Work

Climate information services enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change: Impacts on agricultural productivity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Ethiopia is one of the most vulnerable countries in sub-Sahara Africa to the impacts of climate change and the unpredictability of climate variability. It has been deemed a climate "hotspot"—a place where a changing climate could pose grave threats to agricultural production, food security, and human well-being. Using two-rounds of 'Feed the Future' survey data that covers 3,799 farming households in five major regions in Ethiopia and employing panel data estimation methods, we analyze the potential impact of weather and climate services on agricultural productivity and farmers' resilience in Ethiopia. We found that access to weather and climate services increases the productivity of maize and wheat crops by 27% and 17%, respectively. These estimates are comparable to or higher than the conventional yield-increasing production technologies such as fertilizer and improved seeds. Despite such a strong productivity effect, access to CIS is limited- only 18% of the farmers. This study adds to the existing body of evidence on the significant positive impact of weather and climate services and affirms the importance of weather and climate information service products to enhance farmers' resilience to climate variability and change. Further analyses are needed to estimate the value to Ethiopia's smallholder farmers, especially those who are most vulnerable to climate-related hazards, of increasing investment in improving seasonal climate forecasts, mainstreaming weather and climate services in the agricultural extension system, including through National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), and supporting farmer decision-making with climate-informed digital advisory tools and training.

Source: Climate Risk Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100724