MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
EXERCISE 1
Provide small groups or pairs with photocopies if graphs of events and then ask
them to do the following described in the next slide:
SLIDE 10 – EXERCISE 1
For an event e.g. total rainfall
– Decide on the characteristics of the event that you will focus on e.g. for
total rainfall, what amount (e.g. below or above a certain no. of mm?)
– Remember to keep focusing on what you think would be useful to a
farmer. Why have you chosen this amount?
– Work out the probabilities and summarise them
– Discuss the management implications .........This is important
Repeat the above for other events
Go round the groups to provide help and clarification. Participants may find it
easier to use a ruler to clearly see and read off points on the graphs
Ask the groups to share their answers with the rest of the class
The next two slides include a number of very important points –
take time to go through them
SLIDE 11 – WHAT SHOULD WE COMMUNICATE WITH FARMERS ABOUT
EVENTS, AND HOW?
A. What ?
1. Variability and trends ...IMPORTANT. Why? – To see if there are trends and
changes and to avoid „maladaptation‟. If farmers and extension are responding to
the wrong things/ trends they are likely to waste everyone‟s effort
2. Basic information to help with planning and decision making e.g. what is the
„normal‟ and variation in total rainfall for my area, what is the „normal‟ and variation of
length of season for may area. This can help with choice of crops and varieties,
planting dates etc.
3. Probabilities of events – Which ones? Why? – So that farmers know the
probabilities and can make better informed decisions. e.g. they can each decide on
what crop to grow, when to plant, and what levels of inputs to invest.
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
Page 55