Monitoring the Global Framework for Climate Services Trainings of Extension Workers in Longido, Tanzania

MDP Defense & Practicum PresentationBy: Whitney M. Turientine

March 16, 2016

Conclusion

SuggestionsFindingsMethodsContext:

LongidoIntroducti

on

High vulnerability to climate change

Sub-

Saha

ran

Afric

a

Need for livelihood diversification

Pastoralists & Agriculturalists

Climate-smart agriculture

(FAO, 2015)

Relevant, timely climate information

Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)

Agriculture & Food Security

Disaster Risk Reduction

Energy Health Water

GFCS Partners in Longido, Tanzania

Timeline of GFCS Activities in Tanzania

May 2014: National

workshop

September-October 2014: Baseline study

February 2015:Extensionists

trained

March-June 2015:

Farmers & pastoralists

trained

June-July 2015:Extensionists interviewed

August 2015: Initial findings

reportedLate 2015 & Early

2016:More trainings

Case

: Lon

gido

, Ta

nzan

iaSemi-arid district in Maasai Steppe

Rain patterns altered by CC

Huge cattle lossOver 15 million tons of food aid

Rains define seasons

Droughts 2009-2010

(Makangale, 2014)

Practicum Focus

Extension workers utilizing PICSA?

Extension workers encountering challenges?

Improve extension trainings that follow

Understand how GFCS project was progressing on-the-ground

Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA)

Providing and considering climate

and weather information with

farmers – including historical records &

forecasts.

The joint analysis of information on crop,

livelihood, and livestock options and their risks by

field staff & farmers.

A set of participatory tools to enable farmers

to use this information in planning and

decision making for their individual circumstances.

Want more info on PICSA? Visit:

ccafs.cgiar.org/blog

Methods

Semi-structured interviews

w/extension officers

Informal interviews

w/GFCS partners in TZ

Thematic Analysis of interview responses

Selection of Extension Workers

Trained in February 2015 on PICSA

Based in Longido District

Updated & confirmed phone #

Available & reachable by 4x4

Composition of Extension Workers Interviewed

Gender Breakdown

Total # of Extensionists

Trained (n=36)

19 interview

ed

Men=13

Women=6

Inte

rvie

w Th

emes

(CGIAR, 2014)

Utilization of PICSA

Duration of PICSA trainingsTMA & climate info delivery

Challenges facilitating PICSA

Language used

Integration of indigenous knowledge

Key Findings

Utilization of PICSA

techniques

• Two tools–the Participatory Budget (PB) & Resource Allocation Maps (RAM)—presented challenges.

• 10% of extensionists did not understand the PB at all.

• 21% reported lack of transparency amongst farmers & pastoralists when creating RAMs.

Language used to train agents

• 52% of extension workers recommended that subsequent trainings be facilitated completely in KiSwahili, the official language of TZ.

• 42% of agents suggested a mix of English & KiSwahili for subsequent trainings.

• 6% of agents had no comment.

Key Findings

Duration of PICSA trainings

• 84% of extension agents advised that 6 days were too short.

• 16% had no comment.

Integration of indigenous

climate knowledge

• In Longido, many inhabitants employ traditional methods of assessing.

• Agents reported farmer & pastoralist groups did not acknowledge scientific, climate knowledge as accurate.

Key Findings

TMA & climate information

delivery

• All but one agent advised TMA’s info inaccurate.

• 89% of agents reported that climate info from TMA was late.

• Extension workers based closest to Kenyan border never received climate forecasts.

Challenges in facilitating

PICSA

• Agents reported high attrition at farmer/pastoralist trainings.

• Lack of incentives for participants contributing factor.

• Extensionists advised that distinct gender barriers inhibit participation in groups.

Suggestions

Utilization of PICSA:1. Formative & Summative Assessments2. Incorporate facilitation techniques to encourage transparency.

Language:1. Incorporate real-time translations.

Duration of PICSA training:1. Increase beyond one week.2. Incorporate more field visits.3. Provide follow-up trainings.

Suggestions

Integration of indigenous knowledge (IK)1. Perform assessment/analysis IK.2. Include local elders in trainings.3. Acknowledge & incorporate IK.

TMA &climate info delivery1. Utilize SMS.2. Produce down-scaled forecasts.3. Increase timing of TMA portion of trainings.

Challenges in facilitating PICSA1. Incorporate gender modules.2. Partner with WFP to incentivize attendance.

(CGIAR, 2014)Conc

ludi

ng R

emar

ks

Overall PICSA useful

Relevance & timeliness important

Best practices from Sahel

Tool to aid in diversificationIntegration of indigenous knowledge

Acknowledgements

• Committee Members (Sandra Russo & Renata Serra)• CCAFS and implementing partners• Project Tembo• Longido District Council• My host-mom (seriously!!!)• Sixbert Mwanga, GFCS in Tanzania• Friends & Family