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The COVID-19 pandemic affected all countries in the world, including high-income countries in Europe and North America, and low-income countries in Africa and South America. It led to the partial closure of most economic and social activities. The pandemic created disruptions that led to significant economic loss. In 2020, huge amounts, unbudgeted expenses, were invested globally as epidemic control expenses. The spending was targeted at returning normalcy to the world as quick as possible. This paper reviews the sustainable development goals and presents implications in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The evidence emanating from the review informed the recommendation that the sustainable development goals shape and inform recovery plans from COVID-19. It emphasizes that lingering issues around climate change induced by anthropogenic activities such as greenhouse gas emission and deforestation place a demand on countries to bring the solutions to issues addressing biodiversity crises and income inequalities. The paper concludes that the coronavirus pandemic demonstrates that countries will only be able to protect themselves from global pandemics if health systems are strengthened through adequate funding.

Although Africa has the world’s largest arable land; the farming system is dominated by smallholder farmers. Africa's agriculture performance is characterized by poor technological inputs, low production, a traditional farming system, inadequate credit services and facilities, poor infrastructure, and market instability. In addition to frequent hydro-meteorological and biological hazards, the encroachment of the rangeland by invasive species, and currently COVID-19 has become a serious challenge to African agriculture and its food system. Sustainable agriculture is considered a remedy for land degradation, water scarcity and pollution, market fluctuation, and food insecurity. Hence, African nations should introduce and promote sustainable agriculture to improve the performance of the sector and reduce its side effect on the environment. Therefore, Africa nations should implement various types of sustainable agriculture practices such as permaculture, biodynamic, hydroponics and aquaponics, urban agriculture, agroforestry, and food forests, natural pest management, etc depending on their ecological, economic, and social settings and minimize the application of synthetic chemicals to increase production.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the delivery of public health systems, especially in African countries. This, in turn, has exacerbated the challenges faced in encouraging health professionals and the healthcare systems. Similarly, the pandemic has highlighted a strong need for sustainable investment in healthcare systems, and the need for developing resilient healthcare systems in Africa. This paper provides insights and expectations on partnerships and multilateralism as well as opportunities in post COVID-19 in Africa. It discusses how nations can strengthen both local and regional collaborations, while leveraging on already existing international collaborations. The pandemic has made friends of foes as competing nations have now engaged in deep collaborations to better serve and save their citizens and countries.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been implemented around the world since the 1990s on a national scale. Current EPR structures do not address the multiple product use cycle (second hand) and across borders (transboundary trade) of electronic devices like computers, washing machines, laptops, mobile phones etc. This policy brief sketches the contours of a new format which takes the multiple cycles and border crossing features as fundamental starting point to ensure circularity and sustainability by expanding the EPR concept to Ultimate Producer Responsibility (UPR).

This paper synthesizes a set of national case studies conducted in the Sahelian countries during 2019- 2020 as a collaboration between national universities and research institutes, and the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, with contributions from the Agrhymet Regional Centre, Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS). These case studies provide up-to-date knowledge and critical insights on the nexus of land degradation, climate change and energy in the Sahel. The current synthesis paper highlights their major findings and provides crosscutting and cross-regional analytical conclusions. First, the synthesis paper explores current trends in the Sahel region on land use and land degradation, energy use and supply, climate change projections and impacts, as well as their interactions and links to agricultural growth, food security, poverty reduction, and peace in the region. Second, technological, socio-economic and policy solutions at the nexus of land, water, energy and climate challenges that enable environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive rural development in the Sahel are discussed, including their interactions and implications for peace and stability in the region. The findings show that such socio-economic solutions as improving access to markets, strengthening social safety nets, increasing investments to transport and energy infrastructures, promoting land tenure security, expanding off-farm employment opportunities can greatly contribute to rural development in the Sahel, particularly by aiding climate change resilience and sustainable land management. Key technological innovations highlighted across the case studies include expanding irrigation and adopting water use efficient irrigation techniques, crop diversification, expanding agricultural mechanization, investing into restoring and rehabilitating degraded lands through reforestation, afforestation and agroforestry practices. The key lessons learnt from ongoing national policy initiatives for sustainable development highlight the importance of active stakeholder consultation and participation in policy formulation, institution of effective policy monitoring and assessment mechanisms, and avoiding of excessive reliance on external sources of funding for the successful implementation of sustainable development policies and programs. Based on these findings, the synthesis paper proposes an agenda for applied research to provide guidance to and accompany promising development strategies in and for the region.

