Call for Proposal: START Grants for GECRA

START announces the Call for Proposals for the 2009/2010 START Grants for Global Environmental Change Research in Africa. A proposal is to be prepared using a special application form available at the START website.

Due date for Proposals is: 30 August 2009.

For more information, click HERE  or contact the undersigned:

Charles S. Kauffman
International START Secretariat
2000 Florida Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC, 20009, USA
Tel: +1-202-462-2213
Fax: +1-202-457-5859
cskauffman@agu.org

CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE: CTA TV PROGRAMME IN TANZANIA

The Centre for Technical Cooperation in Agriculture and Rural Development (CTA) has planned for telecasting its film on Climate Change and Agriculture across countries in Africa being a part of the TV programme Initiatives Africa. According to the programme coordinator,Yodit Kebede, the broadcasting of the programme in Tanzania is planned to take place on Monday 24th November 2008 from 19hrs and Sunday, 30th November 2008 from 16h30 through the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC1). The film shall also be aired through Channel 10 on Friday 28th November 2008 from 20h30. The same programme shall be repeated during the week of 8th December 2008.

CTA Seminar: Fourth and Fifth Day

The seminar has been closed this afternoon by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulics and Fisheries of the Republic of Burkina Faso. Before the closing ceremony, Prof MVK Sivakumar from the World Meteorological Organization read the Ouagadougou declaration, one of the outputs of the seminar. The declaration recommended many steps to addressing climate change. Among the principle recommendations are:
1. Urgent implementation of climate change adaptation measures in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
2. Ensure timely provision of agro-meteorological forecasts and products.
3. Develop rigorous research and policy analysis.
4. Ensure adequate and consistent funding for climate change adaptation.
5. Establish task forces in different ACP regions for follow-up actions.

Yesterday, the 30th October 2008, the participants divided themselves in three groups and visited three different sites where climate adaptation measures have been successful. The sites are between 15 and 30 km away from the city centre. I joined the biophysical group to visit the Manamfian forest. The site is located in the Northern part of Burkina Faso, about 26 km from Ouagadougou along the Ouagadougou – Ouahigouya road. This is an example of community management of a village project. According to the forest manager “commitment by the population alone is not enough. There is a need to develop common-agreed sanctions against offenders”.

For more information visit the seminar website

CTA Seminar: Second and Third Day

The second day has been the busiest day for the participants. Before this date, there were two important events: presentation of lead papers (cross cutting issues) chaired by Prof Sivakumar (WMO) and Panel session chaired by Rod Harbinson (Panos London). More about these sessions and summary of the first day activities visit the seminar webpage at http://ctaseminar2008.cta.int

The second day began by presentation of three papers under panel session on impact of livestock carbon emission on climate change. The session was chaired by DR Pierre Gerber from FAO. The session was followed by parallel sessions defined by the four themes of the seminar: cropping systems, agro-pastoral system, biophysical issues and socio-economic issues. More than 40 papers were presented in these sessions. Poster presentation followed with more than 20 posters available for the participants to read and get clarifications from the presenters. During this day, I had interview by Aveseh Asough of Radio Netherlands.

 

With Professor M.V.K. Sivakumar of WMO after my presentation. 

The third day began by presentation of information and communication strategies in a session chaired by Dr Neun, the Director of CTA. Six papers were presented and discussed by the participants. Details can be found from the seminar website. The early morning session was followed by working group session were participants in their theme groups worked on the theme specific outcomes expected from the seminar.

CTA Seminar Opened Today

I have arrived safely in Ouagadougou on the 26th October 2008. Today, the seminar has been officially opened by the Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulics and Fisheries of the Republic of Burkina Faso Mr Laurent Sedogo. The event was also attended and addressed by the representative of EU in Burkina Faso Dr Amos Tincani, Director of CTA Dr Hansjorg Neun and the Deputy Executive of Sectretary of CLISS Mr Issa Bikienga. The Director of UNEP, Dr Achim Steiner addressed the participants through a video link. More information to be posted soon.

CTA SEMINAR ON IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) will host a 5 day seminar on

implications of global climate change for sustainable agricultural production in ACP countries

in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 26th to 31st October 2008. The objectives of the seminar are to:

(i) Raise the awareness of policy makers and rural communities about the way in which climate change is affecting agricultural and rural development;

(ii) Identify the information and communication needs of decision makers and rural communities so they can protect their livelihood systems against climate change;

(iii) Identify strategies that will meet the information needs of policy makers and rural communities in ACP countries.

I am invited to attend this seminar and shall try to post something about the presentations and other activities. You can view the detailed programme here