As climate change continues to threaten smallholder farmers in southern Zimbabwe, the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach is providing a transformative solution. Developed by the University of Reading, PICSA combines historical climate data, seasonal forecasts, and indigenous farming knowledge to help farmers make informed decisions suited to their local environments.
Through the Climate Resilient Livelihoods (CRL) project, PICSA has been integrated into Farmer Field Schools (FFS), training 58,986 farmers (18,650 males and 40,336 females) in climate-smart agriculture. For farmers like sekuru Charles Moyo from Chimanimani’s Ward 1, the approach not only validates their traditional knowledge but also enhances their ability to adapt. Lead farmer Sekai Chiora, who now helps others in her community, emphasized how PICSA has improved her ability to predict seasonal patterns, choose the right crops, and guide neighbors who didn’t attend training sessions.
A key tool within PICSA, the Resource Allocation Map (RAMS), enables farmers to evaluate their land, water, labor, and capital to maximize productivity. This tool led Sekai to identify untapped resources, shift to goat farming, and improve soil fertility through a combination of manure and mineral fertilizers. Additionally, the initiative has strengthened family cooperation, with farmers involving their children in more structured agricultural practices.
Accurate climate information is at the core of resilience, and PICSA’s impact is becoming increasingly visible. Dr. Juliet Gwenzi, Climate Information Services Expert for the project, highlighted how farmers have embraced climate forecasting to make better farming decisions. In collaboration with the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), the project has enabled 194,000 farmers to receive tailored weather advisories, with 34,402 new beneficiaries (17,368 males and 17,034 females) in 2024 alone.
Backed by the Government of Zimbabwe, the Green Climate Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme, the CRL project is enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers, particularly women, against climate risks. By bridging science and indigenous knowledge, PICSA is equipping rural communities with the tools they need to sustain their agricultural livelihoods and build a climate-resilient future.
