Evaluating the Impact of Weather and Climate Information Utilization on Adoption of Climate-Smart Technologies Among Smallholder Farmers in Tambacounda and Kolda Regions, (Senegal)

Bartha Alexandra Nantongo ,Joseph Ssekandi ,Ablaye Ngom ,Birane Dieng ,Ndongo Diouf ,Jules Diouf ,Kandioura Noba

doi:10.7176/jees/11-2-05

Abstract

Senegal is subjected to climate change and unstable weather conditions of the Sahel zone causing adverse negative effects on the agricultural sector and biodiversity. Weather and climate information is one of the requirements for effective adoption of climate-smart agriculture in Senegal, where Agriculture employs approximately 65% of the total population. This study evaluated the impact of weather information utilization on adoption of climate-smart technologies among smallholder farmers using a case study of Tambacounda and Kolda regions in Senegal. The study aimed at establishing the level of accessibility, understandability, usability of weather information and examined the extent to which utilization of weather information impacts the adoption of Climate-smart agriculture technologies among smallholder farmers in Tambacounda and Kolda. For this study, questionnaires were administered to 341 purposively sampled households with the help of department extension workers and local leaders. The study findings show that while smallholder farmers accessed weather information through traditional and modern media sources like radio, television, and telephone, understandability and usability of the weather and climate information received were low. Overall utilization of weather and climate information was low. Also, the overall adoption rate of climate-smart agriculture technologies was low. Utilization of weather and climate information was constrained by language problems, failure to comprehend the information, difficulty in understanding forecast terminology, inability to respond to weather and climate information in terms of farming equipment and other inputs, poor packaging of information, and user unfriendliness of weather and climate information in the study area. The regression model results (F = 22.203, P=.028) were within the significant level (p<0.05), which means that accessibility, understandability, and usability of weather forecasts were appropriate predictors of adoption of climate smart technologies among smallholder farmers. A new and effective weather information delivery system is proposed and provision of weather-based advisory services to the farming communities. Keywords : Adoption, Climate/weather information, Climate-smart technologies, Smallholder farmers, Senegal DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-2-05 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Highlights

The effects of climate change in Africa are evident and are causing a big challenge on human health, forestry, water resources, fisheries, agriculture, and the entire food security systems in the twenty-first century (Cherotich et al, 2012; FAO, 2013; Barnard et al, 2015)
It should be noted that when the gender of respondents is established in adoption studies of this nature, it becomes essential to know the influencing pillar, its significance, and the extent to which they determine the utilization of weather and climate information in households
The less the ability of low-income earners to reach out to different communication channels, the less they are likely to be aware of the weather and climate forecasts and this has a long-term effect on adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices

Summary

Introduction

The effects of climate change in Africa are evident and are causing a big challenge on human health, forestry, water resources, fisheries, agriculture, and the entire food security systems in the twenty-first century (Cherotich et al, 2012; FAO, 2013; Barnard et al, 2015). Despite efforts to invest in weather and climate information services, smallholder farmers in many developing countries seldom utilize such products for farm-level decision-making (Ndambiri et al, 2013). This is mainly due to lack of adaptability of the information to local conditions, difficulties in accessing localized information (drought occurrences and rainfall cessation) on time and in a format that decision-makers could understand (Kadi et al, 2011). This is mainly due to lack of adaptability of the information to local conditions, difficulties in accessing localized information (drought occurrences and rainfall cessation) on time and in a format that decision-makers could understand (Kadi et al, 2011). DeLonge et al (2016) assert that ensuring that farmers understand weather and climate information disseminated could guide their decisions especially when it comes to what climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practice to adopt

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Conclusion