SECTION E CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT - UCT
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SECTION E
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Table of content
SECTION E
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Section Paper Title first update last update
E1 Individuals 2016 2018
E2 Institutions 2015 2018
E3 Communities 2015 2018
E1. Individual - capacity
development
Authors
All
Update
Last update
2018 April, annual report (del.10)
Students 1
Summary statistics 2
Research topics 2
Mrs Amukelani E. Hlaiseka 2
Miss Feroza Morris 3
Mrs Khululwa N. Xoxo 3
Mr Martin M. Chari 5
Mr Siyabusa Mkuhlani 6
Mr Farirai Rusere 6
Mr Tshimangadzo Mutheiwana 7
Miss Luleka Dlamini 8
Researchers 10
Workshop/Training attended 10
1. Students
Student name and Country
# Gender Race Degree University
Surname of Origin
South
1 Amukelani E. Hlaiseka Female Black MRDV University of Venda
Africa
South
2 Feroza Morris Female Black PhD University of KwaZulu-Natal
Africa
South
3 Khululwa N. Xoxo Female Black MSc University of FortHare
Africa
4 Martin M. Chari Male Black PhD University of FortHare Zimbabwe
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 1/15
6 Siyabusa Mkuhlani Male Black PhD University of Cape Town Zimbabwe
Tshimangadzo South
7 Male Black MSc University of Venda
Mutheiwana Africa
8 Farirai Rusere Male Black PhD University of Cape Town Zimbabwe
South
9 Luleka Dlamini Female Black Hons University of Cape Town
Africa
1.1. Summary statistics
Gender Male Female
4 4
Race Black Other
8 0
Degree PhD Master Hons
4 3 1
University UCT UniVen UFH UKZN
2 2 1
Country of Origin South Africa Africa Other
5 3 0
2. Research topics
Mrs Amukelani E. Hlaiseka
Degree Masters in Rural Development
First registration 2016
Expected graduation September 2018
Institution University of Venda
Supervisor(s) Prof J. Francis and Mrs M.A. Mathaulula
Title Indigenous Approaches To Forecasting Rainfall For Adaptation Of
Bambara Nuts (Vigna Subterranea) Production Practices In Selected
Villages Of Vhembe District
Progress Report Draft dissertation completed. Reviewed by supervisors once. Corrections
effected and resubmitted to supervisors for further review. Dissertation
to be submitted for examination by 30 April 2018.
Research Summary Increasingly, people are relying on both the print and electronic media for
climate information that climate scientists/forecasters observe and
update regularly. Despite these advances and adoption of western science,
most smallholder maize farmer still rely on their indigenous knowledge.
Yaro (2012) carried out a study that revealed that farmers in Africa have
very good knowledge and clear perceptions on changes in rainfall,
temperature and wind. Moreover, observations of changes in the climate
help farmers to adjust and initiate survival or coping strategies especially
with respect to staple crop production. In Southern Africa, maize is the
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 2/15major staple crop. Crop production is predominantly rain-fed. This is the
reason why smallholder farmers are always conscious of variability in
climate and its impact on their cropping activities. This study is designed
to identify and document the indigenous approaches that smallholder
farmers in some parts of Vhembe District use to forecast temperature and
rainfall, and adapt crop production practices to enhance food security.
Below is a list of the questions underpinning the study:
What are the indigenous methods used to forecast rainfall and
temperature in selected Venda and Tsonga-speaking communities?
What home-grown practices do smallholder crop farmers use to mitigate
the effects of variations in temperature and rainfall?
Are there any differences between the Tsonga and Venda-speaking
communities in indigenous methods used to forecast temperature and
rainfall?
Are there any differences in indigenous adaptation approaches of
smallholder crop production practices between the Tsonga and Venda
speaking communities?
New skills
Integration of seasonal forecast and crop models in climate risk
management
Individual outputs
rainfall, and adapt crop production practices to enhance food security.
Below is a list of the questions underpinning the study:
1. What are the indigenous methods used to forecast rainfall and
temperature in selected Venda and Tsonga-speaking
communities?
2. What home-grown practices do smallholder crop farmers use to
mitigate the effects of variations in temperature and rainfall?
