African climate negotiators are preparing to push for increased and more accessible climate finance for agriculture at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), arguing that current funding levels are insufficient to protect farmers and strengthen food security.

Stephen Muwaya of the Africa Group of Negotiators said climate finance for agriculture remains limited, despite the sector’s importance to livelihoods, climate adaptation and food production.

According to Muwaya, the share of climate-related development finance allocated to food systems fell from 47% in 2000 to 19% in 2023, while international climate finance directed towards agriculture accounts for 4% or less. He added that only 0.3% of total financing reaches farmers, pastoralists and other vulnerable groups.

Speaking during a cross-border climate change media café organised by Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA), Muwaya said insufficient funding and limited capacity continue to prevent climate policies from translating into practical support for farming communities.

Focus on Implementation and Funding Access

At COP31, African negotiators will seek stronger implementation of the Sharm El-Sheikh Joint Work on Agriculture (SJWA), a four-year process established at COP27 to advance climate action on agriculture and food security.

The initiative aims to improve coordination between countries, UN climate bodies, financial institutions and other organisations, while promoting knowledge-sharing, technical assistance and the exchange of effective agricultural practices.

Muwaya said the priority is to move beyond discussions and policy commitments towards tangible action on the ground.

Implementation mechanisms include annual synthesis reports, an online information-sharing portal and workshops that help countries identify challenges and coordinate responses.

The portal is expected to play an important role in connecting national agricultural priorities with funding opportunities, technical expertise and potential partners. National climate commitments, adaptation plans and technology needs assessments must be translated into investment plans and projects that can attract financing.

African negotiators will also call for increased, predictable and accessible climate finance, particularly grants and concessional funding for adaptation in vulnerable developing countries.

Muwaya said simplifying accreditation procedures for national institutions would help improve access to international climate funds. Greater readiness support and assistance with project preparation would also help countries develop investment-ready proposals addressing agricultural and food security needs.

Expanding Access to Climate-Smart Agriculture

Access to appropriate technology is another priority for African negotiators. Muwaya said high upfront costs, limited financing and insurance, weak enabling environments and intellectual property restrictions can prevent farmers from adopting available solutions.

Technologies and practices requiring greater support include climate-resilient crop production, sustainable water management, digital agriculture, climate information services, sustainable land management, mechanisation, improved post-harvest handling and agroprocessing.

Making these solutions accessible will require affordable finance, insurance, technical assistance and stronger support systems for farmers. Muwaya also emphasised the importance of incorporating farmers’ experiences and indigenous knowledge alongside scientific research and new technologies.

Negotiators will further promote integrated approaches to climate action across farms and landscapes. These include climate-smart agriculture, agroecology, nature-based solutions, sustainable land management and integrated crop-livestock systems.

The approach must also ensure that climate mitigation measures do not undermine food production, food security or the interests of poorer communities.

Turning Climate Plans into Investment Projects

Muwaya said the agricultural climate portal should help bridge the gap between national commitments and implementation by matching proposed projects with available finance, technical support and partnerships.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), national adaptation plans and technology needs assessments must be translated into locally relevant priorities and viable investment projects, he said.

The portal could also strengthen South–South, North–South and triangular cooperation, enabling countries to exchange knowledge, develop partnerships and mobilise additional technical and financial support.

For African agriculture, the central challenge remains ensuring that climate finance reaches the communities facing the greatest risks. Negotiators are expected to use COP31 to press for funding arrangements that are more accessible to national institutions and farmers, helping turn climate commitments into practical improvements in agricultural resilience and food security.