A Question of Development
Local knowledge is currently attracting growing interest on the international stage, in particular for its contribution to biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. An increasing number of development projects are now opting to incorporate it in scientific knowledge. Based on a review of the literature on Africa and a field survey financed by AFD among 285 farmers in northern Côte d’Ivoire, the purpose of this document is to identify the potential of local forecasting knowledge (LFK) in the field of climate services for farmers.
Synthesis of AFD
studies and research
JUNE 2023 No 60
Strengthening climate services in Africa by incorporating local knowledge
I. Why promote climate services in Africa? Climate services (CS) are defined as “any service (applications, radio bulletins, text messages) comprising shortterm weather forecasts (1 to 15 days), seasonal forecasts (3-month trend) and climate projections (one century) to guide users in their decision-making”. CS allow farmers to anticipate weather shocks and adapt their decisions accordingly. These climate risk management tools have a positive effect on agricultural incomes and productivity (Roudier, 2019). They are also increasingly important for the adaptation of practices to climate change. In this respect, CS have been set out in the international development agenda (Paris Agreement – Article 7(7c), SDGs – Target 13.7, etc.). In Africa, the provision of CS is still often insufficient. It primarily involves weather forecasts and early warning systems (EWS), mainly provided by National Meteorological Services (NMS). In addition to the lack of technical means for the collection and processing of data, the mismatch of information with user demand (variables, dissemination formats, accessibility, etc.) sometimes prevents CS from fully playing their role as an adaptation tool. For example, women benefit from weather information less frequently, as they have more limited access to mobile phones in rural households. Furthermore, the information disseminated must be perceived as credible, relevant and legitimate by users. But the arrival of imprecise scientific forecasts in certain areas in the past, combined with a low provision of training in uncertainty management, may have undermined people’s confidence in this information. In this context, the incorporation of LFK, which rural people still use in addition to scientific forecasts, could contribute to increasing the acceptance of CS among users.
Author Julie Bompas AFD and Center for Studies and Research on International Development (CERDI)