Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EconCSA (Assessing the Economic Efficiency of Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia.)
Période du rapport: 2023-09-01 au 2025-12-31
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.
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.
The project was structured into five work packages (WPs):
WP1 – Desk Study, Training and Framework Development
Work performed: Comprehensive review of state-of-the-art literature; Training in environmental economics and externality valuation; Development of research and analytical framework.
Main achievements:
-Review paper on CSA and SDGs (under review).
-Strengthened methodological basis for cost-benefit integration of environmental externalities.
-Advanced training in climate and environmental economics.
WP2 – Fieldwork and CSA Prioritization
Work performed: Six participatory workshops in Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka; Stakeholder consultations; Identification and prioritization of high-value CSA practices; Externality-focused workshops in each country.
Main achievements:
-Participatory CSA prioritization framework.
-Journal manuscript on CSA prioritization (drafted).
-Engagement of farmers and institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and Janathakshan (Sri Lanka).
WP3 – Household Surveys and Data Collection
Work performed:100 smallholder farmers surveyed per country; Focus group discussions and participatory rural appraisals; Collection of cost, benefit, and externality data; Expert consultation workshops.
Main achievements:
-Unique cross-country micro-level dataset.
-Comprehensive valuation of private and external costs/benefits.
-Major scientific paper submitted to Frontiers in Environmental Economics.
WP4 – Data Analysis and Scientific Output
Work performed: Econometric and cost-benefit analyses; Integration of environmental externalities; Drafting and submission of peer-reviewed articles.
Main achievements:
-Robust CBA model adapted to CSA in South Asia.
-Evidence-based conclusions on economic effectiveness.
-International conference presentations (e.g. Global Climate-Smart Agriculture Conference 2025).
WP5 – Communication and Dissemination
Work performed: Policy brief development; Conference presentations; Media engagement and public outreach; European Researchers’ Night participation.
Main achievements:
-Broad public and policy visibility.
-Policy-oriented manuscript (“From Practice to Policy”).
-Capacity building for at least 300 farmers.
-Strengthened EU–South Asia knowledge exchange.
WP1 – Desk Study, Training and Framework Development
Work performed: Comprehensive review of state-of-the-art literature; Training in environmental economics and externality valuation; Development of research and analytical framework.
Main achievements:
-Review paper on CSA and SDGs (under review).
-Strengthened methodological basis for cost-benefit integration of environmental externalities.
-Advanced training in climate and environmental economics.
WP2 – Fieldwork and CSA Prioritization
Work performed: Six participatory workshops in Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka; Stakeholder consultations; Identification and prioritization of high-value CSA practices; Externality-focused workshops in each country.
Main achievements:
-Participatory CSA prioritization framework.
-Journal manuscript on CSA prioritization (drafted).
-Engagement of farmers and institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and Janathakshan (Sri Lanka).
WP3 – Household Surveys and Data Collection
Work performed:100 smallholder farmers surveyed per country; Focus group discussions and participatory rural appraisals; Collection of cost, benefit, and externality data; Expert consultation workshops.
Main achievements:
-Unique cross-country micro-level dataset.
-Comprehensive valuation of private and external costs/benefits.
-Major scientific paper submitted to Frontiers in Environmental Economics.
WP4 – Data Analysis and Scientific Output
Work performed: Econometric and cost-benefit analyses; Integration of environmental externalities; Drafting and submission of peer-reviewed articles.
Main achievements:
-Robust CBA model adapted to CSA in South Asia.
-Evidence-based conclusions on economic effectiveness.
-International conference presentations (e.g. Global Climate-Smart Agriculture Conference 2025).
WP5 – Communication and Dissemination
Work performed: Policy brief development; Conference presentations; Media engagement and public outreach; European Researchers’ Night participation.
Main achievements:
-Broad public and policy visibility.
-Policy-oriented manuscript (“From Practice to Policy”).
-Capacity building for at least 300 farmers.
-Strengthened EU–South Asia knowledge exchange.
The project moved beyond existing research by:
-Integrating externalities into CSA cost–benefit analysis (rare in South Asia).
-Combining participatory prioritization with rigorous economic modeling.
-Providing cross-country comparative evidence.
-Addressing uncertainty in CSA investment decisions.
-Most prior studies focused on adoption rates rather than economic efficiency including environmental valuation.
1) Socio-Economic Impact
The project demonstrated that economically viable CSA:
Increases farm productivity and income.
Improves household food security.
Enhances access to finance via improved cost tracking.
Reduces livelihood vulnerability.
Strengthens climate resilience.
2)Wider Societal Implications
Empowerment of women and marginalized groups (≥50% inclusion in sampling).
Contribution to equitable social development.
Strengthened regional research capacity.
Public awareness on climate–agriculture linkages.
The fellow’s appointment as Coordinating Lead Author for the IPCC AR7 significantly increased global policy visibility.
-Integrating externalities into CSA cost–benefit analysis (rare in South Asia).
-Combining participatory prioritization with rigorous economic modeling.
-Providing cross-country comparative evidence.
-Addressing uncertainty in CSA investment decisions.
-Most prior studies focused on adoption rates rather than economic efficiency including environmental valuation.
1) Socio-Economic Impact
The project demonstrated that economically viable CSA:
Increases farm productivity and income.
Improves household food security.
Enhances access to finance via improved cost tracking.
Reduces livelihood vulnerability.
Strengthens climate resilience.
2)Wider Societal Implications
Empowerment of women and marginalized groups (≥50% inclusion in sampling).
Contribution to equitable social development.
Strengthened regional research capacity.
Public awareness on climate–agriculture linkages.
The fellow’s appointment as Coordinating Lead Author for the IPCC AR7 significantly increased global policy visibility.