This review report involves the analysis and synthesis of literatures on climate change, land use, energy, livelihoods and sustainable development in Nigeria. The methodology employed in the review involves searching keywords related to the study objectives on relevant literature search engines and platforms, including Google Scholar and Cross Referencing through triangulation of search results. The articles were screened and validated for inclusion or exclusion based on relevance, content and context. The review process follows the sustainable livelihoods framework. The search returns are complimented with published reports. The report provides information on the current status and guidance on appropriate interventions and innovative investments in Nigeria. Specifically, this report provides a systematic literature review on: 1) situation and trends in energy and land use changes, 2) observed and projected impacts of climate change, 3) technological, socioeconomic and policy actions for sustainable land management and climate change adaptation and mitigation, 4) evaluation of existing major policies and investments, and 5) conclusion and policy implications. Based on the assessment of literature in this study, the key trends and problems include inadequate attention to the agricultural sector over the years, which has caused a major setback in food security and productivity. Climate change has further exacerbated the problem through desertification, drought and flooding across the country. The literature further revealed inadequate energy supply, distribution and low per capita consumption in Nigeria. The use of fuel wood for heating and cooking has significantly contributed to deforestation by worsening land degradation. Resulting implications are that food security is threatened and economic growth is hampered. Land degradation negatively impacts the environment and the rural poor whose livelihoods depend on it. Opportunities in agriculture and renewable energy should be further harnessed and forest and land use policies should be enforced to ensure sustainable livelihoods. In Nigeria, policies and investment plans on land use, energy/electricity and agricultural livelihoods are not coherent and lack consistency in implementation. Thus, lack of strong institutions has resulted in the weak performance witnessed in programme and policy implementation on climate change mitigation, land use, energy and sustainable development in Nigeria. Therefore, there is a need for productive, viable, sustainable policy and programmes that support climate change mitigation, land use, energy and sustainable development in Nigeria. Another important suggestion is the need for provision of renewable energy mix (off-grid) in forms that are easily accessible and affordable by households. Adequate attention should be paid to the provision of bio-energy and the wider bio-economy framework, including the transformation of solid waste, wood waste and agricultural waste into bio-gas and energy. Overall, the investment landscape in Nigeria is improving, and various opportunities for investment in agricultural livelihoods and value chains, renewable energy, carbon trading and green bonds should be harnessed through public-private partnerships.

Small-scale irrigation has been identified as a potential adaptation strategy for climate change and boosting food security and livelihoods in dry regions. This study presents the analysis of the potential adoption of small-scale irrigation in two West African countries (Mali and Niger) by using a spatially explicit analytical framework. It underscores the need for strategically investing in the management of ground and surface water resources for the development of small-scale irrigation systems in the two countries. The study implemented an agent-based modeling technique to simulate small-scale irrigation decisions at the district and national level. The results revealed that, while small-scale irrigation can increase crop productivity in both countries, its adoption may be constrained by water scarcity and tensions in water allocation. Strategic water resource development plans should be established to ensure efficient and sustainable irrigation schemes, especially for areas with high potential profitability.

Small-scale irrigation has been identified as a potential adaptation strategy for climate change and boosting food security and livelihoods in dry regions. This study presents the analysis of the potential adoption of small-scale irrigation in two West African countries (Mali and Niger) by using a spatially explicit analytical framework. It underscores the need for strategically investing in the management of ground and surface water resources for the development of small-scale irrigation systems in the two countries. The study implemented an agent-based modeling technique to simulate small-scale irrigation decisions at the district and national level. The results revealed that, while small-scale irrigation can increase crop productivity in both countries, its adoption may be constrained by water scarcity and tensions in water allocation. Strategic water resource development plans should be established to ensure efficient and sustainable irrigation schemes, especially for areas with high potential profitability.

Smallholder farmers are faced with the challenges of low productivity, poor access to market, poor processing technology, and a vicious cycle of poverty. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) intervention focused on agriculture using a value chain approach to enhance market access and increase productivity growth and income of smallholder farmers.This study, therefore, assessed the effect of the IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) on the productivity growth and income of smallholder cassava and rice farmers in Obafemi-Owode and Yewa North local government areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Ogun State is one of the benefitting states of the IFAD Value Chain Development Programme in Nigeria. The study area comprises a traditionally agrarian population of cassava and rice staple farmers. The VCDP provided input support, agrochemicals, land development and preparation, agricultural processing and equipment and market interventions which are requisite value addition techniques. The beneficiaries of these supports are farmers in the different enterprise units (producers, processors and marketers).Data were collected using structured questionnaires and focused group discussions. The sample size comprised 329 respondents made up of 227 farming households in Obafemi-Owode and 102 farming households in Yewa North local governments areas of Ogun State. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the VCDP has contributed significantly to the productivity growth and income of smallholder farmers in Obafemi-Owode and Yewa North LGAs of Ogun State, Nigeria. It also led to enterprise development, value addition and marketable surpluses. The study also identified the challenges confronting the VCDP, and opportunities for scaling up the programme in Nigeria.Keywords: Smallholder farmers, Value chain, Cassava, Rice, Income

