Status of mitigation and adaptation strategies with respect

to impacts of climate change/ variability and natural disasters in

agriculture - WMO RA IBy:

Mr. Bernard E. GomezPrincipal Meteorologist

Department of Water ResourcesBanjul, The Gambia

Tel: (220) 422 4122 / 422 8216

E-mail:<be63gomez@yahoo.co.uk>

Presentation Plan

• Strategies of Adaptation to climate change/

variability in Agriculture

• Mitigation & Adaptation Strategies with

respect to Natural Disasters (Tropical storms;

flooding; thunderstorms - lightning & hailstorms;

drought; dust/sandstorms; volcanic eruptions;

earthquakes & tsunamis; bush/forest fires)

Adaptation strategies in agriculture

• Activities in the sector are mostly at the subsistence level, thus highly exposing the sector to climate fluctuations - therefore adaptation may require the intervention of governments & other highly organised stakeholders

Adaptation options in Agric

• Use of new cultivars adapted to environment

• Devt of irrigation (full/complementary)

• Optimal use of crop calendar

• Crop diversification• Facilities for

processing & storage

• Enhance soil fertility• Develop EWS on

natural disasters• Maximize production

in climate favourable areas to offset deficits

• Encourage big holders likely to harness science & technology

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - tropical storms

• Impacts: – direct damage to

vegetation & livestock by winds, heavy rain & flooding from seawater

– Long-term loss of soil fertility due to salinity

– Loss of human life

– Time losses for work in the sector

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Good EWS &

sensitised communities

– Change in land use in hazard prone areas

– Undertake risk zone mapping & analysis of land use pattern

– Encourage protective actions (afforestation etc.)

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Flooding

• Impacts:– Impoverishment of

soils

– Asphyxiation of vegetation

– Obstruction of mgmt practices

– Loss of human life

– Damage to machinery and infrastructure

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Proper recording of

events in order to create database for planning & prediction

– Basic flood protection (structural & EW)

– Loss prevention (conventional & non-conventional)

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Lightning

• Impacts:– Fires in forests,

buildings, stores etc.

– Loss of human life

– Damage to electrical appliances

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Public sensitisation on

dangers & avoidance measures

– Use of lightning rods

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Hailstorms

• Impacts:– Damage to roofs &

greenhouses

– Damage to vegetation

– Threat to livestock

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Nets to cover crops

– Sheltering livestock in built-up structures

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Drought

• Impacts:– Famine, leading to loss

of life

– Conflicts over water & pastures

– Land degradation

– Increased potential for forest/bush/grass fires

– Loss of genetic material

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Continuous monitoring

of hydromet parameters to provide EW info

– GIS to locate vulnerable communities/areas

– Water control measures

– Moisture conservation

– Economic diversification

– Develop irrigation

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - dust/sandstorms

• Impacts:– Direct and indirect

damage to crops

– Soil impoverishment due to wind erosion

– Damage to farm machinery

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Field afforestation

(wind breaks etc.)

– Strip cultivation in areas with intensive wind erosion

– Alternating fallow land with strips of grain crops

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to natural disasters in agric - Bushfires

• Impacts:– Direct/indirect loss of

human life

– Soil degradation

– Increase risk of wet season flooding

– Release GHGs

– Reduced abundance of fauna and flora

– Threat to human health

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Prevention is most

effective strategy (firebreaks, removal of dead stands, zoning of land use to avoid accidental fires, etc.)

Mitigation/adaptation strategies to earthquakes/tsunamis, volcanoes - agric

• Impacts:– flooding of coastal

areas with saline water

– Destruction of vegetation

– Loss of life & livelihoods

• Mitigation/Adaptation:– Hazard zone mapping

– Land use planning

Thank you for your attention!