Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow
Kenya,Tanzania,Uganda,
ongoing
Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project will increase the availability of climate smart foods for the growing populations of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) Project was launched in 2018 to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change to agriculture in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and implemented by SNV, in partnership with Wageningen University & Research and Agriterra, at the second phase, CRAFT set out to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses by promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and innovative financing models.
Initially planned to end in December 2023, the project was extended to June 2025 and then a no cost extension to September 2025, allowing even greater reach and impact.
CRAFT’s approach
CRAFT applied a private-sector-led model, focusing on three key workstreams:
Adoption: Driving uptake of CSA technologies and practices among farmers.
Investment: Mobilizing financing to de-risk and grow climate-smart value chains.
Enabling environment: Supporting policies and institutions to mainstream CSA.
The two cross-cutting workstreams were: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and knowledge sharing, & learning for sustainable impact.
Achievements (2018 – 2025)
Over six and a half years, CRAFT supported more than 200,000 farmers and over 30 agribusinesses, leaving a lasting impact across the three countries.
farmers reported improved resilience to climate shocks, with 205,217 also reporting increased incomes, resilience, and food security.
farmers accessed CSA inputs and services, and 280,423 received direct extension support.
hectares of farmland were made climate-resilient and 2,366 extension workers were trained to deliver CSA services to farming communities.
farmers applied at least two CSA practices on their farms.
farmers accessed climate and weather information services, with 33,699 adopting index-based insurance.
farmers received training on at least one CSA practice and 145,939 trained in multiple components of CSA.
Driving innovation and investment
A cornerstone of CRAFT was the Climate Innovation and Investment Financing Facility (CIIF), a €7 million matching grant designed to de-risk private sector investments in CSA.
Key innovations supported included:
• Bundled insurance and digital extension services
• Renewable energy-powered irrigation systems
• Mechanization services and CSA seed systems
• Tripartite financing models to expand farmer access to inputs
These innovations created market incentives that encouraged farmers and agribusinesses to integrate climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices into their operations.
In Uganda, CRAFT facilitated multi-stakeholder platforms to support knowledge sharing and learning. These platforms enabled CRAFT to contribute to key dialogues and the development of national strategies, including the Climate Services Strategy, which is expected to be finalised in 2025. CSA lessons generated during project implementation were also disseminated through these platforms.
In Tanzania, CRAFT collaborated with government agencies to develop seasonal forecasts and agro-advisories, while also strengthening the provision of weather information through dissemination platforms and other channels. Short-term crop suitability maps were produced using decadal forecasts and a year-round planning approach, which considered the likely effects of adaptation measures in reducing the negative impacts of climate variability.
Influencing policy and institutions
CRAFT worked closely with national and local governments to embed climate-smart agriculture (CSA) into climate strategies and agricultural policies, helping to create an enabling environment for long-term impact.
Strengthened the capacity of County Meteorological Services in Kenya to deliver more accurate, localised climate services.
Improved climate information dissemination to support timely and informed decision-making by farmers.
Advocated for stronger policy alignment and blended finance models to enhance scalability and sustainability of CSA practices.
Lessons and legacy
CRAFT demonstrated that climate-smart agriculture can be both commercially viable and climate-resilient—especially when driven by private sector engagement and local ownership.
Key lessons include:
CSA adoption is most effective when business-led, not aid-dependent.
Strong governance and financial literacy are critical for long-term sustainability.
Community-driven and market-led approaches help ensure continuity beyond donor support.
Scaling CSA requires policy coherence and access to innovative financing solutions.
As CRAFT comes to a close, it leaves behind proven models, practical tools, and a wealth of knowledge to guide future programmes and policies aimed at building resilient, inclusive, and market-driven food systems in East Africa.
