Abstract:
Extension agrometeorology is applied in agrometeorological extension work to
advice and serve farmers. In agrometeorology, response farming has been developed decades
ago. Climate change complicates response farming, but does not alter it. This paper reports
on new operationalization of that response farming in new educational commitments in
agroclimatology. It is explained how “Science Field Shops” are an example in Indonesia.
This was based on a thorough analysis of what climate change means for farmers in Asia.
For Africa, we report on eying the training of agrometeorological extension trainers
(“product intermediaries”) in West Africa, based on a thorough analysis of what climate
change means for farmers in Africa. We also compare experience with reaching farmers in South Africa and farmer communities in Zambia, as new forms of supporting response
farming, all under conditions of a changing climate. The paper, for the first time, connects
results from four different programs the senior author is taking part in. There is first and
foremost the need for training material to make it possible for the product intermediaries to
participate in training extension intermediaries. This should, particularly, bring new
knowledge to farmers. With what is presently available and with new approaches, climate
extension should be developed and tested with farmers in ways that improve farmer
preparedness and decision making.
