Abstract

Based on outcomes of the 54th Climate Outlook Forum for the Greater Horn of Africa (GHACOF54) in Mombasa, Kenya in 2020, and the review of the state of the global climate system, that highlighted gaps in the way weather forecast information is presented, disseminated, and utilized by various actors in agriculture value chains. AICCRA – Eastern and Southern Africa in partnership with SNV and the Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) Project for Eastern Africa convened critical stakeholders (climate scientists, weather information services providers, and consumers) on weather information to generate a discussion on the key aspects of weather information that would facilitate access, comprehension and usability of seasonal forecasts. 65 participants took part in the workshop – of which, 25 were women and 8 were youths. The outcome of this workshop was to facilitate: (i) reflection on consequences of the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) 2020 outlook forecast/report on stakeholders in the CRAFT value chains (i.e., Potato, Soybean, and sesame), (ii) reformulation or contextualization of forecast and its narratives on a case-by-case basis for value chain actors along the four CRAFT commodity value chains, (iii) reflection on the most appropriate platform(s) through which seasonal forecast information can be disseminated to targeted actors, (iv) reflection on the possibility of disseminating weather forecast information as a service bundled together with agro-insurance services and (v) reaching an agreement on a framework and protocol through which subsequent weather forecast information from UNMA can be sustainably processed to more usable levels