8 research outputs found
Training of Trainers Workshop on Enhancing Forecasting Capacities and Crop Capability Prediction Models and Tools - 2023
The detrimental impact of hydro-meteorological risks on agriculture frequently leads to food insecurity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Hence, the agriculture communities require climate-informed decision support tools that guide adaptation measures against climate change in the agriculture sector. The climate-informed crop capability prediction tool is one of these tools to benefit user community in making tactical and strategic decisions on inputs needed for agriculture and food security sectors as early as the crop-growing season. In this regard, regional partners1 commissioned a series of studies to develop a crop capacity
prediction tool in order to maximize agricultural productivity in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region while limiting the consequences of hydrometeorological risks on the food system. This tool can assist policymakers and user
communities in making decisions on the most up-to-date crop capability based on projected seasonal climate data. However, for this tool to be operationalized and bring maximum impacts, roving training of trainers (ToT) workshops are required for agricultural yield prediction users, seasonal climate forecast (SCF) providers, researchers, and academics. The first of such ToT workshops was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the second one in Maputo, Mozambique, from 2–5 May 2023. Around 30 professionals who came from the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), the Ministry of Agriculture (MADER), Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) and other relevant departments attended this session. This ToT workshop covered a wide range of topics, including providing a conceptual framework for the Climate Agriculture Modelling and Decision Tool (CAMDT) - Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) platform; the importance of seasonal climate forecast (SCF); a hands-on exercise in data management (quality control and missing values, as well as a specific template/format); data acquisition; model descriptions
(assumptions and uncertainties); and model analysis (simulation and validation). Participants' feedback indicated that the model and its outputs were successfully transferred, resulting in proficiency with the tool for future applications. They also thought
the training was extremely relevant and valuable to the user communities. Despite the availability of a user manual, participants preferred a simpler programme-assisted method so that individuals with less computer knowledge could run the model for immediate use and application. It was emphasized that complete implementation of the SFC-driven crop capability
prediction model and its timely deployment will result in large savings considering the vital role agriculture plays in the area. Participants recommended that the model be improved by including local circumstances and cultivars. However, for this capacity-building programme to be successful and have a lasting impact, it needs the full support of pertinent national and regional organizations, projects, and governments in the area. More resources are also required to guarantee that developers continued to engage in model improvement and skill transfer within SADC and beyond
Harnessing climate informed digital crop intelligence technologies is key to building the resilience of food systems against climate change in the SADC region
Climate-informed crop intelligence technologies are vital for building the resilience of food systems against the impacts of extremes in climate variation and climate change. As a result, agricultural policymakers, practitioners, and planners have used them to make tactical and strategic decisions, including estimating agricultural inputs needed months before the crop-growing season, selecting potential management practices, estimating crop performance and yields under various seasonal climate forecast scenarios, and providing anticipatory options against climate change. They may also be used in crop insurance evaluation schemes since they track real-time crop growth and estimate yield loss. Such tools are especially important in the SADC region, where severe weather and climate shocks have become more frequent and stronger in recent years, with catastrophic effects on livelihoods, food security, agriculture, human habitations, and ecosystems. As a result, the regional partners developed a user-friendly crop capability prediction tool and then conducted a series of capacity-building training in the SADC region. This capacity-building activity, however, requires the full cooperation of relevant national and regional organizations, initiatives, and governments in the region to be sustainable and have a long-term impact
Unrelenting catastrophic droughts and successive failed rainy seasons in the Greater Horn of Africa
▪ The Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) is one of the world's most negatively impacted regions by climatic extremes and changes affecting millions, including farmers and livestock keepers.
▪ Addressing the impacts of devastating extreme weather events, climate variabilities, and changes in GHoA require, among other things, strengthening Climate Information Services (CIS), including in terms of Anticipatory Action, Early Warning Systems (EWS), and preparedness and early action for climate-resilient development.
▪ Part of the recommendations and policy-related solutions to the devastating extreme weather events and climate crisis calls for countries to shift from delayed silos and reactive emergency management to proactive responses through effective joint investment, adoption, and implementation of multi-hazard early warning for all initiatives and programs aimed at enhanced regional preparedness and early action by the GHoA countries and the international development partners.
▪ These include: (i) Strengthening disaster risk knowledge and management, (ii) Enhancing infrastructure, human and technical capacity for observing, monitoring, analysing, and forecasting extreme weather and climate variability-related hazards, (iii) Improving communication and dissemination for better access, uptake, and use of a multi-hazard early warning, and (iv) Enhancing preparedness and coordinated early action by building regional, national, and community-level response capabilities of the GHoA countries.
▪ There is a clear and urgent need to protect the lives of millions of people, including smallholder farmers and livestock keepers, from extreme weather and the climate crisis in the GHoA region.
▪ National governments, regional climate centers, and international development partners should support the enhancement and sustainability of infrastructure, as well as human and technical expertise in the region to take advantage of the advances in science and technology (i.e., use of digital decision support tools, ICTs, and broadcast systems) to ensure the availability and accuracy of CIS and EWS for enhanced service delivery for all, preparedness and early action at the national and sub-national levels
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The first Forecasters Handbook for West Africa
Bridging the gap between rapidly moving scientific research and specific forecasting tools, Meteorology of Tropical West Africa: The Forecasters' Handbook’, gives unprecedented access to the latest science and combines this with pragmatic approaches to forecasting. It is set to change the way forecasters, researchers and students learn about tropical meteorology and will serve to drive demand for new forecasting tools. The Handbook builds upon the legacy of the AMMA project, making the latest science applicable to forecasting in the region. By bringing together, at the outset, researchers and forecasters from across the region, and linking to applications, user communities and decision-makers, the Forecasters’ Handbook provides a template for finding much needed solutions to critical issues such as building resilience to climate change in West Africa
Africa Climate Conference 2013: Addressing Priority Research Gaps to Inform Adaptation Decision-Making in Africa, Frontiers in African Climate Science Research and Applications
The Africa Climate Conference 2013, due to be held October 15-18, 2013 in Arusha (Tanzania), aims to narrow the communications gap currently existing between African decision-makers and climate scientists and to develop a coordinated collaborative research strategy to enhance climate science outputs so that they may better inform climate early warning responses and adaptation in Africa.
This document outlines, in the context of global climate initiatives, the key research frontiers for African climate that will be addressed. In a departure from usual practice, motivated by the imperative of ‘mainstreaming use of climate information in decision making’, research priorities are ordered according to their alignment with emerging priority needs for African users. As part of its activities the conference will review and validate these ‘frontier’ research priorities (see also the conference concept note)