Regional Resilience Rice Value Chain Development (REWARD)

Mainstreaming Adaptation and Resilience

To address climate risks, GCA has identified and integrated adaptation solutions into the REWARD project to enhance the climate resilience of rice production systems in the country. These solutions focus on addressing key vulnerabilities across the value chain – including farmers, processors, and producers – in five highly vulnerable communities in the Central River (North and South) and Upper River Regions. These measures included improving water management systems (i.e. construction of rainwater harvesting and flood drainage infrastructure), scaling use of stress-tolerant rice varieties (Drought-tolerant varieties: such as NERICA 4,  Flood-tolerant varieties such as Swarna-Sub1 and Heat-tolerant varieties: such as Sahbhagi Dhan) and promotion of access to rice market and revenue diversification. These adaptation and resilience measures will generate a range of positive impacts beyond the core climate adaptation goals. The results of the  cost-benefit analysis indicated that the average rice yield across the five communities of Sanguleh, Safalu, Kesser Kunda, Dampha Kunda, and Limbambulu Bambo could increase from 1,296 kg/ha to 3,493.71 kg/ha, resulting in an additional cash return of USD 908,055 for the 5 communities—or approximately USD 147 per person / year in the five communities, provided the recommended adaptation measures are adopted.

Expected Project Outcomes

• Climate vulnerability level along the rice value chains across five exposed communities: Sanguleh, Safalu, Kesser Kunda, Dampha Kunda, and Limbambulu Bambo (in Central River North, Central River South, and Upper River regions) established and tailored adaptation measures identified and proposed.
• Evidence-based rationale for adaptation planning and prioritization of adaptation solutions tailored to local climate risks, including drought, flood, and heat stress achieved.