Blog Bridging the “Last Mile”: Delivering climate services for agriculture to senior lead farmers in four districts of Zambia
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT worked with partners to train 120 lead farmers in Zambia's Chipata, Chipangali, Kasenengwa and Petauke districts in October 2024. This E-PICSA training equips farmers with climate information to enhance resilience in the 2024/2025 farming season.
By: Majambo Gamoyo, Grace Koech, Emely Mwale, Joseline Kiogora, Pedro Chilambe and Ani Ghosh
Climate change and variability are intensifying the vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers, putting their agricultural livelihoods at risk. The 2023/2024 El Niño - regarded as one of the strongest on record by the WMO - brought widespread drought to Zambia, causing water scarcity, crop failures and significant agricultural losses. During this season, much of the southern region of the country received less than a third of its typical rainfall, with only around 250 mm recorded. Prolonged dry spells of over 30 days struck at critical stages such as flowering and grain-filling, leading to widespread drought. As a result, nearly 1 million hectares of maize out of an estimated 2,272,931 hectares of maize were severely affected by the drought, resulting in crop failure (Republic of Zambia, April 2024). Between October 2023 and March 2024, approximately 2 million people (23% of the population) were expected to face severe food insecurity.
Low water levels at the Katete water reservoir, emphasizing the urgent need for water management solutions. Credit: Majambo Gamoyo
Climate Information Services (CIS) can play a critical role in managing such climate risks by providing timely and accessible information that enables farmers and communities to anticipate and adapt to adverse climate conditions. In preparation for the 2024/2025 farming season, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT with support from The Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa (Ukama Ustawi) and The Accelerated Innovation Delivery-Initiative AID-I in collaboration with the University of Reading, Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) and Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) conducted training for 103 senior lead farmers from Chipata, Chipangali, Kasenengwa, and Petauke districts on the digital Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (E-PICSA) approach. This collaboration builds on past and ongoing investments by University of Reading who had earlier trained the Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) on the PICSA approach and GIZ- Zambia.
The training focused on strengthening the lead farmers' decision-making by facilitating access to accurate and specific agroclimatic information for use in resilient adaptation practices in the face of climate variability. These lead farmers will, in turn, train others in their villages and regions, with the goal of reaching 2,000 farmers by the end of the season.
The Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach empowers farmers to make informed agricultural decisions based on localized climate information and forecasts. PICSA combines participatory engagement with climate and agricultural advisories, guiding farmers through the process of planning and adapting their practices according to seasonal climate risks.
Resource allocation
In this session, lead farmers participated in an interactive exercise to create a Resource Allocation Map - a participatory tool illustrating the primary livelihood activities of their households, particularly focusing on agricultural practices. Facilitators from COMACO guided the participants in detailing the key resources available and how they are allocated within their households. The Resource Allocation Map offers valuable insights into the resources accessible to farmers and the agricultural activities undertaken on their farms well in advance of the planting season. This exercise empowered participants to identify and discuss potential strategies for sustainable resource management and resilience building within their communities.
Senior lead farmers from Chipangali district participate in a resource allocation mapping activity, aimed at identifying and optimizing the use of available resources for climate-resilient agriculture. Credit: Majambo Gamoyo
Farmers’ perceptions of climate change
Climate change increasingly affects agricultural practices worldwide, and smallholder farmers bear the brunt of its impacts. In Zambia's Easter Province, the smallholder farmers are experiencing first hand the shifting weather patterns, deforestation, and the resulting impacts on their livelihoods.
The perception of farmers highlights the profound impact of climate change on their livelihoods, revealing a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between the environment and climate.
Esther Mwanza Banda from Kapatamoyo Chiefdom reflects on the past: "Back in the 1980s, our climate was far more predictable, and we enjoyed ample rainfall. Our crops flourished, and life felt secure. However, since the turn of the millennium, we have faced an alarming rise in challenges like frequent droughts and the spread of pests and diseases that threaten our harvests. These changes have made farming a struggle, pushing many of us to rethink our approaches to survive."
Below is an example of a historical seasonal rainfall graph for Chipata district, aligning with Esther Mwanza remarks where there is high variability in rainfall especially in the last 24 years.
Racheal Mbewe from Chanje Chiefdom shares her observations: "The rampant deforestation in our region has had devastating effects. As trees vanish, so does the rainfall we once relied on. The connection is unmistakable; the loss of our forests has directly altered our weather patterns, severely impacting our ability to grow crops and sustain our families. We are witnessing first hand how the degradation of our environment disrupts the very foundation of our livelihoods."
Grace Koech from the Alliance adds a hopeful perspective: "Recheal's insight highlights a crucial issue of deforestation and its impact on rainfall. To combat these challenges, we must adopt sustainable farming practices. One promising solution is agroforestry, which involves integrating trees with our crops. This not only helps restore the land but also enriches the soil, enhancing its health and fertility. Additionally, conservation farming techniques - emphasizing minimal soil disturbance and diverse crop rotations - can help us retain moisture, prevent erosion, and build resilience against the unpredictable climate. By embracing these strategies, we can create a more sustainable future for our farms and communities.".
Developing a seasonal calendar
With the upcoming 2024/2025 rainy season forecasted to bring normal to above-normal rainfall across Zambia (Figure 1), particularly in its eastern region, the PICSA approach will play a critical role in helping farmers prepare effectively. During the training sessions, farmers were presented with maps of rainfall patterns over their respective districts where they gained insights and understanding about seasonal variations, long-term trends and anomalies. Based on the information and knowledge gained, farmers created their seasonal calendars, identifying and mapping out the main activities to be conducted on their farms throughout the season.
