pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com Title Building Adaptive Capacity to Cope with Increasing Vulnerability Due to Climate Change By: Mugabe, F.T., Munodawafa, A., Dimes, J., Nanja, D.H., Carberry, P., Mwale, M., Mubaya, C., Makuvaro, V., Chagonda, I., Masere, P., E. Mutswangwa and Murewi, C. Report Type: Final technical report. Date: 30 September 2010 IDRC Project Number: 104144 IDRC Project Title: Climate Change and Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) Country/Region: Zimbabwe and Zambia Full Name of Research Institution: Midlands State University Address of Research Institution: Midlands State University, Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe Name(s) of Researcher/Members of Research Team: Mugabe, F.T., Munodawafa, A., Dimes, J., Nanja, D.H., Carberry, P., Mwale, M., Mubaya, C., Makuvaro, V., Chagonda, I., Masere, P., Mutswangwa, E. and Murewi, C. Contact Information of Researcher/Research Team members: [email protected] *This report is presented as received from project recipient(s). It has not been subjected to peer review or other review processes. Faculty of Natural International Crops , Zambian Meteorological Office) Australian Commonwealth Centro Internacional de Resources Research Institute for the Scientific Research Agricultura Tropical (CIAT- Management, MSU Semi-Arid Tropics Zambian Agricultural Research Organization, Sustainable TBSF) Institute Ecosystems 1 *This work is used with the permission of the Midlands State University (name of copyright holder) *Copyright _______ (year), ___________________________ (name of copyright holder) ABSTRACT The project objective was to develop educational curricula and research and extension competencies of present and future scientists to better assist farmers identify technology options that enhance their adaptive capacity to cope with risks and opportunities associated with climate change and variability. Research conducted by five PhD (two women) and four MPhils (one woman) students contributed to project outputs. Baseline data to describe cropping system and management under current climate variability and farmer perceptions about climate change across 4 districts of Zimbabwe and Zambia was collected and analysed. Indigenous knowledge of climate and indicators to seasonal conditions were also documented and compared with scientific forecasts. Seven workshops were held to educate farmers and extension agents on interpretation of the Seasonal Climate Forecast (SCF) and explore together its application in making cropping decisions. Management options in response to the SCF were then tested in participatory on-farm trials. Most smallholder farmers (at 3 of the 4 sites) were not aware of the existence of the SCF. However, in both seasons the farmers’ prediction of seasonal climate was consistent with that from the meteorological department. Engaging smallholder farmers with SCF assists them in making investment decisions on crop management options and in particular, on-farm trial results showed that farmers could derive reliable and substantial benefit from the SCF in decisions related to fertility input levels. The project demonstrated that farmer uptake and use of SCF benefits from an extended participatory approach that provides timely access and interpretation of the SCF, experimentation, monitoring and a post mortem of results which enhances farmer ownership and adoption after the project. *Keywords: Capacity building, Vulnerability, climate change and variability, smallholder farmers, Zimbabwe, Zambia 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This publication is an output from a project funded by CCAA/IDRC and DFiD (Grant number 104144). The views expressed are not necessarily those of CCAA/IDRC/DFiD. The authors would particularly like to thank the communities of Monze and Sinazongwe in Zambia and Lupane and Lower Gweru in Zimbabwe for their assistance and participation in the research. The team would also want to thank the Vice Chancellor of the Midlands State University, Professor Bebhe for giving the MSU team ample time to embark on this project. We also appreciate supervision from Professor Sue Walker of University of Free States, South Africa Professor Denford Musvosvi of Zambia Adventist University. The team would like to express its heartfelt condolences to Prospard Gondwe and Akapelwa Mukhata who were PhD and MSc students on the project respectively. May their souls rest in peace. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................... 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... 3 ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................ 7 3.0 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Site selection ............................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Participatory diagnosis .............................................................................................. 10 3.3 Capacity and competency building within Zambian and Zimbabwean institutions of higher learning ........................................................................................... 11 3.4 Participatory Action Research .................................................................................. 12 3.5 Development, testing and dissemination of climatic risk communication materials .............................................................................................................................. 12 4.0 RESEARCH FINDINGS .......................................................................................... 13 4.1 Key results .................................................................................................................. 13 4.1.1 Participatory diagnosis ..................................................................................... 13 4.1.2 Development, testing and dissemination of climatic risk communication materials .......................................................................................................................... 15 4.1.3 Comparison of the meteorological records with farmers’ assessment of climate change ................................................................................................................ 16 4.1.4 Participatory Action Research .......................................................................... 20 4.1.5 Modelling crop yields under different climate and agronomic scenarios .... 22 4.2 Major noticeable achievements ................................................................................. 24 4.2.1 Participatory diagnosis ..................................................................................... 25 4.2.2 Introduction of climate change and adaptation courses at MSU and UNZA 25 4.2.3 Use of crop simulation models ......................................................................... 25 4 4.2.4 Participatory Action Research ......................................................................... 25 4.2.5 Development, testing and dissemination of climatic risk communication materials .......................................................................................................................... 26 4.3 Expectations, lessons learnt....................................................................................... 27 4.3.1 Participatory diagnosis ..................................................................................... 27 4.3.2 Participatory Action Research .......................................................................... 27 4.3.3 Development, testing and dissemination of climatic risk communication materials .......................................................................................................................... 28 5.0 PROJECT OUTPUT AND DISSEMINATION ..................................................... 28 5.1 Project reports ............................................................................................................ 28 5.2 Capacity building ...................................................................................................... 29 5.2.1 Postgraduate students ....................................................................................... 29 5.2.2 Undergraduate students ................................................................................... 31 5.2.3 Project members training .................................................................................. 31 5.2.3 Extension personnel .......................................................................................... 31 5.2.4 Publications ........................................................................................................ 31 5.2.5 Participatory action research ............................................................................ 34 6.0 PROJECT OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS .............................................................. 34 6.1 Participatory diagnosis .............................................................................................. 34 6.2 Capacity and competency building within Zambian and Zimbabwean institutions of higher learning ........................................................................................... 35