Agriculture is highly sensitive to climatic parameters and numerous studies show that Africa will be highly affected by long term climate changes, mostly in a negative manner, and adaptation is required. In addition to the exploration of long term adaptation strategies in response to climate change, there is a demand for shorter time scales coping mechanisms, which would make agricultural systems more resilient in the face of climate variability (vs. climate change). Despite a number of limitations to be clearly understood, the value of seasonal forecasts is evident.

 

The aim of this project is to develop an operational and robust climate-crop-water integrated assessment tool for the production of medium scale agricultural forecasts (including water demand).

 

Time frames: 2 year project, from 2015 to 2017

Funder: Water Research Commission (WRC)

Partners: University of Fort Hare, University of Venda, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Centre for Water Resources Research (CWRR), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the South African Weather Service (SAWS)

For further details: Contact Dr Olivier Crespo

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