Purpose of the research: The research specifically addresses the questions of how local farmers and
weather scientists can work together in order to mitigate climate change and variability in the Okavango
Delta of Botswana.
Methodology and approach: Recent trends in agriculture-related weather variables available from
country's climate services, as well as in freely available satellite rainfall products were analyzed. We have
also furthered the development of a seasonal hydrological forecasting system for the study area, based on
seasonal weather forecast from Global Forecasting Centre for Southern Africa (GFCSA). The utility of
these in the context of supporting farmer's information needs were assessed. A multi-stage sampling
procedure was employed to sample a total of 592 households heads (both men and women) in eight rural
communities in Ngamiland of Botswana from August 2011 to February 2012. Also, some 19 scientists
were purposively selected for interviewing in the study. While interview schedules were used in eliciting
quantitative information from small farmers, questionanires were used in eliciting information from the
scientists. Further, key informant interviews, focus group and workshops were used to generate
qualitative information from both farmers and scientists. Descriptive (frequency, percentages, mean,
standard deviation, etc.) and inferential (correlation and regression) statistics were used in summarizing
the data and making deductions, respectively.
Results and major conclusions: Analysis of satellite rainfall products indicated that there was a
consistent increase in total annual rainfall throughout the region in the last 10 years, accompanied by an
increase in number of rain days, and reduction of duration of dry spells. No change in rainfall intensity
was observed. Duration of the rainy season extended, with progressively earlier onset and later
termination. Overall long-term trends are, however, minimal. But then, there is a progressive increase in
region's temperatures leading to increase in potential evaporation. Findings from our social surveys show
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sources of weather information (t = 2.333), knowledge of weather forecasting (t = 6.114) and decision on
farming practices (t =-8.594) either had a significant relationship or correlation with their perceptions
about the nature of both local and scientific weather knowledge. Nonetheless, there was a significant
difference in the mean scores of farmers in relation to their perceptions and those of the scientists about
the nature of both local and western knowledge. Climate variability mitigation measures utilized by
farmers are mainly informed by their ability to predict the weather and make decisions on crop type
selection in a given season. Both farmers and scientists agreed that there was need for the provision of
advisory service and scheduled meetings through which both stakeholders could cross-fertilize ideas on
weather forecasting knowledge.