3. Are there any differences between the Tsonga and
Venda-speaking communities in indigenous methods used to
forecast temperature and rainfall?
4. Are there any differences in indigenous adaptation approaches of
smallholder crop production practices between the Tsonga and
Venda speaking communities?
New skills Community-based research protocols and techniques such as facilitating
multi-stakeholder participatory engagement, compiling community
stories for analysis to distil themes; Use of Atlas-ti in data analysis and
interpretation; public speaking; presentation of various types of results of
qualitative data analysis; research team building, teamwork and project
management.
Individual outputs
Miss Feroza Morris
Degree PhD
First registration 2016
Expected graduation 2019
Institution University of KwaZulu-Natal
Supervisor(s) Dr M Toucher, Prof R Schulze
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 3/15Title Short to long range hydrological forecasting in the Mhlathuze catchment
Progress Report The project will focus on forecasting streamflow of the Mhlathuze River
and the level of the Goedertrouw Dam across different time ranges. These
forecasts are needed for decisions regarding water allocation and to
support industry forecasts of sugarcane yield. Research will focus on the
process of generating hydrological forecasts including downscaling of
weather/climate forecasts, model initialization, evaluation of forecast
output and the reduction of errors and uncertainty. The potential for
forecasts to improve decision-making will also be explored by assessing
the adoption of alternative management strategies using a simulation
approach.
New skills Generating hydrological forecasts
Individual outputs
Mrs Khululwa N. Xoxo
Degree MSc
First registration 2016
Expected graduation 2018
Institution University of Fort Hare
Supervisor(s) Dr. L.Zhou and Dr. S. Mazinyo
Title Application of Indigenous Knowledge and Scientific Seasonal Forecasts
for Climate Risk Management: A Case Study of Raymond Mhlaba Local
Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Progress Report Agriculture is said to be one of the most weather-dependent of human
activities (Qian et. al, 2014). This makes smallholder farmers rely more on
rainfall hence the need for a more reliable climate and weather forecasts.
Reliable weather and climate forecasts can assist farmers with the
selection of appropriate tillage systems, crop varieties and planting dates
(Kalanda-Joshua, Ngongondo, Chipeta, & Mpembeka, 2011).In the past
years, research has focused on the importance of indigenous knowledge
as part of a solution to climate change (Johnson, 1992). Rural
communities in the past have relied on indigenous knowledge for their
daily survival and adaptation to the landscapes around them.
Traditionally, farmers have also relied on indigenous knowledge to
understand weather and climatic patterns (Kalanda-Joshua et al., 2011).
A lot of research has been done on scientific forecasting alone to
determine climatic trends. Studies have found that there has been lack of
communication of forecasts, especially to smallholder farmers. In some
cases the accuracy of these forecasts have been questioned (Codjoe,
Owusu, & Burkett, 2014). It is because of this gap that this study
integrates indigenous knowledge with scientific seasonal forecasts at a
local level.
Aim
This study seeks to apply indigenous knowledge (IK) and scientific
forecasts to reduce exposure of small scale farmers to climate risks. The
objectives of the study are (1) document existing indigenous knowledge
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 4/15indicators that are used to predict weather and climate in Raymond
Mhlaba Municipality; (2) understand farmers perceptions on climate
change and variability and link it to empirical evidence; (3) to link IK
indicators with Scientific Seasonal Forecasts. The research expects to get
and record the various IK indicators that farmers use in the Raymond
Mhlaba Municipality.
To date my research proposal has been defended and approved by
department, it was submitted to higher degrees committee. Currently,
household questionnaires are being drafted in preparation for the
submission on the ethical clearance application to be received in May.
Background, historical literature review has been conducted and the work
has presented at regional conferences and are currently being developed
into a peer reviewed publication. I am now waiting to commence data
collection and write the thesis and peer reviewed articles.
New skills Integration of seasonal forecast and crop models in climate risk
management
Individual outputs 1 Oral paper presentation at a Conference; 1 publication being authored
Mr Martin M. Chari
Degree PhD
First registration 2016
Expected graduation 2019
Institution University of Fort Hare
Supervisor(s) Prof. H. Hamandawana, Dr. L. Zhou
Title Enhancing adaptive capacities of farmers to climate-induced rainfall
variabilities by modelling soil moisture patterns in Raymond Mhlaba
Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Progress Report The study aims to enhance adaptive capacities of farmers to
climate-induced rainfall variabilities by producing reliable soil moisture
maps to support water management and agricultural practice,
particularly during dry seasons. The study area is the Raymond Mhlaba
Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape which is one of South Africa’s
provinces ranked as being extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of
climate-induced rainfall variabilities due to limited adaptive capacities.
