MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
Farmers measure and record parameters that would bring
about differences in the performance of the treatments.
In their subgroups the farmers analyse the data, noting
differences in performances and the reasons for the differences
Farmers make a management decision- if this is what is
happening to our crop, what do we need to do to manage it
well?
Subgroups present their findings to the FFS.
The FFS arrives at a consensus as to what management
decision to implement
Data to be collected and analysed by farmers to compare the
performance of crops under different management regimes:
Percentage emergence, Leaf colour, Plant height, Number of
tillers, Number of fruiting bodies, Length, circumference of cob/
panicle, Labour for all operations, Weed spectrum and density,
Disease and pest dynamics, Yields
Returns per dollar invested in the different technologies (cost
benefit analysis
etc.
A farmer who has analysed the differences in the performance
of the different technologies throughout the crop‟s life cycle can
make an informed decision on adaptation and or adoption
They are experts in the subject as they would have learnt
management requirements of all the growth stages of the crop.
When farmers, researchers and extensionists all contribute
their specific knowledge and skills and experiment jointly
optimisation of yields and maximisation of profits is achieved
within a very short space of time
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
Page 40