scholarly journals The role of farmers and organizational networks in climate information communication: the case of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chidiebere Ofoegbu ◽  
Mark New
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
National Level ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Collaboration Network ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Climate Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Organizational Collaboration

Purpose The nature of the collaborations that exists among the organizations in the climate change and agriculture sectors can influence the tailoring of climate forecasts into information useable for adapting agricultural practices to the risks posed by climate change. Also, the extent to which farmers are integrated into this organizational collaboration network can influence their access to climate information. This paper aims to examine how organizational collaborations in the process of climate information generation and dissemination acts as either barriers or enablers of farmers’ access to and use of climate information in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This study used key informant interview and questionnaire survey to interview the organizations in the climate change and agriculture sectors. Using network analysis as an analytical framework, the authors estimated the networks’ core-periphery, density, reciprocity and degree centrality. Findings The authors observed that communication of climate information to farmers is mostly influenced by the collaborations between governmental organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Nevertheless, information flow and exchange through organizational collaboration network is having limited effect on improving farmers’ knowledge about climate risks, impacts and available risk response options. This is mostly because the feedback flow of information from farmers to national level organizations has not been effective in addressing localized climate/agro challenges. Originality/value This paper provides a critical overview of key issues in influencing the relevancy and usefulness of climate information in the Ghanaian agriculture sector. Insights gained and recommendations made are essential for deploying effective climate services in Ghana and can be relevant for many African countries because of similar socioeconomic contexts.

ENACTS: Transforming Climate Services Across Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tufa Dinku
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
National Level ◽  
Columbia University ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Climate Services ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Institutional Infrastructure ◽  
International Research Institute ◽  
Information Products

<p>Despite recent and mostly global efforts to promote climate services in developing countries, Africa still faces significant limitations in its institutional infrastructure and capacity to develop, access, and use decision-relevant climate data and information products at multiple levels of governance. The Enhancing National Climate Services (ENACTS) initiative, led by Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society, strives to overcome these challenges by targeting the way climate-sensitive decisions are made at the local, regional, and national levels. The ENACTS approach is executed by working directly with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) to build capacity for improving the availability, access, and use of quality climate data and information products at relevant spatial and temporal scales. The ENACTS approach has shown to be an effective means to transform decision-making surrounding vulnerabilities and risks at both national and local scales in over a dozen countries at the national level as well as at regional level East and West Africa. In the ENACTS approach, challenges to the availability of climate data are alleviated by combining quality-controlled station observations with global proxies to generate spatially and temporally complete climate datasets. Access to climate information is enhanced by developing an online mapping service that provides a user-friendly interface for analyzing and visualizing climate information products. Use of the generated climate data and the derived information products are promoted through raising awareness in relevant communities, training users, and co-production processes.</p>

Climate change and the African livestock sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shepherd Muchuru ◽  
Godwell Nhamo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Literature Survey ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Livestock Sector

Purpose This paper aims to investigate and review adaptation measures in the livestock sector from 21 African countries through literature survey and grounded theory approaches. The adaptation themes that emerged captured essence of measures and experience drawn from varied country submissions and contexts instituted to make the livestock sector climate compatible in as far as adaptation is concerned. Design/methodology/approach Literature survey approach was used on the impacts of climate change on livestock and a review of the submitted adaptation measures. The study used grounded theory approach to derive meaning from the retrieved information. The grounded theory was derived inductively through systematic collection and analysis of data pertaining to the submitted National Communications reports. The retrieved themes were then examined and interpreted to give meaning and draw conclusions through coding, conceptualizing, categorizing and theorizing. Findings Results identify eight adaptation themes: carrying capacity and policies; integrated pasture management; capacity building, extension, training, awareness and information sharing; livestock breeding, diversification and intensification; disease, vectors and parasites management; technology, innovation, research and development; alternative livelihood; and water supply. The findings show that African Governments have been implementing effective adaptation measures for food security through building a climate resilient livestock production system. Originality/value This study is one of the first to lead to recommendations that decision- and policymakers, private sectors, relevant stakeholders and government officials and scientists should play a key role in ensuring that adaptation measures reach farmers, herders at grassroots level. In addition, governments should create an enabling environment (policies) in climate change adaptation to improve food security. These recommendations might be helpful in many communities where adaptation to climate change is a pressing issue.

