Seamless Forecasting of Rainfall and Temperature for Adaptation of Farming Practices to Climate Variability

Agriculture is largely influenced by climate parameters and while Africa has a high potential for agricultural development and growth, adaptation is needed. In addition to the exploration of long-term adaptation strategies for climate change, there is a demand for shorter time scale coping mechanisms that would make agricultural systems more resilient to climate variability that directly impacts year-by-year production.

The aim of the project is to develop a set of tools to allow for an operational and robust climate-crop-water integrated assessment for the production of medium scale agricultural forecasts (including water demand). The study will provide a deeper understanding of local farming communities needs/expectations with regards to climate crop seasonal forecasts; an advanced understanding of climate-crop integration for South African systems; and the consequent tested methodology to produce agriculturally tailored seasonal forecasts.

Time Frames: 2015-2019

Funders: Water Research Commission (WRC)

Partners: University of Venda (UNIVEN), University of Fort Hare (UFH), Agricultural Research Council (ARC), university of Pretoria (UP), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Contact Person and Project Lead: Dr. Olivier Crespo