Farmers from Kasenegwe and Petauke districts engaged in a seasonal calendar activity, mapping out key agricultural and climate-related events throughout the cropping season. This exercise helps identify the most appropriate periods for planting, harvesting, and the timing of climate risks such as droughts or floods, thus increasing their preparedness and resilience.
Understanding and using the seasonal forecast
Mr. Dickson Njobvu from ZMD provided farmers with a detailed outlook for the anticipated rainfall during the 2024/2025 season. With expectations of above-normal rainfall for most parts of Eastern Province, farmers were encouraged to adjust their resource allocation maps to better align with the forecast. By applying the knowledge gained from these sessions, they can adopt strategies to enhance their resilience and optimize productivity amidst climate variability and change. However, constraints related to legitimacy, access, understanding and capacity to respond have so far limited the widespread use and benefit from seasonal prediction among smallholder farmers. Recognizing that some farmers had not yet received the seasonal forecast, a WhatsApp group was established to ensure timely dissemination of forecasts and alerts. In addition, farmers expressed their preference for receiving weekly weather updates through multiple channels, including radio, SMS and WhatsApp, to ensure wide and accessible communication.
Mr. Dickson Njobvu from the Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) guides farmers through the 2024/2025 seasonal rainfall forecast.
Mr Laston Jere remarked that “As a farmer from Chipata district, the seasonal forecasts provided by the Zambia Meteorological Department will be highly beneficial in guiding my crop variety selection. In the past, I lacked such critical guidance and often had to rely on my traditional knowledge. With the seasonal outlook now available, I feel much more confident in making informed choices that align with the expected weather patterns, which will help improve my yields and overall productivity."
Probabilities, risks and options
During the training, farmers were guided through an in-depth session on how to understand and calculate weather and climate probabilities to assess risks. This knowledge enables them to make informed decisions about crop selection, planting times, livestock management and livelihood choices based on seasonal forecasts. By identifying and evaluating risks, farmers can adopt strategies that improve resilience to climate variability.
Farmers also explored various crops, livelihood and livestock options in groups, assessing the potential benefits and risks of each. Using participatory decision-making tools such as developing budgets, they were able to plan effectively by integrating risk information into their local and individual contexts. This process empowers them to make better-informed, suitable decisions for their communities.
Lead farmers from Kasenegwe engaged in developing an options matrix and participatory budgets, collaboratively exploring sustainable agricultural practices. This process supports informed decision-making on climate adaptation strategies, helping farmers evaluate resource allocation and the feasibility of various interventions to improve resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Doris Mwale - a farmer from Petauke District - expressed her appreciation, stating: "I am happy to learn that budgeting should involve the entire family, not just one individual, if it is to be comprehensive and effective." She emphasized that this inclusive approach not only ensures that all family members are aware of financial priorities but also fosters joint responsibility in managing resources.
Relevance of the PICSA approach to farming practices
The success of the training was largely driven by the active participation of farmers, who engaged in hands-on group exercises that allowed them to access and analyze climate data effectively. Through these collaborative efforts, they identified suitable agricultural options and weighed the risks and benefits of each choice. Farmers also learned to utilize participatory decision-making tools, including budget planning tailored to their specific farming needs. The voices of the farmers themselves highlight the transformative impact of the PICSA approach.
Mrs. Eunice Banda from Chipangali District expressed her newfound confidence, stating: "Learning to budget effectively and assess the risks associated with various farming methods has transformed the way I approach agriculture. I now feel empowered to make informed decisions that will lead to greater sustainability and success on my farm."
Mr. Samson Zulu - a senior lead farmer from Chipangali District - highlighted the importance of the training, saying: "The seasonal forecast presented during our sessions has been invaluable. It equips me to prepare my farm well in advance, and the resource mapping activity has helped me identify and leverage the resources I have at my disposal. This knowledge will undoubtedly enhance my productivity and resilience in the face of changing weather patterns."
Ms. Emma Tembo from Kasengwe District emphasized the holistic nature of the training, sharing: "As farmers, we greatly appreciate the depth of insight provided, particularly regarding the seasonal forecasts and the e-PICSA manual. This comprehensive training package aligns perfectly with our daily farming practices, empowering us to implement strategies that not only improve our yields but also foster a more sustainable farming future."
These testimonies illustrate a powerful shift among farmers, as they embrace a proactive and informed approach to agriculture. By the end of the training, they were not only empowered with new skills but also better equipped to plan for the upcoming season, leveraging the resources and tools provided by the e-PICSA platform to enhance their agricultural practices.
As demonstrated, the PICSA approach has equipped farmers with the essential tools to make informed decisions and effectively confront the agro-climatic challenges impacting their production systems. Emphasizing the use and interpretation of agro-climatic information is a crucial step towards upscaling climate-smart agriculture, enabling farmers to adapt to changing conditions and enhance their resilience.
The Alliance remains committed to supporting the implementation of the PICSA approach, seeing it as an ongoing educational process that requires continuous reinforcement and follow-up. Our objective is to strengthen the capacities of farmers, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to thrive in a changing climate, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and improved food security within their communities.
Acknowledgements
The digital Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (EPICSA) training in the four districts in Zambia is a collaborative effort made possible through the support and partnership of several key organizations. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following programs and institutions for their invaluable contributions:
- CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa (Ukama Ustawi).
- Accelerated Innovation Delivery-Initiative (AID-I)
- University of Reading
- Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)
- Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
- National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS)
- Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO)
In addition, we acknowledge, most importantly, the senior lead farmers whose collaboration and dedication played a pivotal role in the success of the training.
