A participatory approach to developing community based climate services in Zimbabwe: A case study of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) District

Abstract

Climate change is projected to intensify the problems already faced by agricultural production systems. Tactical and strategic decisions are required to minimise agricultural losses while building resilience. Climate services focus on providing tailor-made climate information from grassroots levels. Therefore, this study focused on understanding climate information reaching smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, the limitations and gaps, creating dialogue between scientists and climate information users in agriculture and development of an end-to-end community based climate services. A participatory approach was designed bringing together smallholder farmers as the users of climate information, agricultural extension officers and decision makers to identify extreme events and to develop guidelines for a scalable climate services in agriculture. Products developed were (a) a hot spot map of extreme events, (b) customised climate information for agriculture that is actionable and the establishment of a community weather observation hub. The study showed that smallholder farmers have potential to boost available climate information through observation and experience when actively involved. The use of climate information improved their agricultural output. We recommend that establishment of national climate services for agriculture be an iterative process that is continuously developed with full participation of smallholder farmers.