%O The CODE-WA author team wants to
recognise funding by theGerman Federal
Ministry for Economic Cooperation
and Development (BMZ) and McKnight
Foundation, GIZ and BEAF for administrative
support, and all national research
partners and local farmer organisations
for cooperation, practical and cognitive
input.
%K agro-phytodiversity, farmer exchange visit, participatory research, scientific
approach, varietal diversity.
%A L Herrmann
%A B I Gabriela
%A T van Mourik
%A P C S Traore
%A H M Oumarou
%A K Traore
%A Mahama Ouedraogo
%A J Naab
%I John Libbey Eurotext
%V 24
%L icrisat7692
%J Secheresse
%P 294-303
%D 2013
%X Climate 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.
%T Coping with climate variability and change in research for development targeting West Africa: Need for paradigm changes