This project is a nine-month pilot project that will assess the potential geographic shifts of a major staple crop, teff (Eragrostis tef) in Ethiopia as a result of climate change. The project will draw inferences and implications of this shift on food security and genetic resources of the crop.
The information generated will be used to inform policy makers, scientists, development workers and rural communities on the likely effects of climate change using teff as a case study. The information will also be disseminated and used to recommend short term, medium term and long term scientific and policy actions that are needed for climate change adaption using teff as a case study.
It is hoped that the methodology used in the current project and some of the generic best practices and lessons learnt could be used to develop similar projects in other countries.
Goal and objectives
The goal of the project is to study the likely effects of climate change on distribution and genetic diversity of teff in order to guide scientific, policy and farm level interventions as well as draw inferences and implications for food security.
1. To assess the potential geographic shifts in distribution of teff
2. To assess the loss of diversity in teff as a consequence of climate change
3. To document and evaluate the climate change adaptation and coping strategies by farmers in the pilot areas
4. To assess socio-economic impacts and scientific and policy implications for food security
5. To sensitize policy makers and stakeholders on climate change concerns through effective communication and dissemination of the project findings.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC), Ethiopia.
The project is funded by IDRC.
Full technical report