The research proposal has been successfully defended. A part of the
research has been presented at a local conference and developed into a
paper which has been accepted for publication in an international journal.
To date, I have attended 3 courses and 8 workshops involving work
related to my research. I am doing chapter write-up.
Research Summary The study aims to enhance adaptive capacities of farmers to
climate-induced rainfall variabilities by producing reliable soil moisture
maps to support water management and agricultural practice,
particularly during dry seasons. The study area is the Raymond Mhlaba
Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape which is one of South Africa’s
provinces ranked as being extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of
climate-induced rainfall variabilities, particularly droughts, due to limited
adaptive capacities.
Although adaptive capacity assessments help to guide policy formulation
and implementation by identifying farming areas with low coping
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 5/15capacities, policy implementers often find it difficult to fully exploit the
utility of these assessments because of information deficiencies on
key-condition variables linked to rainfall which enhance adaptive
capacities to droughts. This study attempts to bridge this gap by
providing a cost-effectively and timeously methodology to produce soil
moisture patterns.
Soil moisture has a strong influence on hydro-meteorological process
hence critical in addressing key scientific and practical challenges in
today’s world such as food security, sustainable planning and
management of water resources. A remote sensing and Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) approach will be used to produce soil moisture
patterns. The remote sensing component of this approach will consist of
retrieving soil moisture data from wet-season Sentinel satellite images
using geoprocessing algorithms in ArcGIS 10.5 and SNAP software. The
GIS based technique will be improvised to map soil moisture patterns of
different farming areas in ArcGIS 10.5 software to produce maps that
show spatial locations of farming areas with varying levels of soil
moisture on a scale ranging from low, medium to high. The approach’s
ability to enhance adaptive capacities of both small scale and large scale
farmers by modelling soil moisture patterns is useful because it aids the
identification of farming areas that deserve priority consideration when
planning to deliver support and assistance to those least capable of
effectively coping with the adverse effects of climate-induced rainfall
variabilities. Overall, results from this project will assist in improving
farmers’ preparedness to climate variability.
As part of the project on enhancing community preparedness to climate
variability, a methodology for mapping adaptive capacities of
resource-poor communities to changing climate using geostatistical
techniques was developed, peer-reviewed and published. The paper
presents a case study-based approach to identify resource-poor
communities with limited abilities to cope with the adverse effects of
climate change. The study area is in Ray Mhlaba Local Municipality
(formerly Nkonkobe Local Municipality before mid-year 2016), in the
Eastern Cape which is one of South Africa’s provinces ranked as being
extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change due to high
incidences of poverty and limited access to public services such as water
and education.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 6/15Fig 1: Geographic location of study area (formerly Nkonkobe Local
Municipality) in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa including ward
boundaries
Although adaptive capacity and vulnerability assessments help to guide
policy formulation and implementation by identifying communities with
low coping capacities, policy implementers often find it difficult to fully
exploit the utility of these assessments because of difficulties in
identifying vulnerable communities. The paper attempts to bridge this
gap by providing a user friendly, replicable, practically implementable
and adaptable methodology that can be used to cost-effectively and
timeously identify vulnerable communities with low coping capacities.
A geostatistical approach was used to assess and evaluate adaptive
capacities of resource-poor communities in the Nkonkobe Local
Municipality. The geospatial component of this approach consisted of a
multi-step Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based technique that
was improvised to map adaptive capacities of different communities. The
statistical component used demographic indicators comprising literacy
levels, income levels, population age profiles and access to water to run
automated summation and ranking of indicator scores in ArcGIS 10.2 to
produce maps that show spatial locations of communities with varying
levels of adaptive capacities on a scale ranging from low, medium to high.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 7/15Fig 2: Maps produced from indicators that were used to assess
adaptive capacity
The analysis identified 14 villages with low adaptive capacities from a
total of 180 villages in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. This finding is
important because it suggests that our methodology can be effectively
used to objectively identify communities that are vulnerable to climate
change.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 8/15Fig 3: Adaptive capacity map for Nkonkobe Local Municipality
The paper presents a tool that could be used for targeting assistance to
climate change vulnerable communities. The methodology proposed is of
general applicability in guiding public policy interventions aimed at
reaching, protecting and uplifting socio-economically disadvantaged
populations in both rural and urban settings.
