MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
Then discuss the following:
Slide 3
• Start of the season
• Probability of extreme events
– Dry spell
– Wet spell
• When these events are likely to occur(at the beginning of the season)
• End of season
• Total seasonal rainfall
• Forecast simplified(go beyond normal and above normal)
• Future weather patterns and their implications
Risks in production of different crops (for informed decision making)
Slide 4
Is climate really changing?
This is a very hot topic. Discuss with farmers what they think is happening
to climate change in Zimbabwe and why they think that way. It is important
at this stage to remind them the previous topic that climate is not only
about rainfall but also includes other parameters like temperature,
humidity and so on.
• Then discuss the results of statistical analysis of some sites which
clearly shows that it‟s not easy to conclude for rainfall because of high
variability.
• Temps are significantly warming up.
• Rainfall regression is not statistically significant.
• Climate change throughout the world is mostly shown through
increased temp
• Rainfall is much more difficult and variable ( different models have
shown different outcomes with some showing an increase and some
showing a decrease while temperatures have been consistently
increasing).
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
Page 43