499
respondents in Msolwa Ujamaa used climate information to plan when to start
cultivation, plant seeds, apply fertilisers and plan the exact time to sow, particularly
regarding sugarcane. For sugarcane farmers, forecast data is critical due to the fact
that the harvesting of sugarcane involves burning, which cannot be conducted when
it is raining. Other uses included awareness, whereby 66% of respondents in Sanje
and 76% of respondents in Msolwa Ujamaa used weather and climate information
to gain awareness of any climate events likely to happen, such as floods or drought,
and prepare accordingly in terms of both timing and action. Such preparation may
include making decisions on the type of farming to employ, choosing the right seeds
to grow (for example, early maturing or drought-resistant varieties) and employing
the use of contours, ridges and furrows, mulching, and intercropping. These measures are to some extent dependent on weather and climate forecasts, for both the
short and long term. Previous studies have also identified that farmers are more
likely to use climate data for the timing of planting, cultivation and harvest
(Rodriguez 2008; Vincent et al. 2017). Choosing suitable locations to farm, varying
planting dates, diversifying crops and varieties, looking for alternative sources of
income and choosing sustainable farming techniques are among the uses and advantages of weather and climate information that are relevant to smallholder farmers
(Ambani and Percy 2014).
3.3 Respondents’ Distribution by Age and Means of Access
to Weather and Climate Information
Table 1 presents test statistics on selected socio-economic characteristics (age,
gender and education level) in relation to means of access to weather and climate
information. An association was found between the age of respondents and the use of
radio in receiving climate information (X
2
= 12.667; p = 0.001). During the survey, it
was observed that majority farmers aged between 36 and 60 years preferred using
radio in accessing information compared to other information channels, due to their
familiarity with radio, having used it for many years. These results also showed an
association between the age of respondents and the use of traditional signs as a way
of receiving weather and climate information.
3.4 Respondents’ Gender and Means of Access to Weather
and Climate Information
Findings in Table 1 indicate that males access weather information through radio and
television more than females. Chi-square test results indicate that there is an association between the gender of farmers and access to weather and climate information
through radio and television (X
2
= 16.188, p = 0.000 and X
2
= 5.983, p = 0.014).
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…
respondents in Msolwa Ujamaa used climate information to plan when to start
cultivation, plant seeds, apply fertilisers and plan the exact time to sow, particularly
regarding sugarcane. For sugarcane farmers, forecast data is critical due to the fact
that the harvesting of sugarcane involves burning, which cannot be conducted when
it is raining. Other uses included awareness, whereby 66% of respondents in Sanje
and 76% of respondents in Msolwa Ujamaa used weather and climate information
to gain awareness of any climate events likely to happen, such as floods or drought,
and prepare accordingly in terms of both timing and action. Such preparation may
include making decisions on the type of farming to employ, choosing the right seeds
to grow (for example, early maturing or drought-resistant varieties) and employing
the use of contours, ridges and furrows, mulching, and intercropping. These measures are to some extent dependent on weather and climate forecasts, for both the
short and long term. Previous studies have also identified that farmers are more
likely to use climate data for the timing of planting, cultivation and harvest
(Rodriguez 2008; Vincent et al. 2017). Choosing suitable locations to farm, varying
planting dates, diversifying crops and varieties, looking for alternative sources of
income and choosing sustainable farming techniques are among the uses and advantages of weather and climate information that are relevant to smallholder farmers
(Ambani and Percy 2014).
3.3 Respondents’ Distribution by Age and Means of Access
to Weather and Climate Information
Table 1 presents test statistics on selected socio-economic characteristics (age,
gender and education level) in relation to means of access to weather and climate
information. An association was found between the age of respondents and the use of
radio in receiving climate information (X
2
= 12.667; p = 0.001). During the survey, it
was observed that majority farmers aged between 36 and 60 years preferred using
radio in accessing information compared to other information channels, due to their
familiarity with radio, having used it for many years. These results also showed an
association between the age of respondents and the use of traditional signs as a way
of receiving weather and climate information.
3.4 Respondents’ Gender and Means of Access to Weather
and Climate Information
Findings in Table 1 indicate that males access weather information through radio and
television more than females. Chi-square test results indicate that there is an association between the gender of farmers and access to weather and climate information
through radio and television (X
2
= 16.188, p = 0.000 and X
2
= 5.983, p = 0.014).
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…