1. Bridging the Gap Between Seasonal Climate Forecasts and Decisionmakers in Agriculture Dissemination Program by Jennifer P.T. Liguton (ACIAR-PCARRD/PAGASA-PIDS-LSU/ SARDI-NSW DPI-USyd Project Team) Presented during the Orientation Forum on Climate Concepts and Seasonal Climate Forecasts for Decisionmakers in Agriculture, December 1, 2005, Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

2. One of the key objectives of the project is to: - Develop and implement strategies to better match forecasts with decisionmakers’ needs This entails knowing and understanding: - How to present SCF information to farmers; and - How to educate decisionmakers in the use of SCF technologies

3. In developing the strategies, one must first be clear on – What Information are to be disseminated? Basic concepts about weather/climate Basic concepts about weather/climate  various climate phenomena/events  science of seasonal climate forecasts  climate variability and risks/uncertainties involved Forecasts on rainfall probabilities Forecasts on rainfall probabilities

4. Findings of project’s case studies on both the policy and farm levels especially on the decision points identified and how, when and where the SCFs may be useful Findings of project’s case studies on both the policy and farm levels especially on the decision points identified and how, when and where the SCFs may be useful Results of the valuation studies of SCFs Results of the valuation studies of SCFs - how they may be integrated in the risk management decisions of the players in agriculture or those who make key decisions in agriculture, both at the farm level and the policy level.

5. Who are our target users and beneficiaries? Basically, the ones making decisions in the and/or affecting the agriculture sector: Farmers – at the farm level Farmers – at the farm level Policymakers – at the national level and at the local level such as provincial and municipal agriculturists Policymakers – at the national level and at the local level such as provincial and municipal agriculturists Link sector – e.g., extension workers, media, researchers, etc. Link sector – e.g., extension workers, media, researchers, etc.

6. The challenges involved: Content – What are the key messages to be relayed? Content – What are the key messages to be relayed? Manner of presentation – How do we present them? What are the conceptual nuances that we have to consider and look for? In what format? Manner of presentation – How do we present them? What are the conceptual nuances that we have to consider and look for? In what format? Vehicles of dissemination – How do we reach our intended users/beneficiaries? Vehicles of dissemination – How do we reach our intended users/beneficiaries?

7. Vehicles of dissemination – How do we reach our intended users? IEC type of activities – seminars, fora, lectures, handouts/publications which may be coursed thru various conduits such as those identified in the link sector: IEC type of activities – seminars, fora, lectures, handouts/publications which may be coursed thru various conduits such as those identified in the link sector:  LGUs (who may be both intended users and conduit/link)  NGOs  Researchers/research centers especially those working with farmers or farm groups  Media, especially local media (provincial radio- television stations, local newspapers and media groups), the PIA and possibly, the Dev Com Net, a group of government information officers

8. Dialogues with various groups (especially relating to the case studies) Dialogues with various groups (especially relating to the case studies)  Farmers groups  Community leaders/associations/residents  Leagues of barangays, municipalities and provinces Media (community broadcast system) Media (community broadcast system) Internet Internet Other outlets (non-traditional venues like church associations and councils) Other outlets (non-traditional venues like church associations and councils)

9. What have we done so far? Various seminars and fora like: Various seminars and fora like:  Pulong Saliksikan at PIDS (with government technical and policy level representatives)  Seminar-Workshop at Leyte State University (with provincial and municipal agriculturists)  Quarterly Climate Outlook Fora of PAGASA (with various stakeholders)  This Orientation Forum here in Bukidnon, one of the project’s identified case study sites

10. Project Launch held on July 27, 2005 to introduce the project and solicit interest, support and feedback from various stakeholders Project Launch held on July 27, 2005 to introduce the project and solicit interest, support and feedback from various stakeholders Handouts on basic concepts like the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon (for media, LGUs, NGOs) Handouts on basic concepts like the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon (for media, LGUs, NGOs) Project newsletter – to provide synopsis on project updates Project newsletter – to provide synopsis on project updates Project website – detailing the project description, objectives and progress of work Project website – detailing the project description, objectives and progress of work

11. [ URL is: http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ACIAR ] http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ACIAR -Thank you -