The Nairobi based Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) on Saturday launched a digital platform to enhance access to climate information among key players in the cereals' value chain.
A statement from EAGC released in Nairobi said the launch of Climate Information for Grains (Ci4G) tool will strengthen the response to extreme weather events that have impacted negatively on the cereals business.
"The digital platform will facilitate collection and dissemination of climate information to key players in the grains value chains especially small-holder farmers," said Gerald Masila, the CEO of EAGC.
He said that access to timely weather information is key to boost the resilience of small-holder farmers involved in production of key cereals like maize, beans, sorghum and green grams.
Masila said the new climate information digital tool will complement ongoing climate resilience programs for the regional grains value chains being implemented by EAGC and partners.
According to Masila, EAGC with support from Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) has been implementing a project aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and boost grain production through minimizing climate change impacts in Kenya and Uganda.
He said that a value chain needs assessment conducted at the start of the project revealed that there was a pressing need for climate information that includes precipitation, temperatures and wind speed to be availed to actors in the grains value chain on real-time basis.
Suzanne Carter, CDKN Africa's senior program manager said the launch of a digital climate information tool for the region's grain value chain players will boost food security and rural incomes.
"The climate information for grains will further empower farmers and other value chain players to better plan their activities by knowing what weather conditions will be in the future," said Carter.
She said that optimal use of weather information is key to ensure production of cereals is resilient to climatic shocks like long dry spells and floods. ■