Agricultural Resilience
                      through Climate Services 

Background

Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa are predominantly reliant on rainfall for their agricultural activities. However, the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns due to climate change poses significant challenges. Farmers face heightened risks of agricultural shocks and potential poverty traps due to droughts, delayed rain onset, prolonged dry spells, and occasional flood rains.

Project Overview

This large-scale initiative aims to bolster the resilience and preparedness of smallholder farmers in the face of these climatic challenges. By forging a collaborative network, the project unites development organizations, national meteorological agencies from Ethiopia and Malawi, and researchers including climate scientists, anthropologists, economists, and political scientists. Our goal is to develop and implement tailored, fine-grained climate information services that directly benefit the farming communities.

Objectives and Implementation

The core objective of this project is to enhance the decision-making capabilities of farmers by providing them with precise and actionable climate-related information. By integrating scientific research with practical interventions, this project stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability in agricultural practices for Sub-Saharan Africa. It not only addresses the immediate challenges faced by smallholder farmers but also contributes to the long-term vision of creating resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding climatic uncertainties. This initiative involves:

• The development and dissemination of customized climate services tailored to the specific needs of the farmers in Ethiopia and Malawi.

• Rigorous testing of the impact of these services on key metrics such as food security, agricultural income, and overall resilience against climatic anomalies.

In partnership with the Development Fund, the project will also emphasize the enhancement of monitoring practices for development indicators. This collaboration aims to ensure that the interventions are responsive and adaptive to the evolving needs of the smallholder farmers.

Research and Impact Evaluation: 

A comprehensive research framework will accompany the implementation phases to assess both the immediate and long-term impacts of the climate services. Key focus areas include:

• Short-term outcomes: Modifications in agricultural decisions and immediate yield results.

• Long-term outcomes: Sustainable improvements in food security, income stability, and resilience.

This research aims to generate critical evidence that can guide civil society organizations, policymakers, and funders in making informed decisions about scaling up climate service initiatives across the region.