To timely deliver agrometeorological products and services (information, warnings, and advisories) on climate related risk to agriculture and allied sectors Feedback and verification of the disseminated products and quantification of the benefits accrued from the usage of the products To provide scientific evidence to influence government policy formulation for incorporating climate information in agricultural decision making Anticipated Outcomes of this project The expected outcomes of this project include: At institutional level: Enhanced internal capacity of ICPAC to downscale, develop and disseminate agrometeorological products and services for improved climate risk reduction for agriculture production, food security and adaptation to climate variability and change for sustainable development in the Greater Horn of Africa sub region and to coordinate other agriculture/climate change programmes at ICPAC. At community level: Enhanced informed decision making by users for purposes of diversified livelihoods and improved food security among the vulnerable farming communities based on enhanced usage of climate forecast information in planning, management and operation of agricultural activities by crop farmers, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. Methods Brief Conducted baseline studies – to determined benchmark information in pilot sites Conducted needs assessment – to identify community priorities Conducted capacity building workshops at community level Interpreted, downscaled, packaged and disseminated seasonal weather forecasts and monthly & decadal updates including early warnings through workshops, use of an Internet Based SMS Broadcasting Program. The disseminated information package includes: Expected dates of onset Expected rainfall intensities & distribution (in time & space) Expected length of season (cessation dates) Expected climatic hazards (floods, hail storms, etc) during the season Developed agricultural and cross-cutting advisories based on the forecasted weather in a participatory manner and disseminated to the farmers. In turn, farmers use the information to make certain decisions like: Time of planting Types of inputs (crops, seed/varieties, fertilizer) to use Timing of management practices (weeding, top dressing, pest control, hilling up) Frequency of farm operations (for example weeding regimes) Relay cropping to utilise inter-season residual moisture Proper use of labour resources Proper storage practices Farmers conducted demonstrations of best practices using the information disseminated to them by the project Conducting continuous monitoring and evaluation of ongoing activities by project team
To timely deliver agrometeorological products and services (information, warnings, and advisories) on climate related risk to agriculture and allied sectors Feedback and verification of the disseminated products and quantification of the benefits accrued from the usage of the products To provide scientific evidence to influence government policy formulation for incorporating climate information in agricultural decision making Anticipated Outcomes of this project The expected outcomes of this project include: At institutional level: Enhanced internal capacity of ICPAC to downscale, develop and disseminate agrometeorological products and services for improved climate risk reduction for agriculture production, food security and adaptation to climate variability and change for sustainable development in the Greater Horn of Africa sub region and to coordinate other agriculture/climate change programmes at ICPAC. At community level: Enhanced informed decision making by users for purposes of diversified livelihoods and improved food security among the vulnerable farming communities based on enhanced usage of climate forecast information in planning, management and operation of agricultural activities by crop farmers, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. Methods Brief Conducted baseline studies – to determined benchmark information in pilot sites Conducted needs assessment – to identify community priorities Conducted capacity building workshops at community level Interpreted, downscaled, packaged and disseminated seasonal weather forecasts and monthly & decadal updates including early warnings through workshops, use of an Internet Based SMS Broadcasting Program. The disseminated information package includes: Expected dates of onset Expected rainfall intensities & distribution (in time & space) Expected length of season (cessation dates) Expected climatic hazards (floods, hail storms, etc) during the season Developed agricultural and cross-cutting advisories based on the forecasted weather in a participatory manner and disseminated to the farmers. In turn, farmers use the information to make certain decisions like: Time of planting Types of inputs (crops, seed/varieties, fertilizer) to use Timing of management practices (weeding, top dressing, pest control, hilling up) Frequency of farm operations (for example weeding regimes) Relay cropping to utilise inter-season residual moisture Proper use of labour resources Proper storage practices Farmers conducted demonstrations of best practices using the information disseminated to them by the project Conducting continuous monitoring and evaluation of ongoing activities by project team
ICPAC%20Kenya.docx