Building adaptive capacity to cope with increasing vulnerability due to climate change

The project objective was to develop educational curricula and research and extension competencies of present and future scientists to better assist farmers identify technology options that enhance their adaptive capacity to cope with risks and opportunities associated with climate change and variability. Research conducted by five PhD itwo women) and four MPhils (one woman) students contributed to project outputs. Baselme data to describe cropping system and management tinder current climate variability and farmer perceptions about climate change across 4 districts of Zimbabwe and Zambia was collected and analysed. Indigenous knowledge of climate and indicators to seasonal conditions were also documented and compared with scientific forecasts. Seven workshops were held to educate farmers and extension agents on interpretation of the Seasonal Climate Forecast (SCF) and explore together its application in making cropping decisions. Management options in response to the SCF were then tested in participatory on-farm trials. Most smallholder farmers (at 3 of the 4 sites) were not aware of the existence of the SCF. However, in both seasons the farmers' prediction of seasonal climate was consistent with that from the meteorological department. Engaging smallholder farmers with SCF assists them in making investment decisions on crop management options and in particular. on-fann trial results showed that fanners could derive reliable and substantial benefit from the SCF us decisions related to fertility input levels. The project demonstrated that fainter uptake and use of SC F benefits from an extended participatory approach that provides timely access and interpretation of the SC F. experimentation, monitoring and a post mortem of results which enhances farmer ownerslup and adoption after the project

Building adaptive capacity to cope with increasing vulnerability due to climate change

The project objective was to develop educational curricula and research and extension competencies of present and future scientists to better assist farmers identify technology options that enhance their adaptive capacity to cope with risks and opportunities associated with climate change and variability. Research conducted by five PhD itwo women) and four MPhils (one woman) students contributed to project outputs. Baselme data to describe cropping system and management tinder current climate variability and farmer perceptions about climate change across 4 districts of Zimbabwe and Zambia was collected and analysed. Indigenous knowledge of climate and indicators to seasonal conditions were also documented and compared with scientific forecasts. Seven workshops were held to educate farmers and extension agents on interpretation of the Seasonal Climate Forecast (SCF) and explore together its application in making cropping decisions. Management options in response to the SCF were then tested in participatory on-farm trials. Most smallholder farmers (at 3 of the 4 sites) were not aware of the existence of the SCF. However, in both seasons the farmers' prediction of seasonal climate was consistent with that from the meteorological department. Engaging smallholder farmers with SCF assists them in making investment decisions on crop management options and in particular. on-fann trial results showed that fanners could derive reliable and substantial benefit from the SCF us decisions related to fertility input levels. The project demonstrated that fainter uptake and use of SC F benefits from an extended participatory approach that provides timely access and interpretation of the SC F. experimentation, monitoring and a post mortem of results which enhances farmer ownerslup and adoption after the project

Building adaptive capacity to cope with increasing vulnerability due to climate change : final technical report - Zimbabwe (30 September 2010)

Baseline data to describe cropping system and management under current climate variability and farmer perceptions about climate change across 4 districts of Zimbabwe and Zambia was collected and analyzed. Indigenous knowledge of climate and indicators to seasonal conditions were also documented and compared with scientific forecasts. Prediction of seasonal climate was consistent with that from the meteorological department. Seven workshops were held to educate farmers and extension agents on interpretation of the Seasonal Climate Forecast (SCF) and explore together its application in making cropping decisions. Management options in response to the SCF were then tested in participatory on-farm trials

Use of indigenous knowledge systems and scientific methods for climate forecasting in Southern Zambia and North Western Zimbabwe

The semi-arid areas of Southern Africa receive low and erratic rainfall which varies in both seasons and from year to year resulting in food insecurity. Few of the smallholder farmers have access to seasonal climate forecasts from the meteorological department hence they depend mostly on their indigenous knowledge systems for forecasting seasons which they make use of to develop crop management adaptive strategies. The study shows that farmers have several indicators for weather forecasting and some of these are similar in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Some of these indicators include; floods or excessive rains in the preceding season, strong winds around October, an extended cold season that goes up to August and sometimes September and abundance or scarcity of certain fruits. The indicators conflict in some seasons and in such cases the farmers resort to using those that they know to have stronger signals from their reliability factors. Positive relationship between indigenous knowledge systems and modern science were observed between the 2008/9 season and 2009/10 which confirms that indigenous knowledge systems, when fully developed could be very helpful in seasonal forecasting. The study recommends the importance of the restoration of the confidence of the indigenous people in their traditional knowledge and skills of weather forecasting

Building adaptive capacity to cope with increasing vulnerability due to climate change

The project objective was to develop educational curricula and research and extension competencies of present and future scientists to better assist farmers identify technology options that enhance their adaptive capacity to cope with risks and opportunities associated with climate change and variability. Research conducted by five PhD itwo women) and four MPhils (one woman) students contributed to project outputs. Baselme data to describe cropping system and management tinder current climate variability and farmer perceptions about climate change across 4 districts of Zimbabwe and Zambia was collected and analysed. Indigenous knowledge of climate and indicators to seasonal conditions were also documented and compared with scientific forecasts. Seven workshops were held to educate farmers and extension agents on interpretation of the Seasonal Climate Forecast (SCF) and explore together its application in making cropping decisions. Management options in response to the SCF were then tested in participatory on-farm trials. Most smallholder farmers (at 3 of the 4 sites) were not aware of the existence of the SCF. However, in both seasons the farmers' prediction of seasonal climate was consistent with that from the meteorological department. Engaging smallholder farmers with SCF assists them in making investment decisions on crop management options and in particular. on-fann trial results showed that fanners could derive reliable and substantial benefit from the SCF us decisions related to fertility input levels. The project demonstrated that fainter uptake and use of SC F benefits from an extended participatory approach that provides timely access and interpretation of the SC F. experimentation, monitoring and a post mortem of results which enhances farmer ownerslup and adoption after the project