This report discusses a digital advisory campaign that delivered El Niño advisories to over 1 million farmers in Malawi and Zambia using IVR technology. More than 90% of participants found the advisories helpful. Key findings include the impact of weather forecasts on crop decisions and the adoption of conservation agriculture to mitigate yield losses due to extreme weather.
Climate extremes, such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, are becoming increasingly prevalent and severe in Southern Africa, significantly impacting communities that rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture. Farmers require immediate guidance and resources to enhance their resilience to these climate-related disasters. Nonetheless, the existing national extension systems are often underfunded and lack the capability to respond effectively to emergencies in the region.
This report examines a digital advisory initiative launched to communicate essential El Niño advisories to farmers in Malawi and Zambia through Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology, which is compatible with basic mobile phones. Launched in December 2023, prior to the 2023/24 agricultural season, the campaign aimed to raise awareness and provide critical advisory messages to farmers. Feedback from farmers indicated a high level of engagement, with over 1 million farmers reached, and more than 90% of respondents found the campaign’s messages beneficial for preparedness.
Radio emerged as the most widely used medium for receiving extension messages in both countries. Furthermore, the data highlighted that meteorological forecasts significantly influenced farmers’ decisions regarding their crop choices and planting schedules. For example, dry spells exceeding 21 days resulted in maize yield losses ranging from 70% to 90%. The findings suggest that adopting conservation agriculture practices and utilizing drought-resistant crops were among the most common strategies employed by farmers to mitigate losses.
The results underscore the necessity for governments to access pertinent information regarding the circumstances of their agricultural populations in order to facilitate informed decisions regarding efficient support measures. Digital advisories present an opportunity not only to collect real-time data on agricultural conditions but also to provide timely deployment of aid. Additionally, conducting post-event analyses can yield valuable insights to improve future intervention designs and reduce reliance on external funding.
The implementation of digital El Niño advisories in Malawi and Zambia illustrates a significant step toward equipping farmers with the necessary resources to withstand climate extremes. The high engagement and positive feedback from farmers indicate a successful model that could inform future agricultural support initiatives. Enhanced access to meteorological data and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices remain crucial for crisis preparedness and mitigation.
Original Source: www.cgiar.org