This study assessed the effectiveness of the delivery of knowledge and skills development programmes in improving the productivity of smallholder farmers. The study identified the post-harvest handling skills acquired and their effect on productivity, including yield, quantity of crop loss after harvesting, and income of farmers. Quantitative and qualitative data of a representative of 255 beneficiaries were captured through interviews with the aid of structured questionnaires. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were also gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.The average farm monthly income of farmers before and after the training were $41.12 and $72.96 respectively. The mean yield before the training for round potatoes and cauliflower were 1905.13kg/acre and 976.11kg/acre respectively, which significantly increased to 2696.13kg/acre and 1415.42kg/acre respectively after the training. Results indicated that skills for post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables were acquired during the training. These skills contributed significantly to decrease post-harvest loss of fruits and vegetables and increase yields and average incomes.The overall effect of the development programmes on the productivity of smallholder farmers was positive. However, to further improve productivity, the farmers need more training on post-harvest handling management, climate resilient agricultural practices, and prevention of pest invasion.Keywords: Knowledge, Post-harvest loss, Productivity, Income, Climate resilience

Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are usually the core drivers of economic growth, innovation and job creation in an economy. They are the backbone of developing countries and majorly contribute to their gross domestic product. Ghana’s Rural Enterprises Program (REP), sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Ghana (GoG), is part of the government’s efforts to reduce poverty and improve living conditions in the rural areas. One of the major components of this programme is “Access to Business Development Services”(BDS).This study focused on MSE beneficiaries of Business Development Services in the Atwima Mponua and Kwabre East districts of the Ashanti region of Ghana. The essence of the study is: to determine the effect that the BDS of the Rural Enterprises Program has had on the MSEs in terms of their livelihood as it pertains to income, asset acquisition and other aspects of their livelihood; to determine the level of empowerment of beneficiaries prior to and after the business development interventions; and to examine the challenges they face.Primary data was gathered through the administration of 366 structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data and the five Domains of Empowerment (5DE) sub-index of the Women in Agriculture Index (WEAI) were employed to determine the level of empowerment of beneficiaries of the BDS.The results indicate that the BDS intervention improved the livelihoods of the MSE owners, led to job creation, improved the businesses of the MSEs, created a source of income for those who had none before the intervention, increased the income of those who had businesses prior to the intervention, led to empowerment of the MSE owners and has also empowered women more than men.The study recommended that the government of Ghana, IFAD and AfDB should endeavour to continue this programme and work towards ensuring its sustainability.Keywords: Micro and small enterprises, Business Development Services, Rural livelihood, Empowerment

This study assessed afforestation activities in Embu and Kirinyaga counties in Kenya and the contributions of the Upper Tana Natural Resources Management Project (UTaNRMP) to livelihood and environmental sustainability. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were adopted for the study. The representative sample of 421 households was randomly selected and interviewed with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also conducted. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results revealed that afforestation in the catchment area has improved and the presence of community forest associations (CFAs) has led to increases in forest cover in most of the forests as areas initially degraded have been rehabilitated and there has been enhanced species regeneration. For instance, the New Njukiri CFA in Embu West, Kirimari Ward, has planted 150,000 tree seedlings, 75% exotic and 25% indigenous tree species, in 2 years (2015-2017) with an average survival rate of 75%, while the Kangaita Community Forest Users Association has rehabilitated 55 hectares of the Kangaita Forest in Kirinyaga County. The UTaNRMP has led to improvements in the level of mutual accountability, conservation awareness, and learning. Communities have embraced new sources of income like ecotourism, beekeeping and the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Scheme (PELIS) which has helped in increasing forest cover as well as improving food security. The study revealed improved income as the average household monthly income was over 20,000Ksh. Similarly, the average household meals per day was 3 meals and 81.7% of the households indicated no hunger in the last 1 month before the study. Results also revealed that social and economic factors significantly influenced livelihood diversification and afforestation in the catchment area.Overall, the UTaNRMP has contributed significantly to livelihood diversification, increased level of afforestation, enhanced community-based mutual accountability and learning as well as ensured environmental sustainability. However, there is the need to put in place a sustainable natural resources management framework for enhancing a sustainable balance in afforestation and livelihood in Kenya.Keywords: Climate change, Agricultural livelihood, Afforestation, Adaptation, Environmental sustainability