The approach’s ability to identify vulnerable communities is useful
because it aids the identification of resource-poor communities that
deserve priority consideration when planning adaptation action plans to
deliver support and assistance to those least capable of effectively coping
with the adverse effects of climate change induced vulnerabilities.
Currently a methodology for mapping satellite soil moisture patterns to
assist in improving farmers’ preparedness to climate variability is being
developed. S oil moisture has a strong influence on hydro-meteorological
process hence critical in addressing key scientific and practical challenges
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 9/15in today’s world such as food security, sustainable planning and
management of water resources. The global agronomy community needs
quick and frequent information on soil moisture variability and spatial
trends in order to maximize crop production to meet growing food
demands in a changing climate. However, in situ soil moisture
measurement is expensive, labour intensive and lack adequate spatial
scales for agricultural decision making over large areas. Moreover, due to
their cost, ground sensors are quite rare across some critical agricultural
areas in especially in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in Eastern Cape
Province of South Africa where water sources are scarce and the need of a
smart use of irrigation is an urgent need. This study attempts to bridge
this gap by providing a replicable, practically implementable and
adaptable methodology that can be used to cost-effectively and timeously
map soil moisture patterns at spatial scales adequate for agricultural
decision-making.
A multi-step index-based derivation of soil moisture from remotely
sensed Sentinel 2 satellite imagery will be used to map soil moisture
patterns. The soil moisture patterns will be ranked to produce maps that
show spatial locations of communities with varying levels of soil moisture
on a scale ranging from low, medium to high.
The developed tool could be used for producing reliable soil moisture
maps to support irrigation planning, water management and agricultural
practice, particularly during dry seasons. The proposed soil moisture
mapping methodology will assist in improving farmers’ preparedness to
climate variability-induced rainfall variabilities.
Using satellite remote sensing however can provide an economic option
to monitor across large and remote areas and allows farmers to know soil
moisture content and helps irrigation scheduling. The study also supports
that remote sensing offers valuable information that could be efficiently
utilized in areas where in situ soil moisture data are unavailable.
New skills Disaster risk management, Climate risk management; Climate change and
adaptation, Integration of seasonal forecast and crop models in climate
risk management, Project management
Courses attended
1. Essentials for R programming. African Doctoral Academy (ADA),
08 – 12 January 2018, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South
Africa.
2. Adaptation for Extreme Events. The Adaptation Network, 29 – 31
May 2017, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
3. Using climate information for adaptation and policy development.
Climate System Analysis Group (CSAG), July 2016, University of
Cape Town, South Africa.
Individual outputs ● 1 oral paper presentation at a Conference
● 1 article accepted
Mr Siyabusa Mkuhlani
Degree PhD
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 10/15First registration 2016
Expected graduation 2019
Institution University of Cape Town
Supervisor(s) Dr. O.Crespo
Title Seasonal forecasts: The hidden potential for South Africa’s smallholder
farmers?
Progress Report Overall the study aims to integrate seasonal forecast information and crop
models for increased smallholder farmers’ preparedness to seasonal
weather variability using climate variability management strategies. The
research is being undertaken based on Lambani and Nkonkobe
communities in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape provinces respectively in
South Africa. The first objective of the study ‘assessment of the current
socio-economic perceptions to historical and future climate and document
the current climate variability management strategies used by farmers of
different typologies and agro-ecologies in South Africa’ has been
completed. This has led to the development of farmer categories and
assessment of the perceptions, strategies and challenges in managing
climate variability amongst smallholder farmers in South Africa. The work
has been developed into a manuscript and has been presented at 3 local
and regional conferences in South Africa. Calibrating of crop models based
on the different crops and crop types cultivated by different farmer
categories in South Africa has been completed. The calibrated crop model
has been integrated with seasonal forecast information for ‘comparison of
cropping systems’ productivity exposed to seasonal forecasts under
climate variability management strategies amongst different farmer
typologies and agro-ecologies’. Currently, the research is assessing the
practicability, potential challenges and economic impacts of adopting the
current and research recommended climate variability management
strategies among the different farmer typologies and agro-ecologies of
South Africa.
