Agricultural extension and advisory services (EAS) is an umbrella term that refers to organizations, individuals and activities that supply information and services required by farmers and other agricultural actors to develop their own technical, organizational, and managerial capacities for livelihoods and well-being improvement. Public and private sector EAS are on the frontline in supporting smallholder farmers to adapt to the changing climate as they engage in field level activities and work closely with farmers to provide new technologies, technical information, knowledge, and skills, as well as linking them to other rural actors. EAS also work with policy makers and development program implementers to disseminate information about and put into practice new agricultural interventions, programs, and policies.

This evidence review examines existing literature to understand the roles and functions EAS play in supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation. The specific objectives of the evidence review are:

1. Identify, through a review of literature, the current state of support by EAS in helping smallholder farmers in low-income countries adapt to and mitigate climate change and promising advisory approaches used.

2. Document the preparedness of EAS organizations and individual providers to address climate change challenges.

3. Identify gaps that need to be addressed to develop climate-responsive EAS.

Identify policy issues that need to be addressed to facilitate EAS support for climate change adaptation and mitigation.