DEWD training workshop

On 6 October, a DEWD training workshop on creating seasonal hydrological forecasts was held in Polokwane. Twelve participants attended from both province and district levels. This included LDA research unit officers, LDA disaster unit officers, LDA district representatives, LDA local extension agents and a University of Limpopo researcher. The aim of the workshop was to provide hands-on training in producing forecasts for the Luvuvhu and Letaba basins, which includes the DEWD pilot communities of Ha Lambani and Mokwakwaila.

Hepex workshop, Norrköping, 2015

Today, Lotta Andersson, presented some of the conclusions from the DEWD project during the HEPEX 2015 Workshop in Norrköping, Sweden. The workshop is held at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). There are approximately 55 attendees from 16 countries. See more at

• Workshop home page

Also Micha Werner presents some of the results from the DEWFORA project. The conclusions from their project were similar to ours.

HEPEX workshop at SMHI, Norrköping

Tomorrow, Prof. Lotta Andersson, the manager of the DEWD, will present an overview of the project in Norrköping, Sweden.
Stay tuned for comments from the workshop and some pictures.
Read more at

• HEPEX seasonal hydrological forecasting workshop

Letaba municipality extension workshop - 9th June 2015 at Tzaneen County Lodge

A local municipality extension workshop with participation of 31 extension officers from the Letaba municipality, as well as participants from the DEWD team from LDA and Linköping University/SMHI was held at Tzaneen country lodge 9th of June 2015.   Results from the DEWD project were presented, and discussions were held. Among other things, the discussions revealed that only a few extension officers received seasonal forecasts. There was an agreement on that short summaries with interpreted information is most useful. More workshops on interpretation of data and maps were required.  Continuous engagement capacity building including god examples from champion farmers with demonstrations and trials was recommended in order to make farmers take action based on forecasts. Although younger take advice quicker and have better literacy level they were seen to be difficult to engage and few continue with farming.   The need to speed up systems and reduce bureaucracy problem was identified.  Plans are there, but take long to implement.  More bottom-up dialogues were requested.  Before decide on policy must approach people on the ground level.