New skills Advanced application of crop models
community engagement in different agro-ecological and socio-economic
conditions
Individual outputs ● 3 Oral paper presentations at 3 local and regional conferences
● 2 article submitted for peer review
Mr Farirai Rusere
Degree PhD
First registration 2016
Expected graduation 2019
Institution University of Cape Town
Supervisor(s) Dr. O.Crespo
Title Assessing the value of ecological intensification of improving smallholder
farmers food security and livelihoods in a changing world
Progress Report The study aims to assess the potential of ecological intensification of
agriculture to improve crop and livestock production and biodiversity
conservation in marginal areas in southern Africa in the face of climate
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 11/15change and variability. The research is being carried out in Lambani, a
village in Vhembe district, South Africa. The first objective of the study,
evaluating the current crop and livestock systems in Lambani, has led to
the development of farmer typologies, assessment of constraints and
challenges in their farming systems amongst smallholder farmers in
South Africa and perceptions on potential solutions and key ecosystem
services needed their context and farm types to improve food security
and livelihoods. The work has been developed into two manuscript and
has been presented at two local conference. Currently i am working on
quantifying the potential trade offs and synergies to guide in farm system
design of potential ecological intensification strategies in different farm
types in smallholder agriculture. Later in 2017, the research will then
design potential ecological intensification strategies for the different farm
types, and assess their potential, practicability, potential challenges and
economic impacts on different farm types and households in Lambani,
South Africa.
New skills During the course of the year I managed to attend two writing retreat
workshops to sharpen my scientific writing skills organised by the
African climate Development Initiative (ACDI) and the University of Cape
Town, Postgraduate studies directorate
Individual outputs 2 oral presentations, 2 publications currently being authored
Mr Tshimangadzo Mutheiwana
Degree MSc in Agriculture (Soil Science)
First registration 2016
Expected graduation 2018
Institution University of Venda
Supervisor(s) Prof J.J. Odhiambo
Title Modelling Maize (Zea Mays L.) Productivity and Assessing Impact of
Climate Change, Planting Date and Cultivar on Growth, Development and
Yield in the Semi-Arid Vhembe Region
Progress Report Maize (Zea mays) is the most important grain and staple crop in South
Africa. It is produced throughout the country under diverse environments
(Department of Agriculture, 2003). Approximately 3.1 million ha of land
are cultivated each year resulting in production of about 8 million tonnes
of maize grain. In Limpopo Province, Oni et al. (2002) found that in
smallholder farming areas the proportion of land planted with maize was
higher compared to other field crops. The same study revealed that
projected production of maize was likely to decrease by half between
1998 and 2018.
According to Eckert (1995), successful maize production required an
understanding of various management practices and environmental
conditions that affected its growing performance. Selection of appropriate
cultivars and planting dates are cultural practices known to significantly
affect the potential maize yield and stability (Norwood, 2001). Cultivar
selection should be based on adaptation to growing environments
coupled with good returns.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 12/15As farmers battle with selection of the correct cultivars and determination
of the most appropriate planting date, climate change presents an
additional burden. The latter constitutes a significant production risk to
the achievement of high crop yields because it is associated with extreme
events, uncertain timing of field operations and investments in new
technologies (Cooper et al., 2006; IPCC, 2007). The fact that vulnerability
of maize to adverse climatic change is becoming a critical issue makes it a
research priority. Thus, this study is designed to clarify what researchers
and farmers should do to mitigate the effects of uncertain weather and
erratic rainfall. The specific objectives of the study are to (a) determine
the effect of planting dates and cultivars on the growth, development and
yield of maize; (b) determine the most appropriate planting date for
specific maize cultivars; (c) parameterize and evaluate the capability of
the APSIM-Maize model to simulate growth, development and yield of
maize cultivars at different planting dates; and (d) evaluate the
applicability of the APSIM-Maize model in assessing the impact of climate
change and variability on maize production in the semi-arid Vhembe
region.