scholarly journals Issues in Climate Smart Agriculture in Southeastern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 190-200
Author(s):  
E. O. Okoro ◽  
V. U. Okwu- Delunzu ◽  
C. S. Ofordu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
Southeastern Nigeria ◽  
Climate Services ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Negative Implication ◽  
The Impact

Farming is a prime livelihood activity of people of Southeast (SE) Nigeria. In the age of climate change, farmers have to cope with highly variable, short and unpredicted rainfall to sustain their enterprise. This study reviews the effects of climate change on agriculture production, identifies farmer's views on the impact of climate change on crop production in the southeast, reviews the adoption of CSA in Nigeria and identifies the importance of climate information service in agriculture in Southeast Nigeria. From the review, farmers within the SE are aware of climate change and they have adopted improved innovative strategies to adapt to the negative implication associated with climate change and variability but more awareness is needed in the area of climate information services (CIS) to assist them to cope better. Therefore, this study recommends the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach to educate farmers more on how to manage their enterprise in the face of climate change and variability.

'Paris rules' will drive global climate progress

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
National Level ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Growth Prospects ◽  
The Impact

Significance COP22 has been dubbed "the COP of action, adaptation and Africa". It is a key opportunity to build confidence in the system of global cooperation adopted at the Paris Climate Conference. The Paris meeting ushered in a new framework for cooperation on climate change based on voluntary emissions reductions targets that will be jointly reviewed every five years. Negotiators gathering in Marrakech for COP22 face the task of making the Paris Agreement work -- and delivering results on a sufficiently large scale. Impacts Cooperation under the Paris framework will help reduce climate change effects, though overshooting of the 2 degree target is inevitable. The Paris deal's reliance on peer pressure and self-policing will risk national-level backsliding during the implementation process. Actions taken in the next ten years will determine the impact of climate change on global growth prospects for the whole of this century.

Understanding national barriers to climate change adaptation for public health: a mixed-methods survey of national public health representatives

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-306
Author(s):  
Hannah Marcus ◽  
Liz Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
National Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
National Public Health

PurposeTo uncover the major government constraints to enactment and implementation of public health-targeted climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies in order to equip public health stakeholders and health advocates with the knowledge resources necessary to more effectively mobilize and support CCA for public health responses at the national level.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods online survey was distributed to the representatives of national public health associations and societies of 82 countries. The survey comprised 15 questions assessing national progress on CCA for public health and the effects of various institutional, economic/financial, technical and sociopolitical barriers on national adaptive capacity.FindingsSurvey responses from 11 countries indicated that national commitments to CCA for public health have increased markedly since prior assessments but significant shortcomings remain. The largest apparent barriers to progress in this domain were poor government coordination, lack of political will and inadequate adaptation finances.Originality/valueThis study is unique in relation to the prior literature on the topic in that it effectively captures an array of country-specific yet cross-cutting adaptation constraints across diverse national contexts. With a deepened understanding of the major determinants of national adaptive capacity, international actors can devise more effective, evidence-informed strategies to support national governments in responding to the health impacts of climate change.

Farmcrowdy: digital business model innovation for farming in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Kwaku Atuahene-Gima ◽  
Joshua Amuzu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Model Innovation ◽  
Background Information ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Business World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Learning outcomes The Farmcrowdy case pursues the following aims: familiarizing students with the concept of business models for agricultural businesses and explaining the key decisions and activities within a business model; recognizing different opportunities for business model innovation by farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector; identifying concepts and tools from the business world that can be used in farming and other agribusiness-related ventures; highlighting opportunities for agribusiness firms to engage in business model innovation; and developing a business model canvas that highlights key components of a business model. Case overview/synopsis Agriculture stands as the leading driver of economies in most African countries. Most people depend on this sector directly or indirectly for their livelihoods on a daily basis. However, due to challenges like climate change and its variability, high initial startups capital, poor pricing, pest attacks, among other factors, people are gradually opting out of this sector. This has implications for employment, food and human security issues for farmers, their families and the society at large. Individual farmers that opt to remain in this sector are often met with challenges accessing technology in adapting to the challenges aforementioned. This decreases their resilience to the impact of climate change and its variability, pest and disease attack, securing loans to expand farming operations, among others. This raises the risks associated with investment in this sector as one cannot be assured of a fixed return on investment at the end of each crop cycle. Investors who opted to manage this risk associated with investment in the agriculture sector had challenges getting an official database of farmers to invest in as well as knowing whether individual farmers are experienced enough and committed to fixed agreements. It is against this backdrop that Onyeka Akumah founded Farmcrowdy in Nigeria with the aim of empowering farmers and connecting investors to right farmers with an assured return on investment at the end of every crop growing or animal-rearing season using online technological packages. The Farmcrowdy business model allowed Nigerians to venture into farming and other agricultural ventures at the touch of a button while empowering local farmers and boosting food production, creating employment for all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain. With ensuing challenges and competitors in the agro-technological industry, Farmcrowdy aims at extending their business model to other West African countries like Ghana. A few suggestions are made to help improve Farmcrowdy business model. First, they can add novel activities to the business model. Second, they can change one or more parties that perform business model activities. Finally, they can link business model activities in new ways like the development of model farms as a training ground for new farmers and the development of a go-back-to nature campaign to end-users of the products from farms. This case can be used by different audiences. The case can be used for teaching students at the graduate level, especially in the development of executive courses on innovation and entrepreneurship, strategy, agricultural technology and innovation. A wealth of supporting materials is available to the Professor, including videos and background information. Complexity academic level PhD, Doctor of Business Administration, Executive MBA Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship

