The expected outcomes of the Programme are:

Outcome 1: Best CSA technologies and practices suitable for smallholders, particularly women farmers identified and scaled up in project countries

Outcome 2: CSA policies and strategies mainstreamed in national agricultural development strategies with appropriate institutional arrangement for effective implementation

Outcome 3: Enhanced capacities of national staff (policy, research, and extension system) and smallholder farmers (with a special focus on women farmers) on CSA technologies and sustainable and resilient agricultural intensification.

Outcome 4: Enhanced SAC-led regional cooperation programme on CSA in the SAARC region.

The expected outputs of the Programme are:

Outputs of Component 1

1.1.: A report with an inventory of CSA technologies and practices that are relevant and scalable in selected agro-systems (rice-rice, rice-wheat, highland mixed, and rainfed mixed) in six project countries of South Asia.

Output 1.2.: A report and a policy brief based on the participatory research for viability assessment of CSA technologies and practices across project countries.

Output 1.3.: Reports and policy briefs based on the impact assessment and benefit-cost analysis of the most promising, smallholder-friendly, and scalable CSA technologies.

Output 1.4.: A set of three national strategies for three project countries for the scaling up of proven CSA technologies through NARES partners, farmer organizations, NGOs, IFAD-supported projects, and other government programmes.

Outputs of Component 2

Output 2.1.: Three policy papers outlining policy and institutional constraints to the adoption of the selected CSA technologies and practices and identifying strategies to reduce these constraints.

Output 2.2.: A strategy paper on how to promote regional cooperation for the promotion of CSA in South Asia.

Output 2.3.: One policy roundtable and one high-level policy forum to share scientific evidence, and experience in formulating and implementing CSA policies and find ways to improve regional cooperation for promoting climate-smart agriculture in South Asia.

Outputs of Component 3

Output 3.1.: A well-functioning community of practice on climate-smart agriculture consisting of researchers, entrepreneurs, farmer organizations, donors, and policymakers with regular exchange of experiences.

Output 3.2.: Training materials developed on CSA technologies and practices in collaboration with national and regional training centers to train farmers, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.

Output 3.3.: Enhanced knowledge and learning of farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs/service providers, and extension agents on CSA technologies.

Output 3.4.: Innovative knowledge-sharing approaches (e.g., Learning Routes) developed and pilot tested with the climate-smart community of practice.

Outputs of Component 4

Output 4.1.: A well-functioning Project Coordination Unit (PCU) set up and trained at SAC for effective implementation and monitoring of project activities.

Output 4.2.: Timely preparation and submission of progress reports and coordination of project activities.