Wageningen researcher Spyros Paparrizos is working to introduce the DROP weather app in Kenya, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. The app, part of the SAFE4ALL project, combines satellite-based meteorological data with traditional local weather knowledge provided by smallholder farmers. Paparrizos, a researcher at the Water Systems and Global Change group in Wageningen, emphasized that the app aims to integrate both modern forecasts and indigenous weather indicators.
Local farmers contribute their observations to the app, sharing knowledge passed down through generations. For example, they note that caterpillar behavior can signal an approaching dry period, or that ants carrying eggs out of their nests may indicate incoming rain. Paparrizos explained that some of these local predictions are accurate, while others are not, but integrating them with scientific data helps build farmer trust.
The DROP app is being tailored to the specific needs of farmers in the three countries through a co-creation process involving agricultural advisers, meteorological organizations, and farmers themselves. It is already operational in Bangladesh and Guatemala, and is now being tested in African regions.
The SAFE4ALL project, which supports the app, is designed to address three key challenges in Africa's rural areas: climate change, disaster management, and food security. It aims to reduce rural-to-urban migration by improving agricultural resilience. The project is also developing a Climate Atlas and Climate Stories to provide accessible information about changing weather patterns.
A recent workshop in Ghana allowed stakeholders to discuss their needs and exchange knowledge. Local farmers explained that they rely on the weather forecast for two critical periods: sowing and crop ripening. They also use the forecast to determine the best timing for fertilizer application, which has been shown to significantly improve crop management.
Although most farmers now have smartphones, the project must account for traditional practices. For instance, in Ghana, local chiefs must permit planting, regardless of weather conditions. The project also considers how the younger generation increasingly uses smartphones for both entertainment and education, expanding access to digital tools like the DROP app.
The SAFE4ALL project is funded by the European Union with a budget of five million euros and is scheduled to last four years. The aim is to transfer the developed tools, including the DROP app, to local partners in the participating countries at the project's conclusion.
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