scholarly journals The effect of climate information in pastoralists’ adaptation to climate change

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Nkuba ◽  
Raban Chanda ◽  
Gagoitseope Mmopelwa ◽  
Edward Kato ◽  
Margaret Najjingo Mangheni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pastoral Households

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of using indigenous forecasts (IFs) and scientific forecasts (SFs) on pastoralists’ adaptation methods in Rwenzori region, Western Uganda. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a household survey from 270 pastoralists and focus group discussions. The multivariate probit model was used in the analysis. Findings The results revealed that pastoralists using of IF only more likely to be non-farm enterprises and livestock sales as adaptation strategies. Pastoralists using both SF and IF were more likely to practise livestock migration. Research limitations/implications Other factors found to be important included land ownership, land tenure, gender, education level, non-farm and productive assets, climate-related risks and agricultural extension access. Practical implications Increasing the number of weather stations in pastoral areas would increase the predictive accuracy of scientific climate information, which results in better adaptive capacity of pastoralists. Active participation of pastoral households in national meteorological dissemination processes should be explored. Social implications A two-prong approach that supports both mobile and sedentary pastoralism should be adopted in rangeland development policies. Originality/value This study has shown the relevance of IFs in climate change adaptation methods of pastoralists. It has also shown that IFs compliment SFs in climate change adaptation in pastoralism.

scholarly journals Implications of transforming climate change risks into security risks

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 460-477
Author(s):  
Ksenia Chmutina ◽  
Peter Fussey ◽  
Andrew Dainty ◽  
Lee Bosher
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Political Action ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
National Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change Risks ◽  
The Uk

Purpose A number of severe weather events have influenced a shift in UK policy concerning how climate-induced hazards are managed. Whist this shift has encouraged improvements in emergency management and preparedness, the risk of climate change is increasingly becoming securitised within policy discourses, and enmeshed with broader agendas traditionally associated with human-induced threats. Climate change is seen as a security risk because it can impede development of a nation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of the securitisation of climate change, and interrogates how such framings influence a range of conceptual and policy focused approaches towards both security and climate change. Design/methodology/approach Drawing upon the UK context, the paper uses a novel methodological approach combining critical discourse analysis and focus groups with security experts and policymakers. Findings The resulting policy landscape appears inexorably skewed towards short-term decision cycles that do little to mitigate longer-term threats to the nation’s assets. Whilst a prominent political action on a global level is required in order to mitigate the root causes (i.e. GHG emissions), national level efforts focus on adaptation (preparedness to the impacts of climate-induced hazards), and are forming part of the security agenda. Originality/value These issues are not restricted to the UK: understanding the role of security and its relationship to climate change becomes more pressing and urgent, as it informs the consequences of securitising climate change risks for development-disaster risk system.

scholarly journals Gender in the nationally determined contributions of African countries: a way forward for effective implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Remteng ◽  
Johnson Nkem ◽  
Linus Mofor ◽  
James Murombedzi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Change Scenario ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Nationally Determined Contributions ◽  
Climatic Risks ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

