Uptake and use of climate information services to enhance agriculture and food production among smallholder farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa region

Abstract

This study evaluates the contribution of climate information services (CIS) to agriculture and food production, and rural household incomes in selected Climate Change Adaptation in Africa projects in Eastern and Southern Africa region. It establishes the resilience of projects after completion; factors influencing the sustainable use of CIS in the project area and beyond; and the benefits of institutionalization of climate information services through organized groups and extension services. Existing project documents were reviewed; questionnaires and interviews conducted with farmers, field project officers and key informants to achieve the study objectives. The results showed that institutionalization of climate information services through organized groups such as farmer groups and extension services enhance climate resilient agriculture. Access, consistency, reliability and relevance of the climate information to farmers‟ needs were fundamental in integration of climate information into household decision making. Thus translation and communication of the seasonal forecasts in local languages empowers farmers to make informed farm management decisions. Use of CIS increases agricultural yields by between 5% to more than 75% and gender, age, education levels and household sizes influence the use of CIS in farm decisions. Therefore, investment in adult literacy and women involvement are key to use of CIS for increased productivity in Africa.