Agrometeorological Services and Information for Decision Making: Some Examples from Africa and China

Abstract

Solving problems with agrometeorological components in respect to marginal farmers' livelihoods needs the highest operational use of agrometeorology by applying agrometeorological services that support the decisions and actions of such producers and policy-makers in agricultural production. The results of the African/Dutch TTMI-project have shown that it is possible to make a difference to the livelihood of farmers with agrometeorological knowledge. Initial work in which the APM-project became involved in 1997 in China confirms such findings. There are also shortcomings and missing links from which we can learn. They particularly relate to dissemination and absorption of design rules at farm level and to upscaling the application of results. The above is illustrated with work on hedgerow intercropping on sloping land, to reduce soil and water runoff from soil erosion in eastern Kenya, and strengthened by experiences on grassland in south-west China. It is also illustrated from wind erosion reduction in Inner Mongolia, China, and strengthened by results on combating desertification using trees and grasses in central Sudan. Both cases suffer from quantification problems. It is finally illustrated by design work on millet intercropping systems and improved water and nutrient use efficiency in northern Nigeria. The above examples confirm earlier published results also mentioned here.