Purpose This paper aims to provide an analysis of gender strategies in the planning, programmes towards the implementation of Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It involved the identification and disaggregation of climate risks on women key climate affected sectors (water, energy, agriculture, health, energy). Design/methodology/approach This involves review of vast scholarly and academic research, to establishment of linkages and interlinkages between the risks. A diagnostic analysis was done on the NDCs to understand the orientation of gender considerations in the NDCs of African countries, and then an assessment on emerging opportunities and empowerment of women to address climate change was carried out as an un-detachable component of gender considerations. Findings Poverty, cultural barriers and inequality, climatic risks such as floods, occurrence of infectious diseases and water scarcity create life threatening situations for women as well as their livelihood Analysis on the NDCs (and INDCs) of all African countries show that over 85% of actions reference gender. At the regional level West Africa has the highest gender actions in their NDCs (41%), East Africa 25%, Southern Africa 15%, Central Africa 8% and North Africa 6%. The coping responses of women, their knowledge about the environment and the environmental services they offer, provide great opportunities for them in the climate change scenario which is seldom spoken about. Empowerment of women by providing access to Information, education, training; sensitization on various facets of climate change; the risks, consequences, possible sustainable solutions (Adaptation and mitigation) and their basic rights especially with regards to land and ownership is necessary, and can help reduce the climatic risks they face. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this study was time constraint as the research was done during my fellowship at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa which was a short period in relation to the fact that the authors were assigned to other duties. Practical implications Though most African countries are making an effort towards gender integration in their NDCs, they need to carry out systematic gender analysis; collecting and using sex-disaggregated data; establishing gender-sensitive benchmarks and indicators; and developing practical tools to support increased attention to gender perspectives. Social implications Climate change is a serious threat to humanity and views from mostly those affected indicates that there is still a big disconnect between the ambitious agendas set by various stakeholders involved (International organizations, governments and regional organizations), and the real grassroots initiatives, actions and programs being implemented in the ground. There is also inarguably increasing evidence that climate change is amplifying gender inequality, the vulnerability of women and children; consequently, a serious barrier to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, UN 2030 Sustainable development goals, the 2063 Africa Union Agenda. Originality/value Though there exist many research papers on climate and gender and also on NDCs, creating a link between gender risks and climate policies, strategies and programs gives the issue of gender and climate change “high importance”. An integrated approach on identifying the risks makes policies coherent.

scholarly journals Do better agricultural extension and climate information sources enhance adaptive capacity? A micro-level assessment of farm households in rural India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandan Kumar Jha ◽  
Vijaya Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Different Sources

Purpose The farmers used several information sources to gather information about the climatic variability and modern agricultural practices to cope with climate change. The choice of adaptation strategies and the successful implication of adaptation strategies depend on accurate, timely information on the climate variability and precise technical details of adaptation strategies. By keeping the importance of climate information and agricultural extension information in the center, this study aims to conduct a micro-level evaluation of farmers’ choice of climate information, agriculture extension services and agricultural credit sources. This study’s primary objective is to understand how the different sources of climate information and agricultural extension influence farm household adaptation decisions. Design/methodology/approach This study has been conducted in three subs agro-climatic zone of the Middle Gangetic Plain region, which falls in India’s Bihar state. This paper has randomly selected seven districts from these three subs agro-climatic zone to collect the data. The analysis of this study is based on survey data collected from 700 farm households. This study has used descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model to assess the sources of climate information, agricultural extension and credit sources and how these sources influence farm households’ adaptation decisions. Findings The result of this study shows farmers are using different traditional (sharing experience, newspaper and radio), information and communication technology (mobile and TV) and institutional arrangements (agricultural officer and meteorological department) in the study area. The study’s finding identifies different farm households’ different sources and how these options farming farmers’ adaptation decisions. The study further revealed that institutional factors such as extension services and access to information on climate change increase the probability of adopting knowledge-intensive adaptation strategies such as soil conservation, water conservation, crop insurance and planting horticulture and vegetables. Research limitations/implications The study has conducted a micro-level assessment of adaptation behavior at the local level to understand the factor influencing the adaptation decision. This study’s finding is useful in designing the appropriate policy framework for the farm household’s capacity building to enhance their technical skills and awareness toward the institutional arrangements. Originality/value This paper’s finding pointed out institutional arrangements’ requirement to improve adaptive capacity to make long-term strategic decisions to cope with climate change.

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