1. Situational Analysis: participatory methods with farmers
Gloria Otieno,
Bioversity International
Cotonou, 16-19th December 2015

2. Why ?
Analyze with farmers what is happening in their local environment and their perceptions in relation to climate change.
Document the effects of climate change
Participatory evaluation of coping strategies,
profile of their crop diversity.
Analyze institutional dynamics in the farming community.
Facilitate a participatory adaptation planning process with the community.
Implementation of priority actions

3. step 1:Farmers’ perceptions on climate change

4. Perceptions influences risk assessment &risk assessment influences decisions

5. Possible indicators at farmer level
Related to the weather
Overall warming in the year
Earlier beginning of the rainy season (s)
Earlier beginning of summer
Longer duration of summer
Warmer winter
Short duration of winter
Less annual rainfall
Rainfall has become unpredictable
Rainfall has become heavier

6. Other possible indicators related to agriculture & indigenous knowledge
Earlier flowering
Earlier sprouting of shoots
Earlier arrival of birds, ants,
Some wild plant species are moving higher up the mountains or disappearing
Some wild animals are moving higher up the mountains or disappearing
Some crops can now be cultivated at higher altitudes
Some crops can no longer be cultivated in the valley
News weed species are coming up
New pests and diseases are occurring in crops & livestock
Some varieties no longer perform well and disappearing

7. Comparing actual perceptions with Meteorological data
Trends
Weather related shocks
Corroborate information
Significance????

9. Step 2: Analyzing risks and coping strategies
Coping /Adaptation strategies
Reduced yields
Increased incidences of pests and disease
Loss of genetic diversity
Loss of livelihoods
Food insecurity
Switching to other crops
Switching to other varieties
Irrigation
Early/late planting
Switching to other livelihood activities eg labour, trade, crafts
Food aid

10. Step 3: Analyzing crop and varietal Diversity: Four cell analysis (FCA)
To measure the abundance (richness) and distribution (evenness) of local crop diversity
To identify common, unique and rare/endangered varieties or species
To understand and document reasons why each variety is in a dynamic state within  a
community and to enhance knowledge for potential intervention

11. Method: Focus Group discussion
Gender disaggregated and can be done at varietal level

13. Step 4: Ranking farmers’ varieties
Based on farmers’ own ranking of traits
Early maturity
Drought resistance
Cooking time
Taste
Yield
***marketability

14. Scoring/Ranking Matrix for Rice Varieties with Associated Traits at Tentulipar Village, Jeypore)

15. Step 5: Who are the stakeholders?
Identify relationships between stakeholders working in the communities
In context of resilience – organizations providing improved seed, or varietal testing or agricultural extension
Services eg credit
**** helps to select partners for adaptation

16. Step 6 :Adaptation planning
A combination of decisions based on all of the above steps
Based on this week’s training

17. Reference Sites and crops
Bonou - Maize
Tori - Cassava