Agricultural vulnerability to changing rainfall patterns: Assessing the role of smallholder farmers’ perceptions and access to weather forecast information in adaptation-decision making : case study of the North-Western provinces, Rwanda

Adverse weather is currently among the crucial challenges facing agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa. With climate change and variability increasing, rainy seasons are becoming more and more unpredictable. Heavy rainfalls and severe flooding have increased, affecting smallholder farming and rural livelihoods considerably. Using qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection, this study aimed at exploring climate change adaptation strategies in North-Western Rwanda, by assessing the role of smallholder farmers’ perceptions on the vulnerability of their farming to changing rainfall patterns, while also analysing the factors influencing the adoption and use of weather forecast information in adaptation-decision-making. I used two different theoretical approaches to analyse the research questions: The ‘’Protection Motivation Theory’’ to study how smallholder farmers’ perceptions on the farming vulnerability to changing rainfall patterns shape coping mechanisms and adaptive strategies, and the ‘’Diffusion of Innovations’’ theory to investigate the role of weather forecast information in adaption-decision making. Results indicated that a high level of awareness of climate threats, of the causes of climate change and coping measures, can be important drivers of the adaptation decisions that can contribute to a well-timed anticipation and preparedness against climate threats. The results also suggest that the adoption and use of weather forecast information in farm-decision making depend much on the accuracy and content of information, communication channels, farmers’ digital literacy and forecast skills. The study recommends that the formulation of better adaptation strategies should base their interventions on farmers’ perceptions and knowledge and integrate it with the weather forecast information

CTA Project Completion Report: ICT Update

The ICT Update magazine has been running for over 20 years, originating as an e-mail newsletter, and developing into a print magazine and website. Since 2018 a number of changes were implemented, and 12 issues have been produced in English and in French. A number of activities were undertaken to make the magazine more cost effective and more inclusive

CTA Project Completion Report: Data4Ag

This project is based on a request from the Pan African Farmers Organisation members developed during the succession of continental briefings examining their capacity building needs and policy issues between 2012 and 2016 in the following steps: Using a discussion forum amongst the more than 200 members, they identified a number of successful farmers organisations requiring support for capacity development. A study was then carried out by the ZED group together with a further e-discussion to establish the needs to improve financial management. This identified the need for data to improve access to finance in terms of credit, but also to ensure access to insurance. At the fourth Continental Briefing, the PAFO identified the need to upport data driven farming within the farmers organisations and the new opportunities offered by different sustainable models like precision agriculture. To ensure coverage across Africa the Regional Farmers Organisations were approached to propose further cases to ensure activities in each region. Several services were considered for support during the data4ag project: • Membership registration covering data take-on with mobile phone details so that farmers can update and receive further information through SMS services. The Farmers organisation can view this data through the Web, and download information locally and view dashboards of the information online. • GPS mapping. This involves geolocation of farms and potential boundary mapping. • Strategic development advice.Consultancy support to develop membership services can be provided for software development and data ownership agreements • Data take-on agents. Financial support to hire short-term agents to assist with initial registration and promotion of services