New skills
Individual outputs
Miss Luleka Dlamini
Degree Honours
First registration 2017
Expected graduation 2018
Institution University of Cape Town
Supervisor(s) Dr Olivier Crespo
Title The impact of droughts on sugarcane yields in Pongola and Felixton
KwaZulu Natal
Abstract Maize (Zea mays) is the most important grain and staple crop in South
Africa. It is produced throughout the country under diverse environments
(Department of Agriculture, 2003). Approximately 3.1 million ha of land
are cultivated each year resulting in production of about 8 million tonnes
of maize grain. In Limpopo Province, Oni et al. (2002) found that in
smallholder farming areas the proportion of land planted with maize was
higher compared to other field crops. The same study revealed that
projected production of maize was likely to decrease by half between
1998 and 2018.
According to Eckert (1995), successful maize production required an
understanding of various management practices and environmental
conditions that affected its growing performance. Selection of appropriate
cultivars and planting dates are cultural practices known to significantly
affect the potential maize yield and stability (Norwood, 2001). Cultivar
selection should be based on adaptation to growing environments
coupled with good returns.
As farmers battle with selection of the correct cultivars and determination
of the most appropriate planting date, climate change presents an
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 13/15additional burden. The latter constitutes a significant production risk to
the achievement of high crop yields because it is associated with extreme
events, uncertain timing of field operations and investments in new
technologies (Cooper et al., 2006; IPCC, 2007). The fact that vulnerability
of maize to adverse climatic change is becoming a critical issue makes it a
research priority. Thus, this study is designed to clarify what researchers
and farmers should do to mitigate the effects of uncertain weather and
erratic rainfall. The specific objectives of the study are to (a) determine
the effect of planting dates and cultivars on the growth, development and
yield of maize; (b) determine the most appropriate planting date for
specific maize cultivars; (c) parameterize and evaluate the capability of
the APSIM-Maize model to simulate growth, development and yield of
maize cultivars at different planting dates; and (d) evaluate the
applicability of the APSIM-Maize model in assessing the impact of climate
change and variability on maize production in the semi-arid Vhembe
region.
The aim of this study is to investigate the impacts of droughts on
sugarcane yields in Pongola and Felixton (KZN) between 1986 and 2016
and direction of changes/impacts. The key objectives of this study are: (1)
To identify and characterize periods of droughts in the South African
sugarcane-producing geographical areas over the last 20-30 years; (2) To
describe and establish the threshold of droughts that have an impact on
sugarcane yields in Pongola and Felixton; (3) To understand the
influence of irrigation systems on a sugarcane yields during drought
period.
Currently, the SA sugar industry has not sufficiently quantified the
impacts historical droughts on sugarcane yields, hence, this study hope to
add this knowledge as well as identify the threshold of droughts which
have a significant impact on the sugarcane yields. Characterizing and
identifying droughts in KZN will also help track the changes in the
frequency and intensity of the droughts. These results can therefore be
further packaged in a format suitable to support future effective
decision-making and planning by the sugar industry (e.g. SASRI,
Canegrowers Association, SASA) and its stakeholders including all types
of sugarcane farmers.
To date I have submitted my research proposal and now I am working on
gathering the appropriate data to use. I have been able to get climate data
(rainfall and temperature) for the two areas. I will then use this data to
calculate the Standard-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). I am also using a
CaneSim sugarcane model to identify the months that are more prone to
the effect of droughts.
I am facing challenges in accessing yield data from the Cane Growers
which I will need to use for correlation assessment between yields and
droughts.
The data and simulated results will be analysed and then write the full
report and thesis this year. I hope to share my findings with SASRI, SASA
and Cane growers Association. I also hope also to present (poster
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 14/15presentation) my research to the African Climate and Development
Initiative student Conference next year (2018).
New skills
Individual outputs
2. Researchers
Update
3. Workshop/Training attended
1. Using climate information for adaptation and policy development. Climate System
Analysis Group (CSAG), July 2016, University of Cape Town, South Africa
2. Integrated use of seasonal forecasts for community preparedness to climate variability.
Water Research Commission (WRC) stakeholder engagement workshop, University of Fort
Hare, 17 - 18 October 2016, Alice, South Africa
3. Review of Eastern Cape Provincial Climate Change Response Strategy, 1st Department of
Environmental Affairs (DEA) workshop, Premier Hotel, 15 November 2016, East London,
South Africa.
