Dissemination and On-Farm Use of the Seasonal Forecast and Other Climate Services in Southwest Niger

Continuous improvement of the skills of seasonal forecasts in West Africa over decades has made the forecast information a potential on-farm decision-making tool to mitigate climate risks in agriculture, and a highly potential adaptation strategy to climate change side effects in the agricultural sector. This study assesses the current use of seasonal forecast products at the farm level, the farmers’ perception of the seasonal forecast products, and how those products are disseminated to identify strategies to increase farmers’ use of climate services in general and forecast information in particular. A sample of 619 farmers was interviewed through a survey conducted in November - December 2022 in 16 villages located within 4 municipalities (Guéchémé, Tounouga, Kiota, and N’Dounga) in the Southwest of Niger. Information about the proportion of farmers receiving and using forecast information, farmers’ perception of the forecast products, and information dissemination channels, were collected and analyzed. The perspectives for conducting further research through on-farm demonstration trials with a view of assessing the possible gains in using the forecast information were explored as well. Findings from the survey data analysis showed a low proportion (42%) of farmers receiving agroclimatic information and 62% of the respondents receiving the information found it useful to very useful. For the forecast information communication ways, 81% of farmers receiving the information got it through radio broadcast, and 49% of the total sample recommended radio as the fastest and most effective means of dissemination way, though 29% preferred receiving the information via the village chief. Therefore, Radio broadcast remains the best option for disseminating seasonal forecast information to farmers. Strategies to engage smallholders for more use of forecast information could focus on radio mode, the ICT, and community leaders for timely dissemination of the information. Seasonal forecast information would be more beneficial to farming operations if they were integrated with other adaptative technologies such as high potential yield crops and varieties, research selected varieties, fertilizers, and good practices.