Menu
MapConnectionsTopicsBulgariaThe Night (K-TRIO)Marie Skłodowska-CurieFor studentsFor teachersMethodologySurprise me
HEIndividual fellowship2023–2025

EconCSA · Assessing the Economic Efficiency of Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia.

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-09-01 → 2025-12-31
EU contribution
€188,590
Participants
1
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Assessing the Economic Efficiency of Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia.

The project EconCSA (Assessing the Economic Efficiency of Climate-Smart Agriculture in South Asia) was implemented from September 2023 to December 2025 at Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM). Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has been widely promoted in South Asia. However, despite growing adoption, there has been: -Limited empirical evidence on economic efficiency of specific CSA technologies. -Insufficient cost–benefit analysis (CBA) incorporating externalities. -Weak policy-relevant evidence to prioritize investments. -Limited understanding of trade-offs in productivity, income, and environmental impacts. The project focused on Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka (NIS), targeting smallholder farmers cultivating rice, wheat, and maize. The overarching goal was to assess the economic efficiency of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices through comprehensive cost–benefit analysis. The EconCSA project successfully filled a critical research gap by providing robust economic evidence on Climate-Smart Agriculture in South Asia. It combined participatory methods, rigorous cost-benefit analysis including externalities, and policy-oriented dissemination to advance sustainable agricultural transformation. The results provide actionable insights for policymakers, strengthen EU–South Asia collaboration, and contribute to global climate and development objectives. Specific objectives included: -Developing a CSA prioritization framework. -Evaluating costs, benefits, and uncertainties associated with CSA practices. -Valuing and integrating externalities (environmental and social) into economic assessments. -Generating policy-relevant evidence to guide investment and scaling. -Promoting dissemination and capacity building among farmers and stakeholders. The project concluded that: Several CSA practices in South Asia are economically viable and cost-effective, particularly when externalities are accounted for. Economic performance varies significantly across agro-ecological zones, highlighting the need for context-specific policy. Incorporating externalities improves the accuracy of investment decisions and avoids underestimation of long-term benefits. CSA adoption can increase household income, food security, and resilience while supporting environmental sustainability. Targeted technical and financial support is essential for scaling economically efficient CSA technologies. Although the planned CSAFarm web platform could not be developed due to budget constraints, all core scientific objectives were achieved.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The South Asian countries are experiencing climate uncertainty and extremes which are disproportionally affecting agriculture, food security and livelihoods of small-scale farmers. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is undoubtedly important to deal with challenges through increasing productivity, adaptation and mitigation. Currently, some of the governments are working to promote CSA technologies to reduce the climate change effects on the agricultural sector and enhance the resilience of small-scale farmers. However, the economic effects of these practices have not been done yet. This research aims to assess the economic efficiency of CSA practices through cost and benefit analysis in the South Asian countries particularly in Nepal, India and Sri Lank (NIS). A thorough understanding of the costs and benefits of CSA options is urgently needed to identify the best adaptation options and their tradeoffs, to scale out the economically feasible technologies and to channel investments effectively and efficiently towards both short- and long-term interventions. The research assesses the cost-benefit of the CSA options into farm production systems. Indicators related to profitability and valuation of environmental and social externalities will be used to assess CSA options. Extended Net Present Value and Real Options Valuation method will be applied to address the uncertainty. The outcomes of the research would support for the farmers to make decisions on the most efficient option to establish the best-bet CSA investment portfolios and for policymakers to formulate effective climate change and agricultural policies and programs in South Asia. The research generates evidence-based knowledge material that fosters the links between science, practice and policy linkages for sustainable food security, small-scale farmers' resilience to climate change; and it is in line with the EU Agricultural Policy. Further, it will help to achieve the SDGs 1, 2 and 13 in the studied countries.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • FONDAZIONE ENI ENRICO MATTEI · MilanoCoordinatorItaly

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union