Ethno-meteorology and scientific weather forecasting: Small farmers and scientists’ perspectives on climate variability in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Kolawole, Oluwatoyin Dare; Wolski, Piotr; Ngwenya, Barbara Ntombi; Mmopelwa, Gagoitseope

doi:10.1016/j.crm.2014.08.002

Cited by 72 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Forecasts accuracy tends to decrease with smaller regions and locally specific information tends to be more uncertain and making this information more accurate requires sufficient observational records in order to be meaningful (Goddard et al, 2010;Gong et al, 2003). Inaccurate forecasts have been implicated in negative yield impacts and the opportunity costs for uncertain forecast is substantial and compromises profitability (Kolawole et al, 2014;Roudier et al, 2014). Farmers in Zimbabwe, and in eastern Africa, have demonstrated that, with some help, they are able to understand and incorporate probabilistic forecast information into their decision making processes Luseno et al, 2003;Lybbert et al, 2007;Patt, 2001;Suarez & Patt, 2004).…”

Section: Sources Of Seasonal Climate Forecast Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is need to generate useful climate information and predictions and translate that information into usable forms for decision makers through continued dialogues among users of the information periodically. Information tends to be applicable to relatively large areas and lacks specificity, including the fact that information is disseminated late and in unfriendly languages, with technical jargon that makes it limit the effectiveness of uptake (Goddard et al, 2010;Hansen et al, 2009;Kolawole et al, 2014;Van Aalst et al, 2008cited in Mapfumo et al, 2015Mberego & Sanga-Ngoie, 2012;Patt & Gwata, 2002). There is also lack of specific information about timing of rainfall and season onset or length, including the late dissemination of the information (Hansen et al, 2011;Kolawole et al, 2014).…”

Section: Sources Of Seasonal Climate Forecast Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Limited and inequitable access to forecast information by farmers compounds the problems of efficiency of seasonal forecasts (Kolawole et al, 2014;Mapfumo et al, 2015;Mberego & Sanga-Ngoie, 2012;Roncoli et al, 2002;Roncoliet al, 2009;Roudier et al, 2014). Therefore, there is need to improve the effectiveness of communication of climate information through multiple channels and deliberately partnering with the media for this cause since widespread communication failures constrain access to and therefore widespread uptake of information (Goddard et al, 2010;Hansen et al, 2009).…”

Section: Sources Of Seasonal Climate Forecast Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recent studies have shown that resilience building for smallholder farmers in Africa is a process that starts with the ability to anticipate change and accordingly adjust farming practices and set the base for sound food security, particularly in the context of climate variability and change (Kolawole et al, 2014).…”

Section: Hazards and Stressesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Seasonal Climate Prediction and Adaptation Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture Systems in Southern Africa: A Review

Jiri¹,

Mafongoya²,

Mubaya³

et al. 2016

JAS

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Erratic rainfall and increasing temperature is rapidly emerging as one of the most serious global problems affecting many sectors in the world. It is considered to be one of the most serious threats to sustainable development with adverse impact on environment, human health, food security, economic activities, natural resources and physical infrastructure. Southern Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change in the world, particularly because of widespread poverty, recurrent droughts, inequitable land distribution, over-dependence on rain-fed agriculture and low adaptive capacity. Yet rural farmers in southern Africa have managed to survive the vagaries of climate change over the years. This review reveals that these rural farmers can use indigenous knowledge to cope and adapt to climate change. Availability and access to scientific weather information to make cropping and other decisions at the local level remain key issues to usage of climatic data by rural farmers. On the other hand, indigenous knowledge is what rural farmers have been using but is also becoming unreliable due to climate change and variability. Integration of indigenous knowledge and scientific seasonal forecast seems to be a key possible thrust to reduce vulnerability, enhance resilience of rural farmers and increase their adaptive capacity.

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Section: Sources Of Seasonal Climate Forecast Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sources Of Seasonal Climate Forecast Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sources Of Seasonal Climate Forecast Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Hazards and Stressesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Seasonal Climate Prediction and Adaptation Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture Systems in Southern Africa: A Review

Jiri¹,

Mafongoya²,

Mubaya³

et al. 2016

JAS

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“…Despite the tensions evident in Monze, future research could explore the complementarity of knowledge forms in forecasting rainfall (e.g. Kolawole et al 2014), thus creating a space for bridging epistemologies. Wisner (2010a) highlights the potential (and pitfalls) of participatory action research methods in successfully bridging and co-producing hybrid knowledge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting to climate change in shifting landscapes of belief

et al. 2015

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Religious beliefs, an important element of culture, influence adaptation to climate change. Less understood is how changing beliefs shape the adaptive capacity of communities responding to climate change. In the last century sub-Saharan Africa has experienced a transformation in beliefs. Since 1900 Christians have increased 70-fold while in rural areas Traditional Beliefs and associated Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) continue to influence the lived practices of vulnerable rural communities. Using two case studies of rural communities in Malawi (Bolero) and Zambia (Monze) we explore how Christianity and Traditional beliefs (and associated TEK) co-exist and assess if, and how, holding multiple belief systems affects climate-sensitive livelihood practices of food production. In Bolero we observed a lack of tensions between belief systems with Traditional leaders and elders noting the flexibility of adhering to both belief systems. In Monze however, basing livelihood decisions on the practice of rain-rituals resulted in strong tensions. In both communities elders noted their concern of how changing beliefs affect adherence to TEK management practices. We find that culture and beliefs play an important role in adaptive capacity but are not static. In the context of changing beliefs, adaptive capacity will be influenced by how different belief systems co-exist and how epistemological and intergenerational frictions are negotiated. As climate services become the focus of research and government interventions in vulnerable regions, avoiding culturally and economically expensive mal-adaptation will require giving attention to the complexity and dynamism of changing religious landscapes.

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Culture as a mediator of climate change adaptation: Neither static nor unidirectional

Few

Spear

Singh³

et al. 2020

WIREs Climate Change

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Though there is increasing recognition of the cultural dimensions that shape climate change adaptation, our experience from working with actors engaged in adaptation policy and practice suggests that the role of culture still tends to be conceived in overly narrow and fixed terms. This is exemplified in portrayals of conservative cultural norms as stifling positive change. A growing body of research across the world indicates that the reality is seldom as simple as this—culture works in complex and variable ways, and, most importantly, is inherently dynamic. Drawing especially from research work on vulnerability and adaptation conducted in semi‐arid regions, we illustrate this argument by briefly exploring three themes—multiple knowledge systems for farming in Botswana, the dynamics of pastoralist values and livelihoods in Kenya, and the interplay of caste and livelihood choices in India. Understanding how different facets of culture such as these operate in context helps move away from viewing culture statically as a barrier or enabler, and toward a more plural and dynamic appreciation of the role of culture in adaptation. This includes recognizing the potential for factors that may be construed as barriers to become enablers. Critical, balanced engagement with cultural dimensions in both research and practice, understanding and working with these dynamic social structures, is essential if adaptation is to create meaningful and lasting change for those who need it most. This article is categorized under: Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values‐Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation

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Ethno-meteorology and scientific weather forecasting: Small farmers and scientists’ perspectives on climate variability in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Cited by 72 publications

References 16 publications

Seasonal Climate Prediction and Adaptation Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture Systems in Southern Africa: A Review

Seasonal Climate Prediction and Adaptation Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture Systems in Southern Africa: A Review

Adapting to climate change in shifting landscapes of belief

Culture as a mediator of climate change adaptation: Neither static nor unidirectional

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