Co-producing climate information services with smallholder farmers in the Lower Bengal Delta: How forecast visualization and communication support farmers’ decision-making

Uthpal Kumar,Saskia E Werners,Spyridon Paparrizos,Dilip Kumar Datta,Fulco Ludwig

doi:10.1016/j.crm.2021.100346

Uthpal Kumar, Saskia E Werners + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2021.100346

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Abstract

Farmers in the Bengal Delta are confronted with increasing hydroclimatic risks due to climate variability and change. The co-production of climate information services that address the farmers' needs could potentially assist farmers with climate-sensitive decision-making and managing their risks. This study aims to investigate how the co-production of climate information services through forecast visualization and communication has improved forecast uptake for climate-sensitive decision-making of smallholder farmers. We applied a farmer field school approach to communicating visual diagrams for 7-day, 14-day, and seasonal forecasts during face-to-face meetings using printed paper, and smartphone applications. Results show that diagram-based forecast visualization and a combined communication approach integrating face-to-face interaction using printed paper and a smartphone app have improved uptake of information services by farmers. Capacity building and frequent interactions at farmer field schools contribute to a better understanding and trust of visual forecasts, interpretation skills, and decision-making capacity of smallholder farmers. We conclude that the co-production effort with farmers combined with the capacity building has resulted in wider sharing, dissemination, and uptake of scientific forecasts for climate-sensitive decision-making by smallholders in the Lower Bengal Delta.

Highlights

The agriculture sector is pivotal in the national food and livelihood security of Bangladesh
This study aims to investigate how the co-production of climate information services through forecasts visualization and communication has improved information uptake for climate-sensitive decision-making of smallholders
About one-third (29%) of farmers confront financial limitations in purchasing a personal smartphone and internet package. They confess their lack of ICT knowledge and personal awareness and network instability that limit access and usage of smartphones in utilizing climate information services for agricultural decision-making

Summary

Introduction

The agriculture sector is pivotal in the national food and livelihood security of Bangladesh. The sector employs about 85% of people in rural areas by direct and indirect means (Sikder and Xiaoying, 2014) – assists in sustaining the rural economy, and contributes to about 15–20% of national GDP (Clarke et al, 2015, Kashem et al, 2010, BBS, 2018). Weather and climate are key drivers of the agricultural sector in Bangladesh and affect agricultural productivity, crop efficiency, farmland value, and profitability of agricultural systems (Hossain et al, 2020, Paparrizos et al, 2020, Hossain et al 2020, Paparrizos et al 2020). The agricultural production of southwest Bangladesh is affected by hydroclimatic variability and extreme events such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and storm surges. Climate information service is defined as the production, translation, distribution, and use of weather and climate information for (agricultural) decision-making (Vaughan and Dessai, 2014, FAO, 2019)

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