Addis Ababa, May 7, 2025 (FMC) – A regionally coordinated digital platform aimed at boosting agricultural resilience and climate adaptation has been officially launched by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) today, opening a new chapter in data-driven support for farmers and pastoralists across the Horn of Africa.
The Digital Agro-Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) Knowledge Network, introduced during a three-day regional meeting in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, is designed to provide real-time, location-specific climate and agricultural information. It will support informed decision-making on crop planning, pest and disease management, and sustainable resource use—particularly among smallholder producers in vulnerable areas.
It has been learned that DACAS will serve as a shared regional tool, linking national meteorological services, agricultural institutions, and research centers across IGAD Member States. Through this collaborative framework, countries including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda aim to enhance their collective ability to address the growing impacts of climate change on food systems.
The platform is part of IGAD’s broader Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) and is supported by the World Bank and the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA). The move builds on earlier regional consultations and reflects a consensus that digital tools are essential to bridging the gap between climate science and practical farming needs.
It was indicated during the discussions that the DACAS network will facilitate data sharing, technical cooperation, and peer learning across the region. It also aligns with national policies on climate adaptation, digital innovation, and rural development.
The meeting concluded today with the formal launch of the platform’s Terms of Reference and Action Plan, marking the beginning of its operational rollout. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration and investment to ensure that DACAS becomes a lasting pillar of agricultural resilience in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.