Climate change and variability underscore need for innovation in farming

The original post was published by FAO Rwanda, reproduced for e-Agriculture Community for news purposes

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have taken steps to boost the capacity of extension workers and farmers to respond to climate change and variability in agricultural practice.

Under the lead of FAO’s Digital Innovation Unit, the renewed cooperation, “Agro-meteorological and Agro-climatological Services in Developing Countries: Digital Innovation to tackle climate change,” was initiated in Rwanda in December 2017.

This initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the FAO and WMO in June 2017 to strengthen cooperation to respond to climate change and variability.

The cooperation looks into assisting farmers translate raw weather data into actionable and accessible agro-information—data that are essential to farmers to make well-informed farm-management decisions and effectively mitigate effective climate risks.

In Rwanda, FAO, WMO and local partners, Metro Rwanda and ICT Chamber, have teamed up to carry out capacity building training starting on October 22 to 14 November 2018. The will be in the five districts of the country—Nyabihu, Musanze, Rubavu, Rulindo and Burera.

This training for extension workers and farmers on Agrometeorological and Agro-climatological information will enhance capacity of the country to provide meteorological and climatological forecasts related to agricultural practices.

The project also looks into enhancing the capacity of Rwandan farmers by providing more accurate meteorological and climate data as well as improving agricultural information that will facilitate their integration into agriculture policies, plans and strategies.