More effectively managing seasonal climate risks for food production is a critical challenge in Southern Africa where highly variable rainfed environments and projected long-term aridification pose serious risks to the region’s agriculture. Seasonal climate forecasts are an important tool for catalysing anticipatory planning at the farm level that can lead to better management of seasonal climate risks and instil processes for longer- term adaptation. However, at present, farmer access to existing seasonal forecasts is poor, and the ability of farmers to properly interpret such information to benefit farming operations is inadequate.

This project examined how seasonal forecast development and delivery can be enhanced through testing downscaled climate forecasts for improving information from seasonal forecasts; tested the use of an optimization procedure to guide tactical decision making; and highlighted where improvements in communicating seasonal forecast information may be achieved.

Time frames: 1 year project, from July 2011 to June 2012

Funder: Global Change System for Analysis Research and Training (START)

Partners: –

For further details: Contact Dr Olivier Crespo