4. Review support of Eastern Cape Provincial Climate Change Response Strategies and
Development of Action Plans, 2nd Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) workshop,
Premier Hotel, 09 March 2017, East London, South Africa.
5. WRC101 workshop, Water Research Commission (WRC) workshop, 24 May 2017, East
London, South Africa.
6. Adaptation for Extreme Events. The Adaptation Network, 29 – 31 May 2017, Rhodes
University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
7. Linking disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) to reduce
social vulnerability and build resilience (Think tank), Rhodes University, 30 – 31 May
2017, Grahamstown, South Africa.
8. Forecast Early Warning System (FEWS) Master Class: Setting up an Early Warning
System to meet your needs, Moses Mabhidha Stadium, 1 - 3 August 2017, Durban, South
Africa.
.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E1: Individual - Capacity Development - page 15/15E2. Institutions - capacity
development
Authors
Olivier Crespo, University of Cape Town
Joseph Francis, University of Venda
Leocadia Zhou, University of Fort Hare
Gugu, ARC
Update
Last update
2018 April, annual report (del.10)
Needs revision
Training and Capacity building 1
Nature of development 1
1. Training and Capacity building
Extension agents training workshops will be organized on a quarterly basis as part of
information dissemination. The intermediaries will be directly involved in the training of the
farmers together with the extension agents of the selected regions on the application of weather
forecasts, climate prediction and other science based information. Universities will recruit
students for different degrees such as, Honours or Masters and PhD. The budget is currently
drafted so to sponsor 1 PhD and 2 MSc, with the intention of having the PhD deeply involved in
the methodological development of the project, and one MSc at both UFH and UV to work full
time on community engagement, simulation planning and management at community level. All
members of the project team, but especially the graduate students involved, will learn new skills
and gain knowledge by working on the project and centres of excellence at the institutions
represented by the project team will be strengthened.
Nature of development
Institution Name Nature of Development
University of Fort Hare Enhance capacity building through expert training of postgraduate
students and increased knowledge base for scientists.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E2: Institutions - Capacity Development - page 1/3Extension agents training workshops are organized on a quarterly
basis as part of information dissemination. The intermediaries are
directly involved in the training of the farmers together with the
extension agents of the selected regions on the application of weather
forecasts, climate prediction and other science based information.
Currently, for the UFH side, 2 students are enrolled (1PhD and 1 MSc).
The student projects consist of soil moisture mapping for the PhD and
application of indigenous knowledge for the MSc. All members of the
project team, but especially the graduate students involved, will learn
new skills and gain knowledge by working on the project and centres
of excellence at the institutions represented by the project team will
be strengthened.
University of Venda Most staff and students at the University are well-trained in
quantitative methods of research. Given the sensitive nature and need
for deeper understanding of systems, processes and other
dimensions of climate change, it will crucial to mount workshops in
which both students and staff are trained to use qualitative software
such as Atlas-ti, NVivo etc. that will go a long way in strengthen their
research 'backbones'. Furthermore, basic training in climate change
will be needed at community level and even the university so that
there is better understanding of the phenomenon and the need to
effectively counter its effects. Some staff will need training in
measuring costs and benefits of various adaptation strategies as this
helps in decision making. Lastly, we hope training in packaging policy
briefs will be offered so that the products of the research will not be
entirely academic such as journal articles and books.
Council for Scientific Developing of post-processing procedures for input into crop
and Industrial models. The AGCM administered at CSIR is capable of producing
Research forecasts and hindcasts, and the model output will next be tailor-
made for various applications, including data generation for crop
modelling.
University of Cape Building on climate and crop modelling expertise, towards better use
Town of short time scale climate-crop integrated expertise developments.
Providing a nationally dedicated service.
UKZN, SAWS, CSIR Improved understanding of issues related to weather, climate and
hydrological forecasting and the application of this information by
forecast users in decision-making.
