Abstract
AbstractPhone-based applications, Internet connectivity, and big data are enabling climate change adaptations. From ICT for development and agriculture perspectives, great interest exists in how digital platforms support climate information provision for smallholder farmers in Africa. The vast majority of these platforms both private and public are for delivering climate information services and for data collection. The sheer number of digital platforms in the climate information sector has created a complex information landscape for potential information users, with platforms differing in information type, technology, geographic coverage, and financing structures and infrastructure. This chapter mapped the existing climate information services and examined their impact on policy and practices in smallholder farming development in Africa, with a focus on Ghana. Specifically, the chapter provides highlights of digital platforms available to smallholder farmers and agricultural extension agents, analyzes the public and/or private governance arrangements that underpin the implementation of digital climate information delivery, and assesses the potential of these platforms in scaling up the use of climate information. The chapter contributes to understanding the dynamics of climate information delivery with digital tools in Africa, and suggests a future research agenda.
Highlights
Climate change and variability are complex problems affecting different geographical regions, people, and socio-ecological systems
The findings suggest that the informal and formal channels of climate information services (CIS) delivery support smallholder farming institutional logic than ICTs destroying informal institutions
This chapter examined the delivery of CIS with digital tools to smallholder farmers by reviewing existing literature on the sector
Summary
Climate change and variability are complex problems affecting different geographical regions, people, and socio-ecological systems. Africa is likely to be the most adversely affected due to its overdependence on climate-sensitive sectors for development. The changing climate conditions and the projections of increased temperature and precipitations have implications for smallholder farming and household food security. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in recognition of the heightened climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and need for adaptation, encourages the adoption of a cross-sectoral and integrated approach to the development and Digital Platforms in Climate Information Service Delivery for Farming in. Adaptation, along with mitigation efforts, is a complementary approach for reducing and managing the risks associated with climate change and sustainable development in developing countries (Federspiel 2013; IPCC 2014). Countries are expected to develop mechanisms (plans, programs, and policies) that enhance resilience and provide support for local practices for climate change adaptation (Dougill et al 2017)
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