It is generally understood that agricultural development based on policy and interventions that consider both national goals and regional (sub-national) needs is likely to improve farmers’ livelihoods at present. Here, we share findings on tools and methods that can help decision and policy makers discern policies and interventions to offset negative impacts with climate change. In particular, a ‘Sustainable Development’ pathway that was assessed in Ghana, Senegal, and Zimbabwe provided higher benefits to farmers and made the system more resilient to climate change through increased farm net returns, and decreased poverty and food insecurity rates. Further, we find that the tools and methods can also be applied in the interest of more equitable implementation of agricultural development strategies to ensure that all farmers, even the lesser resourced, will benefit.