Patrick Gatsinzi – TESF RW04 Project-Rwanda; Lecturer, Arts and Educational Sciences, and Associate Quality Assurance Director: Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA), Kigali

Email: byandaga@cgiar.org/ gatsinzipatrick@yahoo.com

Abstract: Climate change remains a critical global challenge, disproportionately affecting livelihoods in less developed countries that rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture. Climate Information Services (CIS) have been identified as an important mechanism for enhancing community resilience to climate-related shocks. This study examined farmers’ understanding of climate change and environmental policies, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CIS, and the capacities required to strengthen resilience in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. A mixed-methods approach was applied, involving 377 participants selected from Rwimiyaga and Rwempasha Sectors of Nyagatare District. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interviews and analyzed through descriptive and thematic techniques. Findings revealed that farmers were generally knowledgeable about climate change and related policies. Major reported effects included droughts, prolonged dry spells, hailstorms, and windstorms. Access to CIS was reported by 87.5% of respondents, mainly through radio (52%) and television (14%), with 97% rating the information as relevant. CIS was primarily used to predict the onset of farming seasons, although only 10% expressed full trust in the information. Key capacities identified for improving resilience included improved access to CIS, training in CIS interpretation and application, provision of irrigation water and infrastructure, access to drought-resistant seeds, pest control measures, and tree planting materials. The study concludes that strengthening CIS delivery and farmer capacity is critical to enhancing resilience. It recommends the design and implementation of comprehensive CIS capacity-building programs, coupled with improved access to irrigation resources, as pathways to adaptive and sustainable livelihoods.

Received May 17, 2020; Revised August 23, 2020; Accepted August 24, 2020

Abstract: Climate change and variability is associated with increase in uncertainties, more frequent droughts and intense flooding, windstorms and disease outbreaks. These climatic hazards have greatest impact on livelihoods of vulnerable agrarians especially in sub Saharan Africa. The vulnerability of livelihoods to impacts of climate change depends on the extent of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of the people affected. Dissemination of useful and tailored climate services information to end users need close collaboration between meteorological experts and institutions that are involved in rural activities and work with farmers at grass roots in regard to support. Very little is however known in the existing literature on how the climate and weather information are co-produced. In this study, we aimed at examining the types of innovative approaches used to co-produce and disseminate coproduced climate services; the types of co-produced services (information) provided; and the decisions made on the co-produced climate services (information) by the end users, and the communication channels used to disseminate the climate services. Using descriptive survey design, we collected data on 2102 local farmers across the country using phone survey/interviewing. Data was analysed using VIAMO Platform. Results indicated different innovative approaches employed to enhance production, dissemination, and feed-back of climate and weather information, various communication approaches and decisions/feedback provided by farmers. We recommended that these innovative approaches be strengthened, empowered and expanded to all local farmers in Rwanda.