Issues and Challenges from Case Studies:

1. Issues and Challenges from Case Studies: Synthesis of Discussions

2. Observations on Case Studies • Case studies have demonstrated interests of farmers (most case studies done wqith farmers (e.g. India, Philippines) • Case studies cover a suite of crops (e.g. rice, corn, peanuts, sorghum, etc.) • Different users (farmers, extension workers, planners) • Need to show benefits (gains and advantages) of the use of climate information.

3. Climate Science and Methods • Accuracy and reliability of climate forecasts • Prediction issues (synthesizing predictability by region) • Methodological issues e.g. downscaling; determining onset of rains, amount, distribution needed by farmers)

4. Decisions and Applications • Planting dates • Crop combination or mix • Water management

5. Climate Forecast Dissemination • In terms of what the different users may understand or relate to (probabilities; terciles?) • Localized i.e. downscaling of climate forecasts • Medium of dissemination (media?) • Who will prepare the forecasts for dissemination

6. Climate Forecast Dissemination (2) • Not use El Nino or La Nina (wet, dry episodes, etc?) • Information on climate forecasts should be used with other information such as weather forecast as time nears the start of cropping season. • Capacity building of farmers (e.g. Farmers Training Schools in India; Other users???) • Contingency plans and safety nets when forecasts failed e.g. crop insurance)

7. Whats Next? • Sustaining the Network • CLIMAG Network???

8. Objectives of the Network • Promote active cooperation among members (e.g. databases, methodologies, proposal development) • Promote linkage between climate research and agricultural research • Capacity building – expand the network to involve other disciplines (e.g. ag. econ, sociologists, development communications specialists) • Facilitate access to or souring of research funds.

9. How to Proceed? • Working Group • Proposal Writing (collaborative research) • ??? --- Suggestions?