Agricultural Research Development of agro-advisories tailor made for selected study areas,
Council using crop simulator models, interpretation and application of
weather and climate information. Climate statistical analysis for
climate-crop matching. Training of farmers and extension agents at
the selected study sites.
DWA Improved water management in agricultural environments
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E2: Institutions - Capacity Development - page 2/3DAFF Improved monitoring and planning associated with regional crop
production and drought. Extension services equipped with
additional/improved forecast information for farmer advisories.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E2: Institutions - Capacity Development - page 3/3E3. Communities - capacity
development
Authors
Olivier Crespo, University of Cape Town
Joseph Francis, University of Venda
Leocadia Zhou, university of Fort Hare
Trevor Lumsden, CSIR
Update
Revision history
2015 February, Amended proposal
Needs revision
Lambani, Limpopo 1
Alice, Eastern Cape 1
KwaZulu Natal 2
1. Lambani, Limpopo
Through a participatory action research that builds on existing (indigenous knowledge and
practices), the project will examine common climate change adaptation practices using
appreciative inquiry. In addition, the project will mobilize a broad range of stakeholders,
including churches, schools, leadership institutions such as Ward Committee, Civic Associations,
Traditional Leaders, Water Users Associations, NGOs & CBOs and support agencies to strengthen
existing systems. Also, special attention will be placed on research that leads to better
understanding of climate change-related information/knowledge dissemination systems.
Overall, the aim is to build sufficient capacity within the communities to manage local systems.
Unemployed graduates and matric graduates with interest in this type of work will be recruited
and trained in participatory community-based research skills. They will then serve as local level
paraprofessionals. All this will be in line with the Institute for Rural Development thrust
spearheaded under the banner of 'Taking the University to its rightful owners' grassroots
communities.
A smallholder farmer workshop was held in October 2017, with about 55 people participating.
Among these were farmers, local extension workers and postgraduate students plus staff from
the Universities of Venda, Fort Hare and Cape Town. In addition, a one-day scientific workshop
on integrated use of seasonal forecast for community preparedness to climate variability was
held the same month. Twenty-eight academic staff, agricultural extension personnel and
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E3: Communities - Capacity Development - page 1/2students from the Universities of Venda, Fort Hare and Cape Town participated. In both
workshops, it was resolved that the research team would package weather forecasting
information from ongoing research activities and share with extension personnel. Thus, since
then quarterly newsletters have been shared with the extension staff and feedback regularly
received. This is ongoing. It is imperative to point out that the interface with the Limpopo
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) as a result of implementation of this
project culminated in the Institute for Rural Development teaming up with the LDARD to submit
to the IDRC a joint proposal for funding focusing on climate variability and change and its impact
on livestock in the Limpopo valley.
2. Alice, Eastern Cape
Alice, Eastern Cape To work in synergy with the community water and agricultural user groups
on the best management and adaptation strategies possible in their region/study area. This way,
and from our experience, it is possible to influence quick adoption of technologies through
practice and extended knowledge. This will be achieved be a through workshops and community
meetings, on the possible adaptation and mitigation strategies possible. It is also envisaged that
the study will influence policy adoption beginning with the local community based policy makers
such as the chiefs, district water and agricultural officers etc.
A workshop was conducted on September 6, 2017 at the local Alice community hall in Alice
town. The objectives were to:
● Meet with the local community water and agricultural user groups in order to establish
best management and adaptation strategies possible in their region/study area.
● Re-train extension workers and farmers on how to utilize seasonal forecast information.
● Create a communication platform between scientists and agricultural extension workers
for communicating seasonal forecast information.
The workshop objectives were successfully accomplished and these are milestone in promoting
policy adoption beginning with the local community based policy makers such as the chiefs,
district water and agricultural officers etc. It was agreed that seasonal forecast information be
communicated to agricultural extension workers within the municipality through electronic mail
(email) in the form of a quarterly newsletter. The first newsletter was distributed in November
2017. The quarterly-newsletter also has a section for feedback in order to know how the
seasonal forecasts information is of use to them.
3. KwaZulu Natal
Small scale and commercial farmers, irrigators. Improved decision making for water
management and crop production.
WRC annual report 2015-2016
Section E3: Communities - Capacity Development - page 2/2You can also read
