The Climate Change Adaptation and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) - CHAI - Project

Uganda has about 1,000 weather stations (only 60 of which are fully functional), and using them to gather weather information for timely dissemination has been a challenge. CHAI collects rainfall and market data from the sub-counties in the 3 intervention districts, which is then sent directly to a server at the Department of Meteorology for analysis. From there, the data is sent back to the districts, where it is translated and contextualised for the local population. The system includes mobile-phone-based tools for gathering weekly crop and livestock market information from 46 local market outlets and daily weather data from 22 rural weather stations. This information is then disseminated via local FM radio broadcasts, mobile phones, print media, community loudspeakers, and community meetings with local authorities. The up-to-date information reaches over 100,000 farmers across the districts of Nakasongola, Soroti, and Sembabule, with the fourth district, Rakai, being the control. Information includes a 10-day weather forecast, a 3-month seasonal forecast, weather warnings, and information about low-cost adaptation measures such as water saving techniques. Both weather and market data sets are transmitted via the cellular network and integrated into a database on a server installed by the project at the Meteorology Authority in Kampala, where the weekly reports are generated. Forecasters at the Meteorology Authority have access to daily rainfall data on a secure website developed by the project. The service also includes current information on market prices, which helps farmers decide when and where to sell their products. CHAI has also linked farmers to "action resources": agencies that can provide them with additional information, financial support, and access to services that can assist with implementing the acquired knowledge.

The researchers found that, for the project to work, it was critical to build trust with farming and herding communities. Local chiefs, priests, and other authority figures who helped by sharing the information through their own channels. This reinforced the credibility of the information and encouraged farmers to use it.

Information also flowed both ways. Through SMS (short message service or text messaging) and call-in radio shows, local residents were able to give their feedback and/or share information about local conditions.

Mid-line and end-line surveys, involving 640 households in each survey, were conducted to assess changes in households' adaptive capacity over time. In addition, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with community leaders and local community support organisations. Crop prices in local market outlets were used to calculate the monetary value of crop loss due to drought in the 4 districts.

See below for an audio slideshow and an interview with the Principal Investigator.

Climate Change, Food Security

Agriculture, which accounts for over 40% of Uganda’s GDP, employs 80% of the labour force, and supplies 85% of exports, is primarily rain-fed, making it vulnerable to drought. The effects of higher average temperatures and more frequent and severe climatic changes in Uganda are seen primarily in the reduction in food security, decline in the quantity and quality of water and degradation of ecosystems, and negative impacts on health, settlements, and infrastructure. Uganda's "cattle corridor" is a dry belt that runs through the middle of the country and comprises 40% of its land area. It is a major agricultural zone and critical for cattle herders who graze their animals there. The region is also struggling with extreme weather events, social conflict over land, and increasing water shortages.

A study conducted by the project showed that up to 93% of the farmers in the participating districts found the actions they took based on this information to be effective for minimising risks and increasing agricultural productivity. As a direct result of the project, crop loss and damage has been reduced by 67% (US$226-$325 per household per year). In October 2015, this project received a United Nations' Momentum for Change climate change award (see #5).

Hellen Mary, a farmer in Soroti district, said "I have access to seasonal and 10 day weather forecasts, crop and livestock market information, advice on what crops to plant, and guidance on rainwater harvesting. With this, I am able to know which crops to plant at what time. This has helped me to minimize the loss and damage of my crops." Hellen notes that based on the lessons from CHAI, she built contours in her garden to maximise water infiltration, set up shade to block direct sunshine, and made informed decisions about what, where, and how much of her agricultural commodities to sell.

The project is designed in such a way that it is generic and customisable enough to be easily replicated in other countries. The core part of the system, including the SMS engine, reporting modules, data collection, and transmission platform, do not change when deployed in different setting. All components of the system are based on widely used open-source applications and can be used by any institution/country without the need to obtain licenses and subscription fees. The project is developing documentation to enable the customisation of the system by interested parties including the ability to reconfigure the user interfaces, user rights and privileges, external interoperability points, administrative and user management options, and the option to add modules without changing the core elements of the system.