Extension services workshop: Khoroni Hotel, Thohoyandou, 8th June 2015

A workshop with participation of 45 extension service officers, as well as participants from the DEWD team from LDA and Linköping University/SMHII was held at Khoroni Hotel, Thohoyando 8th of June 2015.     Evaluation of the results from the seasonal forecasts of local rainfall soil moisture and river flow, signs in nature and the sensors - was the information provided accurate and useful and well communicated in a way that could increase community resilience and experiences from work in the Lambani community were presented.  The participants were then divided in three groups to discuss the access to and experiences of how to assist farmers with advice to cope with the foreseen (from forecasts) climatic conditions. It was concluded from the discussions that seasonal forecasts very seldom reached the extension service officers. Other identified challenges included the fact that assistance to farmers was reactive rather than proactive. This was seen as creating a dependency syndrome where many wait for the grant instead of doing on their own activities. It was also mentioned that the possibilities to communicate and bring information to the district level was limited to occasions when it was required from the provincial level through a long chain of levels.  More training and improved communication channels between local to provincial levels were requested.