CIS helps its users foresee and control the hazards associated with a changing and unpredictable climate.
[1] It encompasses a knowledge loop that includes targeted user communities' access to, interpretation of, communication of, and use of pertinent, accurate, and trustworthy climate information, as well as their feedback on that use.
These climate services mark a shift from supply-driven information products that result from scientific research.
They are set up to help users cope with current climate variability and limit the damage caused by climate-related disasters.
This is a participatory approach which combines historical climate data and forecasts with farmers’ local contextual knowledge.
Intra-decadal and decadal forecasts are sparingly used in agricultural risk management, even though they may be more useful for making a strategic decision and anticipatory adaptation plans.
Early warnings are rarely solely disseminated to users; rather, they are provided in combination with agrometeorological services.
[12] To achieve its mission, the GFCS works across five priority areas: CIS has become a popular initiative in national and regional initiatives aimed at enhancing stakeholders’ access to tailored and contextual climate information for adapting farming practices to climate and socioeconomic risks in Africa.
[11] The primary economic sectors in Africa are extremely susceptible to the effects of climate change and fluctuation.
[20] With robust climate information, Africa can safeguard the economic gains and advances in social development seen across the continent over the last decade.
Additionally, they offer information on extreme weather conditions to disaster relief organizations and vulnerable communities.
These initiatives have been used in several approaches to facilitate the production and dissemination of climate information to stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Similarly, the African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development initiative implemented several projects aimed at producing forecasts of an appropriate timeline that are most suitable to decision-making in the agricultural sector [11] In 2015, the European Commission launched the Climate Services Roadmap.
This is a participatory approach which combines historical climate data and forecasts with farmers’ local contextual knowledge.