http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/37452 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:26:33 GMT 2013-05-22T06:26:33Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/48747 Title: Characteristics of snail farmers and constraints to increased production in West and Central Africa Authors: Ngenwi, A.A.; Mafeni, J.M.; Etchu, K.A.; Oben, F.T. Abstract: Snail gathering/rearing is an important source of livelihood for rural dwellers in the humid forest and derived savanna zones of West and Central Africa. Recently, declining populations of Archachatina archachatina and Archachatina marginata species is being observed, with climatic conditions and changes in land use implicated as causal factors. However, these claims are still to be ascertained. A study was carried out to characterize snail farmers, identify constraints to increased snail production and suggest strategies required to conserve edible snail species and sustain livelihoods. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used for data collection in selected locations in Cameroon and Ghana. Descriptive statistics (means and percentages) was used to summarize the data obtained. The results indicate that snail farmers are predominantly women with basic school level of education. Between 42 and 62% of rural income is derived from sale of snails. Causes of declining snail populations were attributed to habitat loss through deforestation, overexploitation, indiscriminate harvesting, climate change - indicated by extremely high temperatures and low rainfall, high dependence on agricultural chemicals (herbicides and pesticides) and lack of training on improved snail husbandry. A holistic approach to biodiversity conservation and capacity building of current and wouldbe snail farmers is suggested to increase snail supply in markets. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/48747 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/48744 Title: Climate forecasting to serve communities in West Africa Authors: Tall, A. Abstract: The recent Red Cross experience acting on forecasts in west Africa provides examples of how climate information can be linked to decisions and serve development in low-income regions, and how climate and weather forecasts may become useful to communities at risk from climatic events, provided that the obstacles thwarting these communities’ access to and use of forecasts are clearly identified and overcome. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/48744 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/48743 Title: Local climate forcing and eco-climatic complexes in the wooded savannah of Western Nigeria Authors: Fasona, Mayowa; Tadross, Mark; Abiodun, Babatunde; Omojola, Ademola Abstract: Many climate impact applications are sensitive to local differentials in the climate system. This study investigates how eco-geographic factors influence the local climate and propagate eco-climatic complexes that vary spatio-temporally. Local geography data including elevation, slope, aspect, rainfall, temperature, vegetation, population density, and soil potential for agriculture were integrated and analyzed using geographic information system and principal component analysis. The result was profiled for local climate drivers and associated spatial structures in present and future cli-mate (2046-2065) scenarios. The results suggest a local climate system driven by the coupling between terrain, rainfall and temperature in all seasons. In the present climate, this coupling creates eco-climatic complexes that extend from the southeast to northwest corridor in all seasons except June-July-August (JJA) when it is shifted to the northeast axis. This pattern is projected to continue in the future climate scenario, but its spatial influence and intensity would weaken around the northwest axis and rainfall will become less significant in the system in JJA. The clustering of rural settle-ments these complexes suggests the climate-positives produced by the system significantly support rural livelihoods. Thus, these eco-climatic complexes represent climate sensitive natural resource systems that should be targeted as a fulcrum for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the wooded savannah. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/48743 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/46451 Title: Farmers’ perceptions of climate change and cariability and existing opportunities for adaptation in Wenchi Area of Ghana Authors: Adjei-Nsiah, S.; Issaka, R.N.; Fening, J.O.; Mapfumo, P.; Anchirina, V.; Giller, K. E. Abstract: Climate change is increasingly emerging as the most significant environmental threat to sustainability of human livelihoods in Ghana, as in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. A participatory research study initiated in 2007 in Wenchi, Ghana, shows that farmers consider poor rainfall distribution and frequent droughts as the most commonly observed indicators of climatic variability in recent times. About 55% of the farmers considered 1980s as the decade of worst observed adverse weather events, and poor rainfall distribution was mentioned as the most observed adverse weather event by about 70% of the respondents. Farmers have responded to these adverse weather events by making changes in their farming practices. These changes included increased crop diversification such as planting of early maturing crops, use of drought tolerant crop varieties and planting of different crop varieties as well as escaping sensitive crop stages through crop management practices that ensure that critical crop growth stages do not coincide with harsh climatic conditions in the growing season. Early planting was the strategy frequently used by majority (34%) of the farmers, followed by the use of agro-chemicals (18%) and planting of early maturing crops (16%). Emerging priority areas for research include development of appropriate cropping systems to improve soil fertility and enhance sustainable production, and to develop appropriate soil and crop management practices for cassava-based cropping systems in order to improve yields and cooking quality of cassava, a major staple food for the people of Wenchi. Poor access to climate information and knowledge on crop management technologies is a major factor influencing the responsiveness of farmers to any externally introduced adaptation options. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/46451 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/46032 Title: Lack of resilience in African smallholder farming : exploring measures to enhance the adaptive capacity of local communities to pressure climate change : final technical report - Zimbabwe (October 2010) Authors: Mapfumo, Paul; Chikowo, Regis; Mtambanengwe, Florence Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/46032 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z