Driving the Implementation of Good Agricultural Practices in Rice Cultivation along the Northern Coast of Peru

Within the preparation of the full funding proposal for the project "Promoting the Implementation of Good Practices in Rice Cultivation in the Northern Coast of Peru, including the Alternate Wetting and Drying Method (SRI/SICA)", AAE was contracted to carry out four specialized technical consultancies. These components reinforce the national, regional, and district climate rationale by providing detailed evidence on how rice productivity and target populations are affected by historical hazards and future climate scenarios, while demonstrating the environmental, social, economic, and institutional viability of scaling up sustainable rice production.

1. Climate Vulnerability and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Assessment
AAE developed the technical evidence underpinning the project’s climate rationale (GCF Annex 2) and mitigation impact potential (GCF Annex 14). Grounded in the IPCC AR6 risk framework and GCF Decision B.33/12, the team evaluated historical damages and climate losses in Piura, Lambayeque, and La Libertad, analyzed projected hazard scenarios on crop yields, and conducted multidimensional vulnerability assessments of family farming communities. In addition, AAE estimated methane (\\(CH_4\\)) emissions reductions achieved through intermittent drying (SRI/SICA) against baseline practices and designed the corresponding MRV protocol aligned with Peru's Infocarbono system.

2. Pre-Feasibility and Economic & Financial Analysis (EFA) 
This component established the technical and economic viability of scaling up the SRI/SICA method to justify GCF concessional financing (GCF Annex 10). AAE modeled production costs, yield differentials, water and energy savings, and operational externalities across traditional flooding versus intermittent drying systems. Through cash-flow modeling, sensitivity testing, market benchmarking, and scenario comparisons (with and without GCF support), the analysis calculated the Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and payback periods for small and medium producers.

3. Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP)
To ensure transparent governance and participatory ownership, AAE designed and delivered a consolidated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). The team mapped institutional and grassroots stakeholders and facilitated participatory diagnostic workshops and surveys across Piura, Lambayeque, and La Libertad. The analysis established baseline assessments on producer associativity levels, water governance and irrigation boards, existing agricultural credit programs, financial literacy needs, and regional technical cooperation with the Multinational SRI/SICA Commission.

4. Gender Assessment and Gender Action Plan (GAP) 
AAE formulated the comprehensive Gender Assessment and Gender Action Plan (GCF Annex 4), aligned with GCF gender policy standards and Peru’s National Gender Equality Policy. Based on field consultations and secondary evidence, the study identified structural barriers, time use, division of labor, and resource access constraints facing women in the northern rice value chain. The resulting Action Plan defines affirmative activities, gender-sensitive indicators, and institutional strengthening measures integrated directly into the project's logical framework and budget.