On 30 January 2019, the University of Leeds in partnership with the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) launched the GCRF-AFRICAP knowledge-sharing seminar and webinar series. The main objective of the webinar series is to give GCRF-AFRICAP team members across all partner organisations and guest speakers in relevant areas the opportunity to present their work and discuss cross-cutting issues related to implementation. As such, it is open to audiences across the GCRF-AFRICAP network and beyond.
The inaugural seminar/webinar took place at the University of Leeds and was led by three GCRF-AFRICAP Research Fellows: Dr Harriet Smith, Dr Joseph Galani and Dr Sarah Chapman who presented on methodological approaches used in the programme. The emphasis of the session was around finding ways of addressing challenges in relation to conducting household surveys (e.g. taking into consideration people`s preferences, cultural beliefs and respecting their privacy) and climate modelling (including selecting and validating regional models). It was attended by over 90 participants, including 30 live attendees in the room at Leeds and 62 attending remotely from 22 countries.
Summary
Dr Smith and Dr Galani presented on the development and design of the GCRF-AFRICAP household vulnerability survey which has been piloted in Malawi and is due to be implemented in the programme’s four focal countries (Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia) in 2019. The aim of the household survey is to evaluate the vulnerability and resilience of farming households to climate change considering the present nature of agriculture and food systems as well as food safety and nutrition security. With a sample size of 1600 households (400 per country), the survey will use an interdisciplinary approach to ensure this range of subject areas is covered adequately. The questionnaire has been translated into the local language of the area where the survey will be conducted and all data will be electronically captured through an online programme that syncs to a central server.
Dr Chapman presented on the performance of climate models in representing average and extreme rainfall in Tanzania, and the use of satellite data for model validation. The aim of the climate science work within GCRF-AFRICAP is to identify the main drivers of climate; climate aspects affecting agriculture; changes in future climate and the mechanisms behind changing climate. Before looking at future climate, however, there is a need to look into how the models are performing currently. The climate science team are using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite data for information on the climate patterns but these data products are not perfect. These were some of the issues addressed in Dr Chapman’s presentation. And if you’re new to this, hop over to our blog where Dr Chapman gives us the 101 on climate modelling…
Missed out?
Fear not! You can listen to the webinar recording and download the presentations. Our next seminar/webinar takes place on Wednesday 27 February at 1pm GMT / 3pm CAT & SAST / 4pm EAT. Register here.
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