittings, solar water pumps as available, management of river and water catchment areas. Shade house including the ultra violet plastic is also planned under the project. Farmers will also contribute to planting some native plants around the water catchments to protect it from drying out hence for continued running to the farms for savings and irrigation. The Praslin farmers will network with others to share or benefit from their experience and this will also encourage non-farmer members including women to join the association.