Climate information services – which provide timely weather information to farmers in a useful format – are helping farmers across sub-Saharan Africa manage risks.

An article on Global Post summarizes results of a study by the CGIAR's research program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) into how climate information services are being delivered and used.

The study found that several countries in sub-Saharan Africa are providing millions of farmers with these services, through community radio stations, government meteorological services, religious groups, agriculture extension agents, schools and farmers themselves.

The receipt of timely and tailored information helps farmers make decisions that take advantage of good conditions to boost production or prevent losses from adverse condition such as droughts and floods. The advice they receive includes information about when they should plant, when to apply fertilizer and which seeds to sow; helping farmers boost productivity.

“Combined with other climate-smart interventions such as rainwater harvesting, agroforestry, and livelihoods diversification, climate information services can help farmers cope with the negative impacts of climate variability and change, and take advantage of good conditions by confidently investing in their fields,” says the article.

In Nyangi, Kenya, a new climate information service has enabled farmers to harvest 3 to 4 times as much maize and sorghum as in the past.

CCAFS says the success of climate information services relies on the involvement of farmers in their development.

Read the full story: Africa adopts new initiative to help farmers tackle climate risks