This report presents final findings from the baseline data collection exercise conducted for the
Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) Adaptation Programme in Africa. The GFCS
programme seeks to improve climate services for agriculture, food security, heath and disaster
risk reduction in Tanzania and Malawi. Under the auspices of this GFCS project, the CGIAR
research program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is responsible
to support baseline data collection and monitoring and evaluation to evaluate climate services
for farmers and pastoralists in both countries. The purpose of this report is to inform national
partners on farmers’ current needs and access to climate information services.
Households interviewed in Malawi are mostly crop farmers, and have access to conventional
climate information. However, they rely more on indigenous knowledge, personal experience
and traditional cropping calendar than on climate information for their farm decision-making.
Respondents would like to receive more advice about improved cropping practices, and better
communication of climate information through village meetings and in their local languages.
The climate information farmers would like to receive includes forecasts of extreme events,
onset of the rains, seasonal rainfall, daily weather, and pest and diseases. These forecasts
should be timely. Seasonal forecasts should be available preferably months before the start of
the season to allow farmers to integrate them in their farm management decisions. The
preferred communication channels were visits from extension agents, radio messages and
SMS in cell phones. Farmers trust information from government extension agents, radio
presenters and NGOs. Women particularly trust NGO workers.
Keywords
Climate Services; Baseline Survey; Monitoring & Evaluation; Malawi; Africa; Gender
Equity.