Early warning systems help small-scale farmers prepare for climate change
IFAD News
Climate change is making extreme weather events more intense and frequent. Warning systems that are accurate, easy to use and provide the right climate information help limit loss of life and livelihoods.
With advance warning, small-scale farmers get precious time to store produce and animals safely, and to prepare for disaster. Even when some damage is unavoidable, it can make it easier to recover.
Yet only half of the least-developed countries and 39 per cent of small island developing states have multi-hazard early warning systems in place. Ironically, this is where they're needed most, at the frontlines of climate change.
A recipe for success
IFAD is changing this by providing rural people with access to timely and accurate climate information – and empowering them to weather the coming storm.
Over the years, we have learned that:
- - Effective climate information systems depend on stakeholders – from scientists to policymakers to rural extension workers. Everyone must share data and develop understandable advisories tailored to rural people.
- - Farmers and communities, including women and youth, must be involved in designing and producing climate information systems that work for them.
- - Training is essential to produce, understand, convey and use data effectively.
Success stories from around the world show how we are putting these learnings to use, so that farmers and herders can benefit from early warning systems.
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