Using Traditional Methods and Indigenous Technologies for Coping With Climate Variability

USING TRADITIONAL METHODS AND INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES FOR COPING WITH CLIMATE VARIABILITY

C.J. STIGTER1, ZHENG DAWEI2, L.O.Z. ONYEWOTU3 and MEI XURONG4

1TTMI/African Network & Asian PMP Liaison Ofce, Wageningen University, The Netherlands E-mail: [email protected]

2College of Resources and Environment, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China

3TTMI-Project, Kano out-station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Kano, Nigeria

4Center for Water Resources and Conservation Technologies, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China

Abstract. In agrometeorology and management of meteorology related natural resources, many traditional methods and indigenous technologies are still in use or being revived for managing low external inputs sustainable agriculture (LEISA) under conditions of climate variability. This paper starts with the introduction of an end-to-end climate information build up and transfer system in agrometeorology, in which the use of such methods and technologies must be seen to operate. It then reviews the options that LEISA farmers have in risk management of agrometeorological and agroclimatological calamities. This is based on the role that the pertinent meteorological/climatological parameters and phenomena play as limiting factors in agricultural production and the expectations on their variability. Subsequently, local case studies are given as examples of preparedness strategies to cope with i). variable water/moisture ows, including mechanical impacts of rain and/or hail, ii). variable temperature and heat ows, including res, and iii). tting cropping periods to the varying seasons, everywhere including related phenomena as appropriate. The paper ends with a series of important additional considerations without which the indicated strategies cannot be successful on a larger scale and in the long run.

1. Introduction

In a recent review of agrometeorology in tropical Africa, Olufayo et al. (1998) stated that consequences of climate variability show themselves at any time as the effects of the accumulated weather in the current growing season compared to those of the same period in previous years. There are countless farming communities which managed to survive and, in some cases, even to thrive by exploiting natural resource bases, which their forebears have used for generations (Reijntjes et al., 1992). Through a process of innovation and adaptation, traditional farmers have developed numerous different indigenous farming systems nely tuned to many aspects of their environment (LEISA, 2000). Such risk management strategies were in response to, among others, the limiting conditions of...