Group communication (WA)

Group Communication (WA) Title: Communicating Agroclimatic Information in West Africa Goal: – Problems to be addressed: communication gap between agroclimatic information producers and users (most of farmers do not receive climate information), language, inappropriate form of the information (too technical sometimes), insufficient communication ways, …. – Farmers benefits: better crop management, Improvement of yield, Increase of incomes, Increase of awareness of climate importance in Agriculture – Where: West Africa from Regional to local level

Group Communication (WA) Indicators of success: Number of farmers reached, number of feedbacks received, Yield increase, number of radio broadcasts, number of agreements with cell phone companies Good practices discussed in the workshop: – To be incorporated: ref: summary of the five thematic working group – How to involve farmers: participatory approach (seminars, valorization of farmers knowledge, two ways communication flow, use of green lines…) – Gender challenges: women illiteracy, low incomes, men have the radio in the family most of the time – Synergy with on-going programs: NAPAs, METAGRI,CCAFS, national platforms in GFC initiatives, IWG (GTP),

Group Communication (WA) Getting started and next steps: – Identification of partners: Meteorological services, extension and central services in rural development, farmers organizations, farm radios and other media, cell phone companies, donors, local authorities – Institutional arrangement: Meteorological Services as leaders – Human resources: experts at local, national, and regional levels in a south-south partnership way – Timeline: at least 5 years – financial issues: Cannot be estimated at this step