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Performance of specific CMIP6 GCMs for simulating the historical rainfall and temperature climatology of Lake Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia
Author(s): Lebeza, Tadele Melese; Gashaw, Temesgen; Bayabil, Haimanote Kebede; Oel, Pieter; Abeyou, Abeyou; Taddele Dile, Yihun; Chukalla, Abebe Demissie (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)
Date: 2024-09-16
Type: Journal Article
Status: Open access
This study aims to evaluate the performance of 7 rainfall and 6 temperature products from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) Global climate models (GCMs) for simulating the rainfall, maximum temperature (Tmax), and minimum temperature (Tmin) climatology of the Lake Tana sub-basin (Ethiopia) during 1995 – 2014 periods from daily to annual time scales. The rational of this study is to identify the best performing GCMs for projection of future climate as well as for using those models for climate adaptation and mitigation plans in the study area. Through wide-ranging evaluation methods using the Comprehensive Rating Index (CRI) and Taylor diagram, our study contributes by highlighting the top performing GCMs across different temporal scales for precipitation, Tmax and Tmin separately. The findings indicated that EC-Earth3, MPI-ESM1-2-LR and ACCESS-ESM1-5 at daily time scale, and CNRM-CM6-1, BCC-CSM2-MR and EC-Earth3 at monthly timescale are the best performing models for simulating precipitation. The best performing models for simulating MAM (March-May) seasonal precipitation are BCC-CSM2-MR, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, EC-Earth3 while ACCESS-ESM1-5, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, and EC-Earth3 are good at for JJAS (June-September) precipitation. BCC-CSM2-MR, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, EC-Earth3 and ACCESS-ESM1-5 are best performing models for simulating annual rainfall. Conversely, MIROC6 exhibits relatively weaker performance for simulating rainfall across all the studied temporal scales. For Tmax, EC-Earth3, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, and MRI-ESM2-0 consistently performed well, while BCC-CSM2-MR is the poorly performing climate model. Regarding Tmin, EC-Earth3, BCC-CSM2-MR and MPI-ESM1-2-LR consistently perform well, while MIROC6 demonstrates weaker performance. The finding suggested that one of the best performing CMIP6 models for simulating precipitation (ACCESS-ESM1-5) did not equally perform well for representing Tmax and Tmin. In addition, the best performing model for simulating Tmax (MRI-ESM2-0) also did not perform well for Tmin. Furthermore, the best performing climate model for rainfall on a specific temporal scale did not perform well on another temporal scale. The study recommends evaluation of climate models for rainfall, Tmax, and Tmin independently at different time scales for better understanding of future climates using the best performing models for each climate variable as well as for effective climate adaptation and mitigation plans.
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Goat Community-Based Breeding Program in Mali: Follow-up on the progress in Ségou and exploring the CBBP potential in Sikasso
Author(s): Getachew, Tesfaye; Doubangolo, Coulibaly; Sacko, Idrissa; Zannou, Olivier; sow, ahmadou; Haile, Aynalem; Rekik, Mourad; Tebourbi, Ons; Dione, Michel; Rischkowsky, Barbara; Marshall, Karen (International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), 2024-01-01)
Date: 2024-01-01
Type: Internal Report
Status: Open access
▪ From the 18th to 26th of July, 2024, a collaborative research team from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the Institute of Rural Economics (IER) conducted a first field mission to follow up on the progress of the Goat Community-Based Breeding Program that was implemented in Mali in 2023. ▪ This mission had two main focuses: 1. To monitor the ongoing goat Community-Based Breeding Program in Ségou region, and 2. To assess the potential of implementing a second CBBP in Sikasso region. ▪ Between the 20th and 21st of July, the team explored small ruminant production capabilities and the potential of implementing another CBBP in Sikasso, while activities in Ségou focused on data collection evaluation, feedback to communities, and training enumerators on using the DTREO platform. This included recording newborn lambs, monitoring weight and milk production, and updating disposal records on the 23rd and 24th of July. ▪ In September 2024, a second follow-up visit to Siguidolo Wère and Noukoula was organized by IER and included monitoring data collection, verifying DTREO database entries, and assessing herd conditions. Additionally, courtesy visits were made in the same occasion to local authorities, village chiefs, and community members to discuss progress and ensure administrative alignment with CBBP goals. ▪ This report summarizes the key findings and outcomes of these visits to the CBBP villages in Mali.
