491
been introduced, the disconnection between users and producers of the CIS has
undercut large-scale uptake (Singh et al. 2017). There is therefore a need to analyse
the existing level of uptake of CSI and its products, and how the information delivered is being used, and to identify users’ demands in terms of type and timeframe.
Africa may be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and variability due
to the following reasons: widespread poverty; limited access to information on climate variability and change; dependence on the natural environment and agriculture
for the majority of people; complex governance and institutional systems; limited
access to capital including markets, infrastructure, technology and ecosystem degradation; and complex disasters and conflicts (Lemos et al. 2012). The majority of
African farmers are smallholders, with two-thirds of all farms below 2 ha and 90% of
farms below 10 ha. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of gross domestic product
(GDP) and three-quarters of employment in sub-Saharan Africa (IUFRO 2010).
In Tanzania, agriculture remains the largest sector in the Tanzanian economy,
accounting for about half of the country’s GDP and employing more than 75% of
the labour force (URT 2011). It plays a critical role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the country, as they rely on agriculture for their daily subsistence and for income generation (URT 2011). Agriculture contributes over 60% of
export earnings in Tanzania, and over 70% of the population lives in rural areas
where agriculture and related non-farm activities are their main occupation (URT
2004). While the contribution of the agriculture sector is immense, the sector has
been seriously affected by the vagaries of climate variability and change. It is now
evident that climate variability and change pose a significant threat to food security in Tanzania through reductions of agricultural production due to increased
temperatures, drought, floods, reduced water availability and changes in rainfall
patterns (Pamela 2009). The performance of the agriculture sector, which has historically been the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, is projected to decline as a
result of negative effects of on-going global climate change (Pamela 2009). The
introduction of weather forecasting systems for risk management in agricultural
practices is relevant as they provide timely weather information, helping producers to take appropriate decisions (Lemos et al. 2012). In this regard, adapting to
climate variability and change and the provision of timely climate information to
manage climate risks are crucial at all levels (global, national, regional, local) and
economic sectors – particularly agriculture, which is sensitive to climate conditions. The effective use of weather and climate information to manage climate
risks and assist in the preparation of adaptive actions is thus urgently needed
(Troccoli et al. 2008; Hewitson et al. 2014). Existing information on climate
change and variability can help to inform decision-making at various levels, by
providing a deeper understanding of the impacts and risks, as well as supporting
actions to be taken to reduce those risks (Troccoli et al. 2008). While the seasonal
variability of climate is a major source of production risks, significant benefits
have arisen from the use of climate information in decision-making, especially in
agriculture (Fraisse et al. 2006). While climate information can be a powerful tool
to help farmers and other rural communities adapt to climate risks (Patt et al.
2005), its widespread use faces many practical challenges.
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…
been introduced, the disconnection between users and producers of the CIS has
undercut large-scale uptake (Singh et al. 2017). There is therefore a need to analyse
the existing level of uptake of CSI and its products, and how the information delivered is being used, and to identify users’ demands in terms of type and timeframe.
Africa may be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and variability due
to the following reasons: widespread poverty; limited access to information on climate variability and change; dependence on the natural environment and agriculture
for the majority of people; complex governance and institutional systems; limited
access to capital including markets, infrastructure, technology and ecosystem degradation; and complex disasters and conflicts (Lemos et al. 2012). The majority of
African farmers are smallholders, with two-thirds of all farms below 2 ha and 90% of
farms below 10 ha. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of gross domestic product
(GDP) and three-quarters of employment in sub-Saharan Africa (IUFRO 2010).
In Tanzania, agriculture remains the largest sector in the Tanzanian economy,
accounting for about half of the country’s GDP and employing more than 75% of
the labour force (URT 2011). It plays a critical role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the country, as they rely on agriculture for their daily subsistence and for income generation (URT 2011). Agriculture contributes over 60% of
export earnings in Tanzania, and over 70% of the population lives in rural areas
where agriculture and related non-farm activities are their main occupation (URT
2004). While the contribution of the agriculture sector is immense, the sector has
been seriously affected by the vagaries of climate variability and change. It is now
evident that climate variability and change pose a significant threat to food security in Tanzania through reductions of agricultural production due to increased
temperatures, drought, floods, reduced water availability and changes in rainfall
patterns (Pamela 2009). The performance of the agriculture sector, which has historically been the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, is projected to decline as a
result of negative effects of on-going global climate change (Pamela 2009). The
introduction of weather forecasting systems for risk management in agricultural
practices is relevant as they provide timely weather information, helping producers to take appropriate decisions (Lemos et al. 2012). In this regard, adapting to
climate variability and change and the provision of timely climate information to
manage climate risks are crucial at all levels (global, national, regional, local) and
economic sectors – particularly agriculture, which is sensitive to climate conditions. The effective use of weather and climate information to manage climate
risks and assist in the preparation of adaptive actions is thus urgently needed
(Troccoli et al. 2008; Hewitson et al. 2014). Existing information on climate
change and variability can help to inform decision-making at various levels, by
providing a deeper understanding of the impacts and risks, as well as supporting
actions to be taken to reduce those risks (Troccoli et al. 2008). While the seasonal
variability of climate is a major source of production risks, significant benefits
have arisen from the use of climate information in decision-making, especially in
agriculture (Fraisse et al. 2006). While climate information can be a powerful tool
to help farmers and other rural communities adapt to climate risks (Patt et al.
2005), its widespread use faces many practical challenges.
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…