LESOTHO

Lesotho: Enabling Activities for the Implementation of the United Nations Frame-work Convention on Climate

Change 1996-2000

S.P. Raboqha

V&A Assessment (Sectors)

AgricultureWaterForestryRangelandsSoils & DesertificationBiodiversityHealthCulture

Overall Challenges

Organizational:

1. Identification of Experts (National Study Team)

2. Working Arrangements (Sectoral Technical Task Team) vis Coordinator

Technical Challenges

Requirements for Extensive input DATA.

1. Lack of data

2. Poor quality Data

3. Data not in format required by V&A tools

4. Data Collection & Processing took ~ 70% of project time.

Agriculture Methodology: DSSAT 3.0Climate Scenarios: CCCM, GFDL,GISS,UKHICrops: Maize, Sorghum, Beans Input DATA: soil crop climate Simulations done for field but conclusions to be drawn are

for country dimension (NOT considerate of agro-ecological zones of the country.)

SOLUTION ADOPTED: Identification of area representative of 4 broad agro-ecological zones)

Consideration of Climatic Extremes (Drought, Floods)

Approach adopted: Run DSSAT for 3 cycles: Normal, Wet & Dry Years, these need input data be created these cycles for the Climate Scenarios.

Cultivar: Local cultivar to be simulated not in DSSAT Data base.

Solution: Adopted cultivar closer by characteristics to local brands.

DSSAT Limitations (Queries)

Risks of Hail, Frosts, Birds etc not examined.Temperature biased: Warmer conditions translate into

yield growth although precipitation is minimal.Shifting of Planting Dates result in marked

differences in yields & is not consistent with shift in seasonality (Maize).

DSSAT does not capture indegenous agricultural practices.

Lack of integrated approach.Economic indicators.

GEF Review results

Organizational issues: GoodTechnical: Excellent

Conclusions:

Data collection & Processing to be continuous & be supported under UNFCCC.

Research & related studies to be supported.