The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc in Eastern Africa Wednesday launched a new regionally coordinated digital platform designed to enhance agricultural resilience and climate adaptation across the Horn of Africa.
The platform, known as the Digital Agro-Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) Knowledge Network, is set to revolutionize data-driven support for farmers and pastoralists in the region.
Introduced during a three-day regional meeting held in Bishoftu town of Ethiopia, the DACAS Knowledge Network will provide real-time, location-specific climate and agricultural information.
DACAS aims to empower smallholder producers in vulnerable areas with the knowledge needed for informed decision-making on critical aspects such as crop planning, pest and disease management, and the sustainable use of resources.
It is also envisioned as a shared regional tool, fostering collaboration by linking national meteorological services, agricultural institutions, and research centers across IGAD’s member states. Countries including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda are expected to leverage this framework to collectively strengthen their capacity to tackle the increasing impacts of climate change on their food systems.
The platform is a component of IGAD’s broader Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) and receives support from the World Bank and the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project.
Its establishment follows prior regional consultations that underscored the vital role of digital technologies in bridging the gap between climate science and the practical needs of farming communities.
It is learned that the DACAS network will facilitate essential data sharing, technical cooperation, and peer learning among member states.
The initiative also aligns seamlessly with national policies on climate adaptation, digital innovation, and rural development.
MG/as/APA