Status of mitigation and adaptation strategies with respect to impacts of climate change/ variability and natural disasters in agriculture - WMO RA I By: Mr. Bernard E. Gomez Principal Meteorologist Department of Water Resources Banjul, The Gambia Tel: (220) /

Presentation Plan Strategies of Adaptation to climate change/ variability in Agriculture Mitigation & Adaptation Strategies with respect to Natural Disasters (Tropical storms; flooding; thunderstorms - lightning & hailstorms; drought; dust/sandstorms; volcanic eruptions; earthquakes & tsunamis; bush/forest fires)

Adaptation strategies in agriculture Activities in the sector are mostly at the subsistence level, thus highly exposing the sector to climate fluctuations - therefore adaptation may require the intervention of governments & other highly organised stakeholders

Adaptation options in Agric Use of new cultivars adapted to environment Devt of irrigation (full/complementary) Optimal use of crop calendar Crop diversification Facilities for processing & storage Enhance soil fertility Develop EWS on natural disasters Maximize production in climate favourable areas to offset deficits Encourage big holders likely to harness science & technology

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - tropical storms Impacts: –direct damage to vegetation & livestock by winds, heavy rain & flooding from seawater –Long-term loss of soil fertility due to salinity –Loss of human life –Time losses for work in the sector Mitigation/Adaptation: –Good EWS & sensitised communities –Change in land use in hazard prone areas –Undertake risk zone mapping & analysis of land use pattern –Encourage protective actions (afforestation etc.)

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Flooding Impacts: –Impoverishment of soils –Asphyxiation of vegetation –Obstruction of mgmt practices –Loss of human life –Damage to machinery and infrastructure Mitigation/Adaptation: –Proper recording of events in order to create database for planning & prediction –Basic flood protection (structural & EW) –Loss prevention (conventional & non- conventional)

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Lightning Impacts: –Fires in forests, buildings, stores etc. –Loss of human life –Damage to electrical appliances Mitigation/Adaptation: –Public sensitisation on dangers & avoidance measures –Use of lightning rods

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Hailstorms Impacts: –Damage to roofs & greenhouses –Damage to vegetation –Threat to livestock Mitigation/Adaptation: –Nets to cover crops –Sheltering livestock in built-up structures

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Drought Impacts: –Famine, leading to loss of life –Conflicts over water & pastures –Land degradation –Increased potential for forest/bush/grass fires –Loss of genetic material Mitigation/Adaptation: –Continuous monitoring of hydromet parameters to provide EW info –GIS to locate vulnerable communities/areas –Water control measures –Moisture conservation –Economic diversification –Develop irrigation

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - dust/sandstorms Impacts: –Direct and indirect damage to crops –Soil impoverishment due to wind erosion –Damage to farm machinery Mitigation/Adaptation: –Field afforestation (wind breaks etc.) –Strip cultivation in areas with intensive wind erosion –Alternating fallow land with strips of grain crops

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Bushfires Impacts: –Direct/indirect loss of human life –Soil degradation –Increase risk of wet season flooding –Release GHGs –Reduced abundance of fauna and flora –Threat to human health Mitigation/Adaptation: –Prevention is most effective strategy (firebreaks, removal of dead stands, zoning of land use to avoid accidental fires, etc.)

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to earthquakes/tsunamis, volcanoes - agric Impacts: –flooding of coastal areas with saline water –Destruction of vegetation –Loss of life & livelihoods Mitigation/Adaptation: –Hazard zone mapping –Land use planning

Thank you for your attention!