1. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics In the Lesson 1 of this Module the impact of drought in general explained. In the subsequent Lessons in this Module, the impact of drought on crop production, livestock, environment, economic situation and society are briefly described.

2. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought After completing this Lesson you have learned to answer: 1.How direct effects of drought causes indirect effects? 2.Give examples of direct effects of drought? 3.List some of the indirect effects of drought? Lesson 1: How drought affects us in general?

3. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought We often talk about impacts of drought as either direct or indirect, because drought impacts can cause a chain reaction of events that lead to additional drought impacts. For example, a direct impact of drought may be that a farmer loses his groundnut crop. Lesson 1: How drought affects us in general?

4. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought An indirect effect is that the farmer may then not have as much money to buy fertilizer for the next crop. This reduces the income of the fertilizer dealer. If many farmers cannot afford to buy fertilizers, the fertilizer dealers may eventually have to shut down the business. This may also affect the fertilizer industry. Workers will loose jobs resulting in even more indirect impacts. Lesson 1: How drought affects us in general?

5. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Lesson 1: How drought affects us in general? Direct effects Direct effects are those that are caused by the drought itself. Here are some examples: Lower water level and availability Reduced crop productivity. Less of fodder for livestock Increased pests and diseases in crops and among livestock.

6. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Lesson 1: How drought affects us in general? Indirect effects Indirect effects are as a result of direct effects. Here are some examples: Shortage of water for drinking and industry Food shortage and increased commodity prices Unemployment Disaster relief programs.

7. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought With this, the Lesson 1 on impact of drought in general concludes. If you would like to check your understanding of the general effects of drought, click “Exercise” button. Next, Lesson 2 is about the effects of drought on crop production. Click “Lessons” button to select Lesson 2 Exercise Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought Impacts of Drought Lessons