%0 Journal Article
%@ 1473-5903
%A Zougmore, R B
%A Partey, S T
%A Totin, E
%A Ouedraogo, M
%A Thornton, P
%A Karbo, N
%A Sogoba, B
%A Dieye, B
%A Campbell, B M
%D 2019
%F icrisat:11324
%I Taylor & Francis
%J International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability(TSI)
%K Climate change, Policy, Institution, Partnership, Knowledge, Capacity Building, Climate-smart  agriculture, West Africa
%N 5
%P 367-382
%T Science-policy interfaces for sustainable climate-smart agriculture uptake: lessons learnt from national science-policy dialogue platforms in West Africa
%U http://oar.icrisat.org/11324/
%V 17
%X Connecting science with policy has always been challenging for both scientists and policymakers. In Ghana, Mali and Senegal, multi-stakeholder national science-policy  dialogue platforms on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) were setup to use scientific evidence to create awareness of climate change impacts on agriculture and  advocate for the mainstreaming of climate change and CSA into agricultural development plans. Based on the platforms’ operations and achievements, we used  semi-structured questionnaire interviews and reviewed technical reports produced by the platforms to analyse how their modes of operation and achievements improve understanding of the science-policy interfaces between agricultural and climate change decision making. Results showed that these platforms constitute an innovative approach to effectively engaging decision-makers and sustainably mainstreaming climate change into development plans. Effective science-policy interaction requires: (a) institutionalizing dialogue platforms by embedding them  within national institutions, which improves their credibility, relevance and legitimacy among policymakers; (b) two-way communication, which contributes  substantially to the co-development of solutions that address climate change vulnerabilities and impacts; and (c) relevant communication products and packaging of evidence that aligns with country priorities, which facilitates its uptake in policy-making processes. We conclude with a framework of sustainable operation for such platforms based on lessons learnt in the three countries.
%Z The authors are very grateful to all platform members in the  three countries for their endless commitment. This work was  implemented as part of the CGIAR Research Program on  Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), a strategic partnership of CGIAR and Future Earth, led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). We  acknowledge the CGIAR Fund Council, Australia (ACIAR), European Union, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Ireland, New Zealand, Netherlands, Switzerland, USAID, UK and Thailand, for funding to CCAFS.