Improved access to reliable and timely information on seasonal climate is critical in the face of prevailing climatic and environmental changes with adverse impacts to agriculture. Food producers and farmers therefore require improved information on climate to make informed decisions. This project on Climate Smart Agriculture is facilitating the use of seasonal climate information in Papua New Guinea farming communities to inform food production decisions and by doing so improve food security outcomes for rural communities.
The project is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and implemented in partnership between ACIAR, DAL, Climate Change and Development Authority, CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Fresh Produce Development Agency, National Agricultural Research Institute, Phloem 3 Pty Ltd, PNG National Weather Service, Sustineo Pty Ltd and the University of Goroka. The 4-year project, valuing AUD$ 2.6 million runs from March 2019 to December 2023.
Expected outcomes
- Social network maps of knowledge dissemination pathways, as well as community information requirements for both men and women.
- Seasonal climate information tailored to community requirements and operationalised via the PNG NWS.
- A climate-smart agriculture program tailored for use by NARI, the DAL and FPDA to disseminate to other communities to foster adoption of climate resilience farming practices.
- Field trial sites managed using the SCF information with comparison of farmer “best practise” to demonstrate production benefits.
- The establishment of the forecast forum with NARI, DAL, FPDA and a host of Government agencies, facilitated by the CCDA, to examine options to scale the SCF extension activities.
For more information, visit the project site through this link.