Coping with climate variability and change in research for development targeting West Africa: Need for paradigm changesLHerrmannauthorB IGabrielaauthorTvan MourikauthorP C STraoreauthorH MOumarouauthorKTraoreauthorMahamaOuedraogoauthorJNaabauthorClimate change and variability impact on agriculture in the West African Semi-Arid Tropics (WASAT). At present WASAT farmers are most concerned by climate variability which shows the greatest consequences towards the northern drier end of the region. Relative variability, number of existential droughts, species loss and variety turnover are highest there. This paper presents experiences made and approaches developed in the framework of a Research for Development (R4D) project aiming at preparing WASAT farmers to deal with climate constraints. It is argued that agro-phytodiversity management is a reasonable approach to deal with climate variability but that it needs better social organisation to conserve a sufficient number of crops and varieties. Optimised participation and empowerment of farmers in the R4D continuum leads to faster progress with respect to innovation testing, adaptation and sustainable adoption.Climate Change2013John Libbey EurotextArticle