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Developing feed business with farmer groups in Farakala and Baroueli, Mali: Monitoring the use of two delivered feed processing units
Author(s): Rudiger, Udo; Sacko, Idrissa (International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), 2024-12-01)
Date: 2024-12-01
Type: Internal Report
Status: Open access
As part of the Innovation Package No. 2, "Gender-Sensitive Integrated Livestock Health Packages through Behavior Change Communication (BCC)," the initiative aims to enhance the quality, quantity, and availability of feed for small ruminants, benefiting both male and female farmers. It focuses on improving feed production efficiency, feeding strategies, and cost savings to raise investment capacity and generate additional income through affordable small-scale mechanization. Key activities include identifying suitable machinery, developing context-specific feed formulas, strengthening cooperatives, and providing knowledge on marketing and financial management. Following a visit by the ICARDA-ILRI-CIAT team in July 2023 to explore mechanization opportunities in Mali, two animal feed production chains were co-developed and deployed at the ‘Wutango’ women farmers’ group in Sikasso and the Association of pastoral women in Barouéli. Participatory workshops in July 2024 helped establish business plans for feed production. A follow-up visit in November 2024 assessed the implementation of these plans and the utilization of the production units, carried out by Udo Rudiger from ICARDA and Idrissa Sacko from IER.
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Unlocking Innovation in Homestead Farms: Exploring drivers and barriers to innovation adoption among farming households in Uzbekistan
Author(s): Rajiv, Sharanya; Akramov, Kamiljon; Dhehibi, Boubaker
Date: 2024-12-01
Type: Internal Report
Status: Open access
Homestead, or tomorqa, farms play a key role in agriculture and food security in Uzbekistan. These small-scale farms are integral to the livelihoods of more than 5.5 million rural households, collectively utilizing over 500,000 hectares of agricultural land, which accounts for nearly 15 percent of the coun try’s total arable agricultural land area.1 The significance of homestead farms is also underscored by their substantial contribution to the overall agricultural output of the country, producing the majority of horticulture and livestock products. In 2023, homestead farms produced approximately 62 percent of agricultural products, 37 percent of crop output, and an impressive 88 percent of livestock production.2 Recognizing their critical importance, the Uzbek government has positioned homestead farms at the heart of its poverty reduction strategy. This strategy includes the allocation of additional land to rural households, thereby expanding their capacity for agricultural production and improving the economic stability of rural communities. Furthermore, the government actively promotes the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies and practices by homestead farms. In addition to agricultural production and rural livelihoods, homestead farms are also central to Uzbeki stan’s efforts to foster climate-smart agriculture to enhance climate resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector. The government has also promoted the implementation of water-saving technologies and practices that reduce land degradation among homestead farms, which not only help mitigate the impacts of climate change but also ensure the long-term viability of agricultural resources amid land- and water-scarcity challenges. Understanding the drivers and barriers to the adoption of these innovative practices is crucial for tailor ing policies to better support farmers, enhancing the effectiveness of government initiatives, and ensur ing the sustainable development of homestead farms. This project note examines the key drivers of and barriers to the adoption of innovative technologies and practices by homestead (tomorqa) farms in Uz bekistan. To answer this question, this note analyzes data from an intra-household survey conducted among 1600 households with homestead plots in 4 provinces of Uzbekistan in 2024.
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Integrated Strategy for Enhancing Sheep Flock Productivity
Author(s): Tebourbi, Ons; Rekik, Mourad; Haile, Aynalem; Getachew, Tesfaye (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2024-08-01)
Date: 2024-08-01
Type: Manual
Status: Timeless limited access
The optimization of sheep flock performances has always been a great challenge in improving productivity and the quality of production, in purpose of responding to markets’ demands and consumers’ specific preferences. In many developing countries, this challenge is even more difficult given their economic, social, cultural and educational current conditions. For this reason, enhancing the productivity of small ruminant flocks requires integrated, practical, low-cost and easy-to-implement solutions. Recognizing these challenges in many developing countries like Ethiopia, Mali, Jordan, etc., the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has tested many solutions that have proven effective in improving sheep productivity. These include optimizing flock composition through selection, detecting early pregnancy using ultrasonography, and breeding soundness examinations to select the best sires for reproduction. This manual provides simple, tested and practical guidelines for the different actors involved in livestock development in Sudan, covering animal selection, ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis and sire assessment for reproduction.