This is your space to relax and discuss issues that are not directly linked to the main discussion’s subject matter.
Farm Extension workers should be empowered with capacity to make climate change a new campaign in their mandates and engagements with farmers
Each and evry government has a role of advocating or civic educating there citizens on better ways of adapting to clemate change.
Farm Extension workers should be empowered with capacity to make climate change a new campaign in their mandates and engagements with farmers
Climate change is generally discussed in a negative context, but can there also be positive outcomes of climate change? Does anyone have examples to share of climate change bringing about positive change?
I feel climate change also has positive outcomes because there are some crops that are growing well with the change of climate and are adaptive.
This book summarizes state-of-the-art knowledge on the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture. The book begins by introducing the nonspecialist to the causes of climate change, and reviews the main climate change drivers and impacts. It then goes on to review all major aspects of climate change impact on agriculture in detail. The scope is very broad indeed–the authors consider agricultural greenhouse gas emissions; the effects of raised CO{sub 2} and climate change on crop yield (discussing in some detail the effects on vegetation); possible impacts on pests, weeds, and diseases; impacts on soils; and the effects on water resources and sea level rise. The final four chapters expand the science described in earlier chapters to the global level, providing an analysis of impacts of climate change, then examining in detail the regions at greatest risk from climate change and possible implications for future food security, and finishing with a chapter on adaptation, economics, and policy.
I think the key options that African farmers have against climate change is to adapt to it or mitigate against its worsening. However, African farmers have the least technical and financial means to do this. So far, implementation of both actions is limited on the continent. So, I would like to learn from any positive case studies in Africa or elsewhere in the world in order to replicate any such good examples wherever possible, especially in my country.
Ismail,
Yes i agree with you African farmers are challenged financially and are limited to technical expertise on climate change agricultural adaptation measures. Here in Malawi for example one agricultural extension officer is supposed to assist 1000 farmers but due to shortage of such officers one officer supports 3000 + farmers.However government introduced lead farmer concept, where some farmers are trained new technologies and train fellow farmers back home. The most effective technology so far in most parts of the country is conservation agriculture where farmers are able to harvest despite experiencing erratic rains due to climate change.Recently there has also been an awareness among farmers on use of early maturing varieties and drought resistant crops. As for mitigation measures environmental conservation is crucial although most farmers do not yet understand climate change let alone its impact/effects.
Sakina.
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Hi Sakina,
Thanks for your thoughts on this topic that I thought was very important to raise. Yes the farmer-extension worker ratio is an issue all over Africa i think. I am interested to have a better insight as to how the concept of conservation agriculture is practiced in your country. Yes, early maturing varieties, especially with good organic manure like composts is a good way of agricultural adaptation although having enough compost could pose a technical and financial challenge. So does environmental conservation as a mitigation measure, where a lot of sensitization and training of communities is also necessary. Moreover, environmental conservation has to prove to be a worthwhile venture for farmers. The question, therefore, is where would the financial resources and technical expertise come from?
Regards,
Ismaila.
who r the most responsible for climate change?It is interesting to note that climate change has not been discussed at the level farmers can follow the discussion and key into the outcome. Changes in pattern and nature of rainfalls and sun shine and how these affect farming activities and yields when discussed in a way farmers will appreciate it will be more effective and result oriented. In Africa, the issue of climate change has not been stepped down to farmers by the governments and even radio practitioners.
Climate is defined as an area’s long-term weather patterns. The simplest way to describe climate is to look at average temperature and precipitation over time. Moreover Climate patterns play a fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems,
and the human economies and cultures that depend on them. But the
climate we’ve come to expect is not what it used to be, because the past
is no longer a reliable predictor of the future. Our climate is rapidly
changing with disruptive impacts, and that change is progressing faster
than any seen in the last 2,000 years.
According to the report, Preparing for a Changing Climate,
rising levels of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases in the
atmosphere have warmed the Earth and are causing wide-ranging impacts,
including rising sea levels; melting snow and ice; more extreme heat
events, fires and drought; and more extreme storms, rainfall and floods.
Scientists project that these trends will continue and in some cases
accelerate, posing significant risks to human health, our forests,
agriculture, freshwater supplies, coastlines, and other natural
resources that are vital to Washington state’s economy, environment, and
our quality of life.
Because so many systems are tied to climate, a change in climate can
affect many related aspects of where and how people, plants and animals
live, such as food production, availability and use of water, and health
risks. For example, a change in the usual timing of rains or
temperatures can affect when plants bloom and set fruit, when insects
hatch or when streams are their fullest. This can affect historically
synchronized pollination of crops, food for migrating birds, spawning of
fish, water supplies for drinking and irrigation, forest health, and
more.
Some short-term climate variation is normal, but longer-term trends now indicate a changing climate.
Our state and societies around the globe need to reduce human-caused
greenhouse gas emissions to avoid worsening climate impacts and reduce
the risk of creating changes beyond our ability to respond and adapt.
Washington state is addressing this challenge and has adopted policies
to reduce energy use, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and build a clean
energy economy. Some changes in climate — and impacts on our state — are
unavoidable, even if we reduce greenhouse gas emissions today. But we
can take more actions to reduce progressively worsening impacts.
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Joern, the issues is about putting both advantages and disadvantages on scale. The disadvantages far outweighs the merits and so it’s BAD! No two words about that!